Books on childbirth

[Frida9]

Hi, I'm currently pregnant and not due till February but want to know if anyone has recommendations on books about childbirth? I've had the usual horror stories about epidurals, forceps and incontinence from family and friends but want to make my own informed decision on what I want.
I've had two midwife appointments so far and no mention of the birth at all, I know this will come later but I want to be prepared.

I really recommend this book, even if your not having a homebirth

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01913WXOW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sorry OP I meant to include what the book is about:

This is all set to change as more and more evidence comes to light about the positive outcomes of homebirths. With inspirational stories from women who have had successful homebirth experiences, you'll find out:
-Why women are perfectly designed to give birth
-What the evidence says about the best place to give birth
-The myths surrounding childbirth at home
-How to plan for a homebirth and what you need on the day
-What your choices of pain relief are
-What the possible risks and complications might be

Sheila Kitzinger - anything by her. Very empowering.

I valued the online positive birth company's hynobirthing course. And Kate Evans' book Bump which is a comic-style one that touches on elements of practicality, spirituality etc.

Fundamentally though, I think it's useful not to overthink it or focus on birth so much because there's a limit to how much control you have, really. So I'd think about birth preferences rather than a birth plan. Be prepared to go with the flow and know you haven't failed if your birth involves CS, forceps, epidural etc. If you read up too much then it can all seem like a big test that you can pass or fail.

It's also possible that your birth is taken over by circumstances like being breech, needing an induction, having to be kept in for monitoring etc. Giving birth is a little bit like having a poo - it might come out easily, it might not, the process might be unpleasant or gross but it's going to come out one way or another and worrying a lot beforehand isn't going to make much difference.

Don't forget to find out a bit about caring for a baby as well! You will be responsible for one the second you give birth, the baby doesn't give you a reading week to get you started :)

The Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill is a good all round book which covers all types of birth and empowers you to feel in control of decision making.

If you're interested in the physiological process then the second half of Ina May Gaskins's Guide to childbirth is actually really interesting (the first half is birth stories which I found less interesting).

I had a planned caesarean and would also recommend Why Caesarean Matters (Pinter and Martin) as a good non-judgemental guide covering all the different reasons for C-sections and how women might feel about them.

Seconding Milli Hill’s book here. I’m only 19 wks and it’s my first, so who knows, but I definitely feel a lot calmer and more informed having read this.

Second Sheila Kitzinger - very reassuring and informative - timeless. Mine fell apart.

And Milli Hilli for something more up to the moment.

Birth Skills by Juju Sandin I found helpful. I liked the Positive Birth Book by Mili Hill too but that one runs the risk slightly of you feeling like a failure if you have a c-section so I would recommend trying to balance your reading so you are ready for c-section, induction, formula feeding etc if any of those end up happening.

Birthing from Within

I found Birth Skills by Juju Sandin super helpful. Her practical approach and acknowledgment that birth is crazily painful but that you can manage it was great.

Not a book but follow the naked doula on social media, she does Hypno birthing apps/cards and her socials (particularly insta) is full of positivity. Personally I've found some books a bit out dated so just make sure they're up to date :) x

Another vote for the positive birthing company’s online course - I’m pretty sure they have a book too. I found the breathing techniques invaluable for keeping me calm and while I do feel that they try to slightly push having an unmedicated or home birth, I found that the techniques covered helped me stay calm when mine didn’t quite go to plan. I had hoped for a water birth but ended up with an epidural, episiotomy and ventouse delivery and just wanted to reassure you that it was in no way traumatic and was a lovely, calm experience even though it wasn’t what I had hoped for. Best of luck with your baby ❤️

Expecting Better by Emily Oster- an analyst take on things and enough info to leave you empowered to make your own decisions.

The only book I liked was Expecting Better. Seconding pp who said it's very analytical and makes you feel empowered to make your own choices.

I found Milli Hill extremely judgy and Ina May Gaskin absolutely bonkers. I got to the bit about the woman in the tree house dancing like a stork and threw it in the bin.

Ina May Gaskin's book is wonderful

The seminal Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.

It is a bit loopy in parts
but you can take what you need from it.