Pregnancy and Birthing Resources

For the majority of women, pregnancy and birth are normal, natural events which do not require excessive medical intervention, despite our cultural beliefs to the contrary. I encourage every woman of childbearing age to fully research their options for prenatal care, caregivers/birth attendants, and potential locations for birthing. Most American births are in a hospital with a surgeon (Obstetrician) as the primary caregiver, but we have many other options, and there are even options within the confines of a hospital birth which you may choose if you are informed about them.

Recommended reading list:

• The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer.
• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
• Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg. An excellent read for learning about the normal stages of labor, including the important emotional signposts which tend to be overlooked by OBs...read this even if you're not interested in the Bradley Method.

(Yes, this is under construction, sorry!)