Book Review: The Big Book of Birth

Review of The Big Book of Birth

Full disclosure: I know Erica Lyon, author of The Big Book of Birth, personally. She taught the newborn care class I took before the birth of my older son, and the sibling preparation class we took before the birth of my younger son. I know her to be a funny, sympathetic, and super-knowledgable woman.

Which is why it's no surprise to me that The Big Book of Birth is such a stellar book. Seriously, this is the book I've been wishing for years had been written about birth. I wish I'd been able to read it before I had my first, and you can bet that this is the book I'll be recommending here on Ask Moxie and giving to all my pregnant friends as a shower gift. Here's what I love about it:

It's unbiased. Erica covers all the current options for birth--location, pain management, interventions. She gives positives and negatives of each option (including some stuff I'd never heard of) and includes stories from women who experienced the things she discusses.

It's practical. She acknowledges that birth doesn't go the way we plan, so we need to be informed so we can make the best decisions possible within the available options. And no judgments about what options you choose.

It's inclusive. This is the only book about birth that I've seen that gives both practical and emotional tips for both the mother and the partner. It's not just a pat on the head for the partner, but a real resource. The sections on counterpressure/massage during labor alone are worth the price of the book. And it's all written in an accessible (but not patronizing) way.

It's smart. I haven't read any other analysis of the increase in the number of c-sections performed in the US that looks at so many different factors and--surprise!--doesn't lay it all at the feet of ignorant women or money-grubbing doctors. She's really looked at the total landscape of health care, the birth industry, societal attitudes, and women's choices and illusions of choice to do an analysis that ultimately helps the reader prioritize a number of different factors.

It's encouraging. Rather than scaring you about how dangerous birth is or patronizing you about how easy it is, Erica emphasizes that it's hard and long and can be scary, but you can do it and the baby will come out one way or another. I mean, you know it, but reading it throughout the book really helps it sink in that this is a job you can and will do.

Of all these positives of the book, the one I think is most important is the lack of bias. Anyone who's read two books from the pregnancy/birth/parenting section knows that everyone's pushing an agenda. It would be silly to say that Erica has no agenda--she does. It's just that her agenda is to make sure every woman is as well-informed as possible to make the choices that are right for her and her baby (and partner, if any) within her own circumstances. And that's an agenda I wish more birth professionals would embrace.

If you haven't had your baby yet, I highly recommend buying this book. And I found it interesting even after having given birth to two babies.

Comments

[Isabel Kallman]

Yes, yes and YES!

Here are some webclips of Erica. As you will see, her content is serious, but her tone is non-judgmental.

Childbirth classes:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid246215049/bclid263783324/bctid263793782

Picking your doctor or midwife:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid246215049/bclid263783324/bctid263783271

Preventing postpartum Depression (1st of 5 clips):
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid246215049/bclid263783324/bctid331187279

Best,
Isabel Kallman
Alpha Mom TV

[HollyRhea]

Thanks, Moxie. As a doula, I try to keep a library of resources for my clients to check out. I'm also pregnant with my second. I'm buying the book today.

[anonymous]

I took childbirth classes, breastfeeding, and infant care from the center that she runs in New York, and was impressed at every turn. So glad she has a book now.

[liz]

I wish it'd been around when I was going through it all.

As an aside, one thing that always surprises people when they ask me about how I felt about my C-section is my answer, "woo-hoo! an extra paid two-weeks at home!" Short-term disability would only pay for six weeks for natural, but 8 weeks for a C. It definitely contributed to willingness to have the c.

[Aara]

I also took Erica's childbirth prep class, and then subsequently lived at Realbirth for the first 2 years of my son's life (breastfeeding & mother support, dance and language classes). We had a real rollercoaster birth experience, and used EVERYTHING Erica taught us. I bought this book the first day it came out and it is terrific - just like Erica! She has truly adapted her classroom style to her book. She is warm, funny and so completely reassurring. Knowledge is power, and this book delivers it big time. A+++

[kelly]

I just finished reading this book, and it was fantastic. I am currently pregnant with my first, and I would highly recommend this book to any and all moms-to-be who may be working their way through Moxie's Pregnancy section! Lyon's book is straightforward, informative, and reassuring.

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It's inclusive. This is the only book about birth that I've seen that gives both practical and emotional tips for both the mother and the partner. It's not just a pat on the head for the partner, but a real resource. The sections on counterpressure/massage during labor alone are worth the price of the book. And it's all written in an accessible (but not patronizing) way.

[Auth]

WOW! 6:45 am and I am bawling my eyes out! My God Alyssa you are blsseed with the most AMAZING gift! The way you captured the most precious thing on earth is beyond me. Classy, touching , emotional and just BEATUIFUL! Not everyone is as open to share one of the most beautiful things in life so openly. What a true blessing to be involved in that moment.Thoes moments are what bond family"s together for a lifetime Should I have another baby so you can do my pictures? uh no .but I WISH you wewre there to have captured Kyles Birth .( if you could have fit in the delivery room that is .I packed it in! ) <3 I love you so much lets have lunch, or hike what are you doing today? I am off

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[Sachidanad]

@coastinganon - you dictated your ecnireepxe beautifully! that's exactly how i felt. like you, the main reason i wanted to do a natural birth too was to be able to breastfeed right away and hopefully feel that instant connection without the drugs. i was lucky my labor was only 9 hours long... my friend tried for a natural birth but couldn't do it because her body just wasn't cooperating. after 12 hours of natural labor she ended up getting an epidural, then after another 12 hours they found the baby's head was too big so in the end she had to get a c-section. after 24 hours of labor!! so you just never know!!

[Yulia]

My original birth plan was to go narutal with a vaginal birth for as long as possible. I was in labor for almost 30 hours and pushed for about 3. I tried my best, but I couldn't handle the contractions after 20 hours of labor. I was 7cm dilated, and I felt accomplished. There are times when I do feel like I failed. So many women can give birth without an epidural. Why can't I? Every labor is different, and while I feel like I have "failed," I also wouldn't have done it any differently. I still intend on having the same birth plan the next time around.

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