childbirth books

[elseIlltellyourfather]

About to have DC2 and would like to feel more confident and in control during labour. I can't afford hypnobirthing classes, much as I'd like to. Can anyone recommend any books they found helpful (not neccesarily hynobirthing I don't mean)? Can be a bit 'far out', or alternative, I'll soon know if it will help me or not. Many thanks

Blooming Birth by Lucy Atkins is aimed at second-time birthers.

I read one by Ina May Gaskin which helped me to feel a bit more prepared for my second birth. First one was scary, and I felt very out of control. Don't know whether it was the reading, or the fact that it wasn't all new and completely mind-blowing, and that I was prepared for the long-haul, but my second labour was far easier to cope with. Had dc#3 four months ago, and although I still got panicky about the pain (like one of the ladies on One Born Every Minute - lots of 'I can't do this') dd was safely born after a very quick labour. I also borrowed a hypnobirthing CD from a friend who'd done the course, and listened to it a couple of times, but as I hadn't done the course can't really say that it helped me. Have you got your birthplan sorted? That helped me feel a lot more in control. Am sure they treat second timers differently! Good luck!

PS I had a hynobirthing CD from my sister - I would recommend buying one if you can't afford classes. I really feel it helped me stay calm. congratulations by the way!

Thanks, will get hold of Ina May book, read an article about her once, sounds great. Oscalito, in what way is the Blooming birth book specifiaclly for 2nd timers? Sounds interesting. thanks both

I think it's just very detailed, so too scary for first timers but good for people who have learned from their first experience. I know the author and she told me she wrote it for second-timers but it wasn't published as such, I suppose because they felt it would exclude the biggest buyers of birth books, first timers.

Birth Skills. Also currently pregnant with DC2. Didn't read this book when I had DD but it really appeals now - loads of possible non-drug pain relief techniques so you go into labour equipped with lots of ideas which might suit you. Although I did use a certain number of non-drug pain relief techniques in my first labour, I would like to have more options at my fingertips for the second labour.

I wouldn't say it was "far out" - just very practical techniques for coping with labour pain and I think it would increase your confidence that you CAN do this. Written in a very supportive, non-judgemental way (ie doesn't preach that natural childbirth is the only possible way to go).

Birth Skills is a wonderful, wonderful book. I can't recommend it enough. I didn't need a sniff of gas and air until 7cms because of that brilliant book. Totally practical, not too lentil weavery, just very pragmatic, cheerful and uplifting, and also really good if your birth doesn't end up quite how you'd wanted it to - rather handy given I ended up in a high dependency unit. :o But I came out of it feeling proud and not too scarred by my experience - thanks to that book. Which reminds me I leant it to a friend and I'd like it back before we decide to try for DC2.

Active Birth by Janet balaska (sp?)
instinctive birthing val clarke

Not had the baby yet so can't swear to its efficacy but Childbirth Without Fear made a great deal of sense to me. The ideas in it were reinforced by my hypnobirthing class, so definitely worth reading for me.