MORE THAN 500,000 COPIES SOLD! • In this completely revised and updated edition, the nation’s leading midwife shares the benefits and joys of natural childbirth by showing women how to trust in the ancient wisdom of their bodies for a healthy and fulfilling birthing experience. “This book should be read by every woman who is having or may someday have a baby, and by every midwife, nurse, doula, childbirth educator, and doctor who assists or may someday assist these women through their maternity experiences.”—Marsden Wagner, M.D., M.S., former Director of Women’s and Children’s Health, World Health OrganizationBased on the female-centered Midwifery Model of Care and drawing upon her decades of experience, Ina May Gaskin gives expectant mothers comprehensive information on everything from the all-important mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention.Filled with inspiring birth stories and practical advice, this invaluable resource covers: • Reducing the pain of labor without drugs—and the miraculous roles touch and massage play• What really happens during labor• Orgasmic birth—making birth pleasurable• Common methods of inducing labor—and which to avoid at all costs• Tips for maximizing your chances of an unmedicated labor and birth• How to avoid postpartum bleeding—and depression• The risks of anesthesia and cesareans—what your doctor doesn’t necessarily tell you• How to create a safe, comfortable environment for birth in any setting, including a hospital• And much more!Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth takes the fear out of childbirth by restoring women’s faith in their own natural power to give birth with more ease, less pain, and less medical intervention.

From leading midwife and the author of "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" comes this deeply compassionate and comprehensive guide to making breastfeeding a joyful experience for both mother and child. Drawing on her decades of experience in caring for pregnant women, mothers, and babies, Ina May Gaskin's newest book explores the health and psychological benefits of breastfeeding. Inspiring as well as informative, "Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding" is a powerful and practical guide filled with helpful advice, medical facts and real-life stories that will help mothers understand how and why breastfeeding works and how they can use it to more deeply connect with their children and their own bodies without fear, inhibition, or embarrassment.

The international bestseller that has helped millions of women trust in their body - and their baby - and give birth without fearDrawing on over 40 years' experience, internationally acclaimed midwife Ina May Gaskin shows you how to use the mind-body connection to help labour progress calmly and safely. In Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, she shares:- Inspiring real-life stories that show what a positive experience childbirth can be- What happens during labour and the true capabilities of the female body- How to create a comfortable environment for birth in any setting- Tips for maximising your chances of a relaxed and joyful birth experienceRead by millions of women around the world, this reassuring and practical guide will take the fear out of childbirth and restore your faith in the power of your body. With Gaskin's timeless wisdom, you can approach birth with confidence and excitement, wherever and however it happens.

Everything you need to know to make breastfeeding a joyful, natural, and richly fulfilling experience for both you and your babyDrawing on her decades of experience in caring for pregnant women, mothers, and babies, Ina May Gaskin explores the health and psychological benefits of breastfeeding and gives you invaluable practical advice that will help you nurse your baby in the most fulfilling way possible. Inside you’ll find answers to virtually every question you have on breastfeeding, including topics such as •the benefits of breastfeeding•nursing challenges•pumps and other nursing products•sleeping arrangements •nursing and work•medications•nursing multiples •weaning•sick babies•nipplephobia, and much moreIna May''s Guide to Breastfeeding is filled with helpful advice, medical facts, and real-life stories that will help you understand how and why breastfeeding works and how you can use it to more deeply connect with your baby and your own body. Whether you’re planning to nurse for the first time or are looking for the latest, most up-to-date expert advice available, you couldn’t hope to find a better guide than Ina May.From the Trade Paperback edition.

The international bestseller that has helped millions of women trust in their body - and their baby - and give birth without fearDrawing on over 40 years' experience, internationally acclaimed midwife Ina May Gaskin shows you how to use the mind-body connection to help labour progress calmly and safely. In Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, she shares:- Inspiring real-life stories that show what a positive experience childbirth can be- What happens during labour and the true capabilities of the female body- How to create a comfortable environment for birth in any setting- Tips for maximising your chances of a relaxed and joyful birth experienceRead by millions of women around the world, this reassuring and practical guide will take the fear out of childbirth and restore your faith in the power of your body. With Gaskin's timeless wisdom, you can approach birth with confidence and excitement, wherever and however it happens.

Upbeat and informative, Gaskin asserts that the way in which women become mothers is a women's rights issue, and it is perhaps the act that most powerfully exhibits what it is to be instinctually human. Birth Matters is a spirited manifesta showing us how to trust women, value birth, and reconcile modern life with a process as old as our species. Renowned for her practice's exemplary results and low intervention rates, Ina May Gaskin has gained international notoriety for promoting natural birth. She is a much-beloved leader of a movement that seeks to stop the hyper-medicalization of birth-which has lead to nearly a third of hospital births in America to be cesarean sections-and renew confidence in a woman's natural ability to birth.

Many women are taking back their right to choose the kind of birth they desire, realizing that many birth interventions have adverse effects on mother and baby. In this book the author presents a different choice--one without medical interventions.What is it like to have a natural birth and what are the benefits? Author Natasha Panzer has pulled together birth stories from a variety of moms who decided to give birth naturally. The book covers: -Birthing in a birth center -Preparing for natural birth -Natural birth in the hospital -Natural vaginal birth after cesarean -Home births -Unexpected home deliveryThe birth stories are sweet and inspiring. As you read this book, you will feel like you are right there with the mom delivering that baby, feeling the triumph the mom feels after delivering her baby naturally, and experiencing the parents' joy as they welcome their newborn to this world! The stories show that natural birth is possible in a myriad of settings, even in hospitals."If you are looking for confidence-building birth stories and some good tips for getting through labor, you'll enjoy reading Spontaneous Joyful Natural Birth!" Ina May Gaskin, author of Birth Matters: A Midwife's Manifesta and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.

MORE THAN 500,000 COPIES SOLD! • In this completely revised and updated edition, the nation’s leading midwife shares the benefits and joys of natural childbirth by showing women how to trust in the ancient wisdom of their bodies for a healthy and fulfilling birthing experience. “This book should be read by every woman who is having or may someday have a baby, and by every midwife, nurse, doula, childbirth educator, and doctor who assists or may someday assist these women through their maternity experiences.”—Marsden Wagner, M.D., M.S., former Director of Women’s and Children’s Health, World Health OrganizationBased on the female-centered Midwifery Model of Care and drawing upon her decades of experience, Ina May Gaskin gives expectant mothers comprehensive information on everything from the all-important mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention.Filled with inspiring birth stories and practical advice, this invaluable resource covers: • Reducing the pain of labor without drugs—and the miraculous roles touch and massage play• What really happens during labor• Orgasmic birth—making birth pleasurable• Common methods of inducing labor—and which to avoid at all costs• Tips for maximizing your chances of an unmedicated labor and birth• How to avoid postpartum bleeding—and depression• The risks of anesthesia and cesareans—what your doctor doesn’t necessarily tell you• How to create a safe, comfortable environment for birth in any setting, including a hospital• And much more!Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth takes the fear out of childbirth by restoring women’s faith in their own natural power to give birth with more ease, less pain, and less medical intervention.

From leading midwife and the author of "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" comes this deeply compassionate and comprehensive guide to making breastfeeding a joyful experience for both mother and child. Drawing on her decades of experience in caring for pregnant women, mothers, and babies, Ina May Gaskin's newest book explores the health and psychological benefits of breastfeeding. Inspiring as well as informative, "Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding" is a powerful and practical guide filled with helpful advice, medical facts and real-life stories that will help mothers understand how and why breastfeeding works and how they can use it to more deeply connect with their children and their own bodies without fear, inhibition, or embarrassment.

The international bestseller that has helped millions of women trust in their body - and their baby - and give birth without fearDrawing on over 40 years' experience, internationally acclaimed midwife Ina May Gaskin shows you how to use the mind-body connection to help labour progress calmly and safely. In Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, she shares:- Inspiring real-life stories that show what a positive experience childbirth can be- What happens during labour and the true capabilities of the female body- How to create a comfortable environment for birth in any setting- Tips for maximising your chances of a relaxed and joyful birth experienceRead by millions of women around the world, this reassuring and practical guide will take the fear out of childbirth and restore your faith in the power of your body. With Gaskin's timeless wisdom, you can approach birth with confidence and excitement, wherever and however it happens.

Everything you need to know to make breastfeeding a joyful, natural, and richly fulfilling experience for both you and your babyDrawing on her decades of experience in caring for pregnant women, mothers, and babies, Ina May Gaskin explores the health and psychological benefits of breastfeeding and gives you invaluable practical advice that will help you nurse your baby in the most fulfilling way possible. Inside you’ll find answers to virtually every question you have on breastfeeding, including topics such as •the benefits of breastfeeding•nursing challenges•pumps and other nursing products•sleeping arrangements •nursing and work•medications•nursing multiples •weaning•sick babies•nipplephobia, and much moreIna May''s Guide to Breastfeeding is filled with helpful advice, medical facts, and real-life stories that will help you understand how and why breastfeeding works and how you can use it to more deeply connect with your baby and your own body. Whether you’re planning to nurse for the first time or are looking for the latest, most up-to-date expert advice available, you couldn’t hope to find a better guide than Ina May.From the Trade Paperback edition.

The international bestseller that has helped millions of women trust in their body - and their baby - and give birth without fearDrawing on over 40 years' experience, internationally acclaimed midwife Ina May Gaskin shows you how to use the mind-body connection to help labour progress calmly and safely. In Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, she shares:- Inspiring real-life stories that show what a positive experience childbirth can be- What happens during labour and the true capabilities of the female body- How to create a comfortable environment for birth in any setting- Tips for maximising your chances of a relaxed and joyful birth experienceRead by millions of women around the world, this reassuring and practical guide will take the fear out of childbirth and restore your faith in the power of your body. With Gaskin's timeless wisdom, you can approach birth with confidence and excitement, wherever and however it happens.

Upbeat and informative, Gaskin asserts that the way in which women become mothers is a women's rights issue, and it is perhaps the act that most powerfully exhibits what it is to be instinctually human. Birth Matters is a spirited manifesta showing us how to trust women, value birth, and reconcile modern life with a process as old as our species. Renowned for her practice's exemplary results and low intervention rates, Ina May Gaskin has gained international notoriety for promoting natural birth. She is a much-beloved leader of a movement that seeks to stop the hyper-medicalization of birth-which has lead to nearly a third of hospital births in America to be cesarean sections-and renew confidence in a woman's natural ability to birth.

Many women are taking back their right to choose the kind of birth they desire, realizing that many birth interventions have adverse effects on mother and baby. In this book the author presents a different choice--one without medical interventions.What is it like to have a natural birth and what are the benefits? Author Natasha Panzer has pulled together birth stories from a variety of moms who decided to give birth naturally. The book covers: -Birthing in a birth center -Preparing for natural birth -Natural birth in the hospital -Natural vaginal birth after cesarean -Home births -Unexpected home deliveryThe birth stories are sweet and inspiring. As you read this book, you will feel like you are right there with the mom delivering that baby, feeling the triumph the mom feels after delivering her baby naturally, and experiencing the parents' joy as they welcome their newborn to this world! The stories show that natural birth is possible in a myriad of settings, even in hospitals."If you are looking for confidence-building birth stories and some good tips for getting through labor, you'll enjoy reading Spontaneous Joyful Natural Birth!" Ina May Gaskin, author of Birth Matters: A Midwife's Manifesta and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.