Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #517483 in Books
• Published on: 1994-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 302 pages

Customer Reviews

One of the best books I've ever read!
The book can be a little over dramatic, but the author is trying to make a strong point. I think being a little over dramatic is necessary when she only has our attention for the short time it takes to read the book, yet she is trying to correct a message that society has pounded into our heads for our whole lives. It's a lot to undo in a short period of time.

I've read some reviews that say the book is anti-Christian.
I don't necessarily agree. It's true you can tell the author is not fond of the religion (or at least how most people practice it), but I'm Christian and I wasn't offended.

If you are sensitive about your faith you aren't going to like the book, but if you can take things with a grain of salt you should be okay.

This is not a book for those Christian women who believe women should be submissive and stay quiet and stay in their place. It's a book for strong women who think for themselves, and who realize that Christianity (and the medical community) may not have always served our interests as well as they should have. To me, it was more of a commentary about the people who practice religion/medicine rather than the legitimacy of either.

I thought it was an outstanding book. So five stars *****.

Opens Your Eyes and Makes You Think
I have already given birth twice, and both times it was in the hospital. I wanted to have natural, unmedicated births for both of my babies. I succeeded with my first but ended up with an epidural with my second.

I have since reflected a lot about my experiences. Now that I am pregnant with my third, and am planning a home-birth, I have really desired to gain a better perspective and overcome the fears and negative experiences I had with my other labors and births.

This book has a lot of information. Suzanne speaks a lot about the history of childbirth, and where it has lead us to today. She does do a lot of speculation, so you can't take everything she says literally, because it really is her opinion. But she does also provide a lot of facts and information that is valuable if you want to have a more positive birthing experience. Women should inform themselves, and become acquainted with the reality of childbirthing practices today. This book is only one resource.

This book was written in 1994, so it is obviously outdated to some extent. But it is very surprising to realize that some things have not changed at all. Like, for example, how modern obstetrics is still very anti-home birth (the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists just recently reiterated it's position against home birth on February 6, 2008).

If you are searching, desiring to learn more and wanting to gain new insight, this is a good book to read. But it is a hard book to read, and I wouldn't recommend it to those who are not ready to question what they have been taught about birth and doctors.

For those who are interested in a more positive read about natural birth, I would highly recommend "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth." It is an inspirational book that will lift your spirits and give you confidence in birthing naturally.

Eye Opener
I bought this book to help me figure out what type of birth experience I wanted to have. This book has made me want a home birth, which I never thought I'd have the courage to do. This book is empowering, to say the least.