Are you looking for recommendations on natural childbirth books to help round out your birth preparation? If so, look no further! Whether you’re just gathering information in your first trimester, passing the days of the second trimester, or making final preparations in your third trimester, there are so many resources to help walk you through it. Here are the top 3 natural childbirth books that you’ll want to read before delivering.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Many first-time moms harbor fear about birth, or doubt their ability to experience a natural childbirth. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth will help fill you with confidence that birth is normal, natural, and what your body was built to do. In the first section of the book, read a vast array of honest, empowering, positive natural birth stories. Prepare to be in awe at the power and strength of your body!
The second part of the book is more informational. It includes details about the actual birth process and helpful techniques to aid natural birthing.
Disclaimer #1: This book can be a bit “out there” at times. The stories come from Ina May’s midwifery experiences in a hippie commune, “The Farm.” Think SUPER crunchy.
Disclaimer #2: It can be argued that the book is overly biased and fosters fear of doctors, hospitals, and birth interventions. In most cases, the book does so without data or evidence to support such claims. At Kopa Birth® we know that women can have amazing, low-intervention natural births in a hospital setting. So, let this book pump you up for an empowering natural birth! But don’t let it make you fear your doctor.
During natural childbirth, most of us get to a point where our “rational” brain switches off and we get into full-fledged labor mode. You’re focused, you’re working hard, and it may be difficult to verbalize what help you need. It it then that a well-prepared birth partner and labor support team really start to shine.
As the title alludes, The Birth Partner is specifically geared to your birth partner. It’s a helpful read for mom, of course, but it’s a must-read for your labor support person. It’s chock full of concrete information and tangible skills for natural birth such as touch, massage, and birthing positions. (Similar to the skills you’ll learn in a good natural childbirth education class. The book makes a great complement to a class.)
The book also answers a wide range of questions about pregnancy, the birth process, and basic postpartum care. Additionally, while the author is obviously pro-natural-birth, she still presents a nonjudgmental, evidence-based overview of medical interventions.
If you’re looking for a go-to reference on pregnancy, natural childbirth, and basic newborn care — you’ve found it! This information-rich book is great to have handy to answer questions that arise along your pregnancy journey.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn is also a powerful resource for natural childbirth. It discusses choosing a birthplace, selecting a low-intervention caregiver, and benefits of a labor doula. The chapter discussing comfort techniques for pain relief and labor progress is very thorough, as is the section on relaxation techniques. Learn about water birth, back pain, tips for a slow or prolonged labor, and much more.
The final chapters of the book provide a comprehensive reference for what life is like as a new mother, postpartum challenges, caring for your baby, and infant feeding.
In addition to these books, we encourage you to take a look Kopa Birth’s blog. We have a wealth of articles on topics that take you from the very first stages of pregnancy through natural hospital birth, and even through caring for your baby. It is our honor to walk with you through the stages of motherhood!
Kopa Birth’s online birthing classes allow you to prepare for natural childbirth in the comfort of your own home, 24/7. Enroll today in our free online childbirth class to learn more about preparing for natural childbirth.
Are you looking for recommendations on natural childbirth books to help round out your birth preparation? If so, look no further! Whether you’re just gathering information in your first trimester,
