The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
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Book Reviews of The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Book Review: As a mom, RN, and childbirth educator, I recommend this book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is excellent! It is very well researched with evidence-based information about routine medical interventions in labor and birth. The author gives you the facts, her opinion about the facts, and options for the pregnant woman to consider. While some of the info Henci shares with the reader is not pleasant, it is honest. If for you ignorance is bliss, then don't read this book. If you want to know how typical birth in the US adversely affects you and your baby's health, and what you can do about it, then you will love this book. At the back of the book, the author includes a copy of the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative. Be sure to take a look at this important concensus document and the list of groups and individuals who ratified and endorsed it - all the major professional organizations of midwives, perinatal nurses, childbirth educators, and doulas. Also take notice who did not endorse it - the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Book Review: A challenge to thinking women
Summary: 5 Stars
I heartily recommend this book. Be aware, however, that it is not a "Giggles and Grins" kind of book designed to make you feel good (the Girlfriend's Guide and What to Expect books are good for those who are content turning over their bodies to the "experts"). When you have information, you are responsible to do something with it - even ignore it. If you are pregnant and you want to manage this normal and significant part of your life, this is a must-read.
The author definitely has a point of view, and it is one that you are not likely to hear other places. This makes it more valuable for decision-making - you learn another side to the many issues involved in childbearing.
It is well-worth the effort to read this book and follow the references. Newer studies are out and some other books have been updated or published reflecting their results. However, the conclusions drawn in this book are still valid, and you can rely on them.
Book Review: Encouraging, incredibly informative
Summary: 5 Stars
In my opinion, this book best fits the woman who finds comfort in knowledge and who wants to educate herself on hospital delivery--what tends to happen, the outcomes of interventions on yourself and your baby, and how to avoid problems.For example, there is a chapter on epidurals that tells how they're done (with picture) and the pros and cons of the procedure.
Do realize that the author does openly promote a "natural" style of birth (p.136). I wanted that, so I found this book incredibly encouraging and informative. It gives research that supported my desires and it tells procedures of how to avoid episiotomy, unneccessary c-section, IVs and narcotics, etc. This book also helped me to develop my birth plan and gave me confidence in my decisions.
The last third of the book is filled with literature summaries to support the claims she made in the text. Full references are there, in case you want to look up the research article yourself.
Book Review: Empowering and full of valuable information
Summary: 5 Stars
Henci Goer's book "The thinking woman's guide to a better birth" is an amazing book to say the least. The author does not hide her mission which is to provide the reader with information that the mainstream medical establishment refuses to tell you. It has tons of statistics and information that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. It also has tons and tons of additional information and references if you wish to do further exploration. The mainstream medical establishment views pregnancy as something a woman must be saved from and women are taught to believe that giving birth must be a high tech, traumatic event. This book empowers women with information, knowledge and most of all options that you won't find anywhere else. It reminds us that women have been having babies,( and continue to do so almost everywhere else in the world,) in a low tech and non-invasive way with much fewer complications then with high tech medicine.Book Review: good reference
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was recommended to me by my doula. I did not read this book cover to cover, but used it as a reference to look up various terms and interventions. It was nice to have some more info other than the typical "everyone does it so it must be safe" that I was hearing.
In the end, my goal was a natural birth in a hospital setting with as few interventions as possible. To prepare for this, my husband and I took a 12 week Bradley course and read the book Natural Childbirth the Bradley way. I had a successful, natural delivery and was glad I had done all the research.
I recommend this book for all pregnant women. Even if you plan to use more interventions than I did, you should still read up on any possible risks involved so you can make the best choices for you.
My only criticism is that this book is a little dated. They need to come out with a revised copy with more up to date info.