Recommended Books for Preparation for Labor and Birth

Click the links below to order through BookSense, a family of independent-bookseller Web sites. Purchasing a book through BookSense supports your local independent bookstore, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Green River Doula Network as well.

Videos and out-of-print books may be found in C/W MARS, the library system of Central and Western Massachusetts. Ask your local librarian!

Preparing for Labor and Birth

• Ina May's guide to childbirth
  Ina May Gaskin, Bantam Dell, 2003
• Birthing from within: an extra-ordinary guide to childbirth preparation
  Pam England and Rob Horowitz, Partera Press, 1998
• Preparing for birth with yoga
  Janet Balaskas, Element, 1994
• The pregnancy book: a month by month guide
  William Sears and Martha Sears, Little, Brown and Co., 1997
• Active birth: the new approach to giving birth naturally
  Janet Balaskas, Harvard Common Press, 1992
• Birthing normally: a personal growth approach to childbirth
  Gayle Peterson, Mindbody Press, 1984 (out of print)
• Childbirth with insight
  Elizabeth Noble, Houghton Mifflin, 1983 (out of print)

Doulas and Care Providers

• When survivors give birth: understanding and healing the effects of early sexual abuse on childbearing women
  Penny Simkin & Phyllis Klaus, Cutting Edge Press, 2004
• Baby catcher: chronicles of a modern midwife
  Peggy Vincent, Scribner, 2003
• The doula book: how a trained labor companion can help you have a shorter, easier and healthier birth
  Marshall Klaus, John H. Kennell, Phyllis Klaus; Perseus Books, 2002
• The gentle greeting: an obstetrician's guide to planning a loving pregnancy and birth experience
  Ronald Cole, Sourcebooks, 1998 (out of print)
• Obstetric myths versus research realities: a guide to medical literature
  Henci Goer, Bergin and Garvey, 1995
• Having your baby with a nurse-midwife: everything you need to know to make an informed decision
  American College of Nurse-Midwives and Sandra Jacobs, Hyperion, 1993 (out of print)
• Understanding diagnostic tests in the childbearing year: a guide for givers and receivers of health care in childbirth
  Anne Frye, Labrys Press, 1992

Labor Support

• The nurturing touch at birth: a labor support handbook
  Paulina Perez, Cutting Edge Press, 1997
• Easing labor pain: the complete guide to a more comfortable and rewarding birth
  Adrienne Lieberman, Harvard Common Press, 1992
• The birth partner: everything you need to know to help a woman through childbirth
  Penny Simkin, Harvard Common Press, 1989
• The birth book: everything you need to know to have a safe and satisfying birth
  William Sears and Martha Sears, Little, Brown and Co., 1994
• Natural childbirth the Bradley way
  Susan McCutcheon, Plume, 1996

Postpartum and Breastfeeding

• Pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn, revised and updated: the complete guide
  Penny Simkin, Meadowbrook, 2001
• Bestfeeding: getting breastfeeding right for you
  Mary Renfrew, Chloe Fisher and Suzanne Arms, Celestial Arts, 2000
• Breastfeeding sourcebook: everything you need to know
  M. Sara Rosenthal, Lowell House, 2000
• The American Academy of Pediatrics new mother's guide to breastfeeding
  Joan Younger Meek, Bantam, 2000
• Mothering the new mother: women's feelings and needs after childbirth: a support and resource guide
  Sally Placksin, Newmarket Press, 2000
• Birth as a healing experience: the emotional journey of pregnancy through postpartum
  Lois Halzel Freedman, Harrington Park Press, 1999
• Your pregnancy recovery guide
  Glade Curtis and Judith Schuler, Element, 1999 (out of print)

Videos

• Birth Day
• Comfort Measures for Childbirth
• Gentle Birth Choices
• Special Delivery: creating the birth you want for you and your baby
• Special Women: how a labor assistant makes birth safer, more satisfying and less expensive
• Suzanne Arms' Giving Birth: Challenges and Choices
• Use of Water for Labor and Birth
• Lizzie and the Baby: The Childbirth for Children Video

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