Have read Ina May, am reading Marie Mongan. Worth reading Kitzinger as well?

[naturelover]

Or Balaskas?

Will I learn anything new or will I just overload myself with information?

I would recommend Childbirth without fear by Grantly Dick-Read. Is this your first baby?
I never read Balaskas, or much Kitzinger, although had them both out from the library.

Yes It's my first. I'm hoping for a homebirth. Thanks for the recommendation.

In that case, read everything, while you've still got time to read

Don't be put off reading Childbirth Without Fear, it was written many moons ago (1942) and a lot isn't relevant today, but it really helped me with my 3rd birth. It seemed a bit heavy going to me at first compared to most pregnancy books, but it's worth sticking with. Also check out Bith Reborn (what childbirth should be) by Michael Odent. The black and white pictures of naked women giving birth are a bit 70's but the text is excellent.

If you've read Mongen you might want to consider visiting a hypnobirthing practitioner. I did durring my 2nd pregnancy it it was well worth it. I highly recomend getting your hands on Marie Mongans birthiing afirmation CD and the rainbow relaxation CD

Below are books on my Doula Training essential reading list and the first two are so easy to read and inspirational, they give you belief that you can do this, whereas Primal Health is more textbook like and harder going but also excellent!

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

Birthing From Within - Fab book!
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth or Spiritual Midwifery

Primal Health

I'd say it was always worth reading Kitzinger - she may not say anything you haven't thought about before but I find she writes so well she always makes me think of new angles even on topics I thought I'd exhaused. I heart Sheila Kitzinger

I haven't read Marie Mongan but I did read Ina May and Sheila Kitzinger and between them they helped me decide to have a HB with my first LO last year - especially found Sheila K helped me to understand how safe HB is in relation to a hospital birth - as long as everything is OK for you and the baby of course. It was a great HB in the end - all the best to you

ooh yes sorry, Birthing from Within is also great, although i didn't get the art-y bit but thats just me...

Thanks everyone.
Which Kitzinger book is the most useful would you say? She's written a lot!

There's also Home Birth: A Practical Guide by Nicki Wesson I had that out from local library a few months back, and it's benefit is that it's aimed at the UK market.

i Just read "homebirth" by sheila K