Janet Balaskas

[Melp77]

Hello,
This is my first post so thank you very much for reading, I am currently 20 weeks pregnant and wondered if any one had any views on the above author - she has numerous books on Active child birth and just wondered what others opinions are of her?

Welcome to mumsnet! I think she gives good, sound advice. Was there something in particular you were interested in?

I've only read Active Birth, but it's a great book. She's definitely a credible author

Welcome to MN!

Forgot to say 'The Labor Progress Handbook' by Simkin and Ancheta is a good one for labour and birth if that's what you were looking for.

Her books are on my reading list for my pregnancy yoga module which is for the British Wheel of Yoga.

A bit of a hippyish turn of phrase from what I remember. I bought one of her books not knowing anything about her and she wasn't really my cup of tea

I've been to her antenatal sessions. It's all really good and interesting and empowering. Most good hospitals now acknowledge that an active birth is the easiest and most physiologically appropriate way to labour if no complications. But with all the "natural birth" movements I think it's worth taking with a small pinch of salt. While there is an obstetric culture that's too interventionist it's important to remember that not everyone can labour naturally and that not so many years ago it was therefore a much more dangerous thing to go through. So, yes, really good, but don't beat yourself up if it doesn't go to plan. What matters most is healthy baby at the end of it all.

Hello, thank you for all your replies. I have been reading her book and found it really interesting but wasnt sure if it was gospel. Its all very exciting and I am very new to this