My Kindle notes turned from "ugh" (the Buddhist monk rolling around in the pink baby blanket... a photo of a wise older man in a white coat and stethoscope punctuating a story about God helping out midwives) to curses when one mother says that she, her husband, and Ina May "prayed" over a blue, motionless baby while someone ran to get Ina May's husband, who did some goddamned CPR to finally start saving that kid's brain function. Filled with inspiring birth stories and practical advice, this invaluable resource includes:• Reducing the pain of labor without drugs–and the miraculous roles touch and massage play Once the author started talking about medical tests/procedures, she lost some of my attention. She seemed excessively cautious about medical tests. The benefits of medical tests were skimmed over while the possible harm of these tests was thoroughly covered. I especially thought that the author was overly critical of the Rhogam shot. I raised my eyebrows when she stated that routine Rhogam injections at 28 weeks was internationally controversial. The international hospital that I will be giving birth at does routine Rhogam injections at 28 weeks. In fact, my foreign Dr. (who was not trained in America), encourages it. After having an antibody scare myself and following women who deal with anti-D antibodies during pregnancy, the few sentences she had on sensitization were not enough to fully understand the risky (and potentially heartbreaking) future pregnancies of those who are sensitized. I do appreciate that Ina May Gaskin has helped improve the way childbirth can happen in America. The ongoing theme that childbirth takes the time it takes is extremely resonant to me, after a doctor rushed my first birth (she complained so I could hear it twice that my 20-hour labor, precisely on my due date, was making her late for other appointments, before deciding I "needed" a vacuum extraction). And as a woman-centered story of Vietnam-era counter-culture, I suspect I could enjoy this book immensely.

Gaskin, Ina May (2015). Birth Matters: A Midwife's Manifesta. New York: Seven Stories Press. ISBN 9781583229279. PDF / EPUB File Name: Ina_Mays_Guide_to_Childbirth_-_Ina_May_Gaskin.pdf, Ina_Mays_Guide_to_Childbirth_-_Ina_May_Gaskin.epub

12. Best humorous pregnancy book: Pregnancy: The Mumsnet Guide

There were times however when I felt the enthuses on natural births, made all other options 'The wrong choice', do understand that is how I read it, more than the way it is written. Ina may does highlight this book is to ensure were are informed with the information to allow us to make our own decisions, not to scare! It certainly does open your eyes to the reality of things.

My last gripe is that SOME of the things she suggested were a little out-there for me. She shuns prudishness in our culture, and encourages women to make birth (or, rather, allow birth) to be a sexual experience, yet totally respects the fact that most women are too prudish to have a stranger (especially a man) in the birthing room with them, without adverse effects to the progress of labor. So, a little bit of a double standard there. I'm personally on the side of prudishness in all its forms. Another downside of this book was that it was a little too "Rah, rah, rah, women's bodies can do anything!!" for my taste. I guess that's not a really bad thing, because it did pump me up for childbirth, but as Gaskin constantly refers to her experience birthing women on "The Farm" (I can't help but think of it in semi-sarcastic quotation marks), I kept thinking how her sample is made up of very naturalistic, in-touch women (read: hippies) and a woman like myself is likely to have a different experience in childbirth, even given the fact that my body really knows what to do.Ina May's Guide to Childbirth is skewed toward natural childbirth and can get a little culty, especially all the stories about The Farm, but I found the information in the second part of the book really helpful even when planning for a hospital birth. The historical and worldwide accounts of birth Gaskin provides is comforting to read about as well as the explanation of the process. Ina May's birthing experiences are invaluable. Her writing style is down to earth, humorous and accessable. I urge everyone to look into this book. I've laughed so hard sharing stories with my husband, I almost wet myself. I felt this book was fair in giving credit to all birth providers and was not a blame game or witch hunt by any means... Whether you’re preparing for your first baby, considering hypnobirthing, seeking guidance on eating well during pregnancy or simply looking for a lighthearted read to raise some much needed laughs, we’ve got you covered.