Product Description

In this book the author teaches mothers how to develop all of their bodily resources for giving birth, to follow their own instincts and to take full responsibility for the childbirth experience.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1065884 in Books
• Published on: 1992-03-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 275 pages

Review
Active Birth contains a wealth of information for pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. -- Midwest Book Review

Clearly written, carefully documented, and copiously illustrated, this new edition celebrates the inherent wisdom on womens birthing instincts. It also serves up a complete course of preparation to guide those of us who need to be reminded just how natural childbirth can be. -- Adrienne Lieberman, author of Giving Birth and Easing Labor Pain

Janet Balaskas captures the psychological essence of giving birth and the spirit of active participation so important to a womans self-esteem during pregnancy and delivery. -- Gayle Peterson, Ph.D., author of Birthing Normallyand An Easier Childbirth

From the Back Cover
In an active birth, a mother moves about freely, finds comfortable positions for labor and delivery, and seldom needs drugs or obstetrical interventions. In Active Birth, Janet Balaskas teaches mothers to develop all of their bodily resources for giving birth, to follow their own instincts, and to take full control of their childbirth experience. Active Birth includes: Fully-illustrated exercise for a comfortable, energetic pregnancy, Massage for pregnancy and labor, Ways to create the ideal setting for an active birth in the hospital or at home, Positions for labor and birth, for maximum comfort and efficient contractions, The latest information about water birth, and how to plan one, Exercises for recovery and relaxation after birth, Helpful tips for partners and birth attendants. Active Birth will inspire and instruct those who want to give birth through their own efforts by following their own instincts. Penny Simkin, author of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn An empowering approach to labor and birth. (Barbara Katz Rothman, author of In Labor and Recreating Motherhood)

About the Author
Janet Balaskas organized the first Active Birth Conference in London. A mother of four, she has written many books, including Natural Pregnancy and The Encyclopedia of Pregnancy and Birth. She runs a childbirth education clinic.

Customer Reviews

Very Informative and A Must Read For Pregnancy
I read this when I was first expecting. This is an easy book to read and understand. It gave detailed information as to what to expect during labor and how to prepare myself emotionally and physically. Throughout my pregancy I constantly referred back to this book. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is expecting. This book helped to allievate my fears and was encouraging in the sense that my body was designed to give birth naturally without any interventions. Fantastic book!

Practical and reassuring
In searching for a good guide to natural childbirth, I read several titles from our library. The Bradley method felt a little too prescriptive (counting breaths, etc.), hypnobirthing a bit far-fetched. Henci Goer's important text is enough to scare anyone, but an essential read. Sheila Kitzinger's complete guide was very thorough and smart, but of everything, I chose to buy this instead. The yoga-based exercises are adaptable to multi-levels and presented in a great flow, and the birthing information emphasizes knowing and trusting your own body, with plenty of background on the natural processes of labor. For a woman who wants to be free to move around and labor comfortably, who believes in her own strength, flexibility, and resilience, I'd highly recommend Active Birth.

Excellent book
This is a great book for preparing for labor. The descriptions of labor experiences, the evaluation of the state of the medical field surrounding birth, and the recommendations for positions and excercises are excellent. This author is very good with words. The excercises and positions go way beyond and more in-depth than what I learned in Bradley classes in my pregnancy. The message of being an active birthing woman rather than passive recipient of birth is simple and ancient but revolutionary. It really does have the potential to change one's experience completely, making for a safer birth and more fulfilled mother.