Is anyone a fan of Ina May Gaskin?

[VanillaIce]

Has anyone got/read her Guide to Childbirth? I've heard good things about her and am interested in a natural childbirth - did anyone find her books beneficial?

My mum keeps going on about a book by someone called Dick-Read. Might order it on Amazon - it has good reviews on there.

Grantly Dick-Read - it is an OK book, it labours the point a little too much though. It was written in the 1920s (I think) - by a man ie never given birth!

It is called Childbirth Without Fear and he basically says childbirth is not something alien, our bodies are designed to give birth and it is only the fear of giving birth that makes it painful.

That is a load of shite IMHO .

He is right that you shouldn't be frightened - but he is not right that it won't hurt if you are not.

You don't need to buy it now!

I think that her work is amazing. I am not as earthy as most of the women described in the birth stories of her books but I am very pleased with non-medicated births with little intervention.

Only read Spiritual Midwifery. She is an amazing woman - no doubt. Its a hugely interesting book. I did find some her terminology irritating though 'pussy' for instance. I bloody hate that word but that is my own issue. Also not sure about the emphasis on the man and woman 'loving' each other during labour. Can't remember feeling that loving during labour personally.