Reading List

ESSENTIAL READING
Homebirth by  by Sheila Kitzinger
Highly recommended for anyone considering homebirth, or simply interested in the beautiful process of childbirth
Ina May´s Guide to Childbirth. By Ina May Gaskin
Well known for the seminal work, Spiritual Midwifery, her new book, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, is now available. It inspires women to take back the fear of childbirth by regaining confidence in their bodies and assuring them - your body still works!
http://www.inamay.com/view_article.php?Article_ID=23&page_number=1
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition (La Leche League International Book) (Paperback)
Here's the 7th edition of the big book on breastfeeding, written by the experts at La Leche League International

RECOMMENDED READING
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
Here is the 4th edition of the classic book on home birth that introduced a whole generation of women to the concept of natural childbirth. Back again are even more amazing birthing tales, including those from women who were babies in earlier editions and stories about Old Order Amish women attended by the Farm midwives.
Birthing from Within by Pam England, Rob Horowitz
This holistic approach to childbirth examines this profound rite-of-passage not as a medical event, but as an act of self-discovery.
The Birth Partner, Third Edition: A Complete Guide. by Penny Simkin
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
Offers clear, concise information on alternative birthing methods * choosing a birth location * drugs and delivery * elective induction * professional labor support * and much more
The Better birth Book by Tracy Donegan
Tracy explores the birth options available to women in Ireland.
Birth Your Way by Sheila Kitzinger
Explores options of natural birth
Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally by Janet Balaskas
revised edition of Active Birth is an inspiring book. She is writing to the lay public, to women anticipating a birth. However, this well written, informative and energetic book should be read by health professionals as well.
Water Birth: The Concise Guide to Using Water During Pregnancy Birth, and Infancy
by Janet Balaskas, Yehudi Gordon

WIDER INTERSET
Rediscovering Birth by Sheila Kitzinger
Kitzinger's book helps women learn about taking back their bodies from the male-oriented medical business, respecting the ancient vocation of midwifery, and helping each other during a pregnancy.
We Are All Water Babies by Jessica Johnson, Michel Odent
Jessica Johnson and Michael Odent have created a fascinating exploration of our links with water from birth to death. Johnson has captured remarkable images of underwater births, pregnant women swimming with dolphins, and infants and babies swimming underwater--eyes open, breath held, delighted...
The Scientification of Love by Michel Odent
Why do all cultures ritually disrupt the first contact between mother and new-born baby? Why has there hitherto been an evolutionary advantage in developing human potential for aggression rather than the capacity to love? Until recently love was the realm of poets, artists and philosophers.
Birth without Violence: Revised Edition by Frederic Leboyer.
Birth without Violence is a work of art.
Water Birth Unplugged: Proceedings of the First International Water Birth Conference
Beverley A. Lawrence Beech
Heart & Hands: A Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy & Birth by Elizabeth Davis
Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy and Birth", is not just for midwives. It's an excellent and thorough resource for parents-to-be who are thinking about delivering their child with a midwife, or who are concerned about the medical establishment's over-control of birth.
Miscarriage : Women Sharing from the Heart by Marie Allen
Shelly Marks
Miscarriage: Why it Happens and How Best to Reduce Your Risks A Doctor's Guide to the Facts by Henry Lerner and  Alice Domar
After a Loss in Pregnancy by Nancy Berezin