Book on natural childbirth

[spekulatius]

Does anyone know of a good 'natural ' birth book rather than hypnobirth? Didn't have a great time with DD1 so want to make sure it doesn't happen again, I. e no forceps, episiotomy etc. I'm 33 weeks but nobody has asked me about where /how I want to give birth and seeing a different midwife each time so feel that I need to do more research myself. And ideas?

[InFrance2014]

Not sure if it's what you mean by 'natural', but I and other friends found the physiological pain management techniques in Juju Sundin's Birth Skills book extremely useful.
She is all about practical empowerment and using many methods to try and deal with pain (as well as promoting good crowning, pushing etc), but is also totally realistic and positive about taking help if you need it, and ways to cope if you do have a more medically involved birth.

[brokencrayons]

"Childbirth Without Fear" really helped to rationalise birth for me. Very informative and interesting read.

[TremoloGreen]

I second the Juju Sindin book - it gives you all the info you need about managing pain psychologically. It is also not ideological about natural birth and gives you some backup options and ways you can still use the techniques if for some reason, things don't go to plan.

I read Marie Mongan's 'Hypnobirthing' and Michel Odent's 'Birth Reborn' and found them both interesting reads - I did use some of the hypnobirthing techniques with DD1 and plan to again (any day now)

Ina May Gaskin's 'Guide to Childbirth' is another good read and really good for empowering you and encouraging you to think positively about birth and understand that your body really can do it.

[CityDweller]

Defo Ina May Gaskin. Made me 'realise' birth is a natural, not medical process, that my body was inherently capable of. I found it very empowering and it gave me great confidence that I could 'do it'.

[spekulatius]

Thank you, I will have a look at them. Funnily enough, a friend has lent me the Juju book. Had a quick flick through and got a bit confused with the red and green but will have a read from the beginning. I want to be more in control and know what I am supposed to do when as I found the midwives last time very useless. I'm sure if they hadn't insisted on me lying down all the time things wouldn't have slowed down and the forceps would not have been necessary. Took 6 months to heal.

[manateeandcake]

I third the Juju book. I read it in the run up to the birth of DC2 4 weeks ago and I believe it made all the difference in terms of feeling in control, allowing me to have a natural birth in a birth centre. I personally found it much more realistic than hypnobirthing. The main thing I took from it was vocalising with a loud 'ahhh' sound during contractions. I also found the bit about pushing helpful.