BIRTH WITHOUT FEAR Paperback – 5 March 2019

This book was written by an American woman who claims to have supported women all over the world, which I don’t doubt, but this book is basically entirely focussed on what it looks like to give birth in the US. Aside from this, don’t buy this book if you are looking for detailed practical tips. There are the odd practical tips in here sprinkled with a lot of “you can do it” and “you are in charge” and a lot of the book is focussed on “if someone says something and you dont like it then you can disagree” which is fine but how many women are truly confident enough to question a doctors decision when they are mid-labour especially when that doctor is an expert. Again, if you’re outside the US or looking for detailed birth advice more than “don’t forget to have a birth plan and don’t forget you decide where you give birth” i wouldn’t recommend this book. Also the partner advice was frankly bizarre including one weird chapter about being a guard dog for your wife?

This book provides a detailed description of how you can choose to take charge of your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods. It provides examples of mainly the authors journeys but also a few other women as well. The author is thorough, has a bit of humor and is very blunt in some areas but also provides this culture of love an acceptance for any mother and her partner to meet them where they are and provide support to help them achieve their best pregnancy, birth, and/or postpartum period. The author has 6 children and has had a variety of birth experiences, some in her control and others not. She explains the benefits of making birth plans and back-up birth plans. I loved the way the book was written; you can read it in order or skip to the chapter you feel is most relevant to your situation. She provides space and understanding for everyone and really promotes self-care. Her goal is for everyone to achieve birth/pregnancy/and postpartum without fear. She explains that it doesn’t mean you have no fear but that you have the courage to acknowledge your fears, so they no longer have power over you. I found this book extremely helpful in supporting a mother-centered birth and promoting practices we have learned within the ICEA. I highly encourage this read.As she writes in her book: “If you are thinking about getting pregnant or you are pregnant, this book is for you. If you are a new mother, this book is for you. If you are a husband or a partner, this book id for you. If you are a birth care provider, this book is for you. Simply put, if you are a human being, this book id for you.”

This book is everything that I wish I had had during my first pregnancy. After being induced at 38 weeks 5 days and my birth ending with an episiotomy, I found myself feeling like my baby had been stolen from the safety of my womb. These interventions where all done under the umbrella of “better to be safe” and I thankful that she is, but I was left wondering if I had really been given all of my options. Fast forward a year, reading this book has honestly helped me heal, giving me space to feel hurt and disappointed as well as greatful. I feel like I now have the confidence to ask for what I need and to make sure that I am giving all of my options and I feel like it was alleviated my fears of having another negative birth experience, by reminding me that it is my body and I can trust it and ask for what I need.

Thank you for supporting women in making informed choices and thank you for your voice!

Interesting book about pregnancy, delivery and post-partum from both partners perspectives. Recommended it!