Addresses every possible root cause of western woman's fear and anxiety in pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

---

Product Description

In an age where birth has often been overtaken by obstetrics, Dr Dick-Read's philosophy is still as fresh as it was when he originally wrote this book. He unpicks every possible root cause of western woman's fear and anxiety in pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding and does so with overwhelming heart and empathy. Essential reading for all mothers-to-be!

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57344 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
A brilliant, courageous classic. -- Ina May Gaskin - author Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

The most influential birthing book of the last 100 years. -- Fit Pregnancy

From the Publisher
'Reading Childbirth without Fear at age 16 provided me with the basis of knowledge of childbirth that I used as a first-time mother and still use as a midwife of more than 35 years. A brilliant, courageous classic that is still relevant today.' Ina May Gaskin - author of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

'Childbirth Without Fear is the book that began the childbirth revolution. Dr. Grantly Dick-Read's insights about women, their bodies and birth began the transformation of pregnancy and birth. Though we are still at the beginning of this long battle, the reprint of Dick-Read's masterpiece will help.' Jan Tritton - editor Midwifery Today

'So great was my fear of childbirth that as a young girl I decided I would never have children. All that changed when at the age of 18 my husband-to-be presented me with a copy of Childbirth without Fear. I remember so clearly turning the pages and feeling my fear suddenly subside. I will always be grateful to Grantly Dick-Read for opening my eyes to the truth about birth.' Laura Shanley - author Unassisted Childbirth

'Dr Grantly Dick-Read has always been an inspiration to me. His humanity, love and above all faith in women and their innate mothering skills is truly remarkable. In an age where birth has often been overtaken by obstetrics Dr Dick-Read’s philosophy is still as fresh as it was when he originally wrote this book. I highly recommend it.' Yehudi Gordon - obstetrician & author

‘A fascinating insight into normal birth at a time when endorphins were not known, modern midwifery did not exist and women had already learned to fear labour. Dick-Read, possibly the world’s first childbirth activist, celebrates women’s innate capacity for safe and easy birth in a challenging book that will excite, amaze, infuriate and uplift its readers.' Andrea Robertson - independent childbirth educator and author

'A 21st century edition of this historic - even legendary - book must be warmly welcomed.' Michel Odent - obstetrician and author

'When I was heavily pregnant with my first child 25 years ago this book fell into my hands. That was the start of my belief in natural childbirth which eventually led to four great births of my own and the founding of my life's work in the Active Birth Movement. Grantly Dick-Read's message is inspirational and even more relevant today than when this book was first published. Every pregnant mother should read it.' Janet Balaskas - Author of New Active Birth

'Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how birth education started as well as the vision that stimulated the birth movement. Dick-Read remains an inspiration for the humanisation of childbirth.' Sheila Kitzinger - author

About the Author
Born in Britain in 1890, Grantly Dick-Read studied at Cambridge and at the London Hospital. He soon realised that there was something inherently wrong with the traditional methods of delivering babies, with their emphasis on intervention and the extensive use of anaesthetics. The publication of Childbirth without Fear caused widespread controversy, but, encouraged by many women who had given birth using the 'Dick-Read method', Grantly Dick-Read dedicated his life to promoting natural childbirth. His writings inspired advocators of natural childbirth such as Ina May Gaskin, Janet Balaskas, Yehudi Gordon, Michel Odent and Sheila Kitzinger, and seem even more relevant today than when they were first published. In 1954 he conducted an extensive tour investigating childbirth practices of African tribes, which he described in his book No Time for Fear. Grantly Dick-Read died at home in England in 1959.

---

Customer Reviews

A must read for all mothers to be - new and old
This is in my estimate the most informational book for the new mother to be. As it's title states "Childbirth Without Fear" - it is every woman's right to have a wonderful birth experience and facing the unknown can create fear, which can turn what should be wonderful experience into horror. I purchase this book for any of my friends and/or relatives - once i hear that they are on the adventure of their lives. I have purchased them for my daughter-in-laws and am now purchasing them for my grandaughters.

Should be on the shelf of every expecting mother!
I cannot say enough good things about this book. While I took the Bradley method childbirth classes, it was this book that taught me not to fear labor and delivery. With all the older mothers around me telling me how horrible labor and birth was, only the information I learned in this book empowered me to have a pain-free birth. Let it be known that I was 15 when I gave birth to my daughter 14 years ago. Apparently women who have already had children feel it is their responsibility to warn a pregnant woman about the horrors of childbirth. When I told them afterwards that I had no pain during labor and delivery, they all told me I had forgotten it. I will tell you that I have never forgotten any part of the labors and births of my two beautiful daughters. And both times it was because of Read's thorough explanations of the physiology of fear+tension=pain that got me through a pain-free birth.

Chikdbirth without fear
I first read this book in an earlier edition in 1957 as, at age 18, I approached the birth of my first child. Grantly Dick-Read's words led me to a virtually pain free labour, lasting just over three hours. The book has lost none of it's power and relevance over 50 years later. I reccomend it to anyone interested in childbirth, and how the natural process can be a wonderful and uplifting experience, with no bad memories to cope with!