Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally

By Janet Balaskas

Book Overview

It's time to empower yourself and just say no to giving birth passively.

This is the book that has revolutionized childbirth, turning birthing mothers from subdued and passive "patients" to active and empowered owners of their childbirth experience. Janet Balaskas started a movement of women who refused to give birth lying down and she has been teaching women about "active birth" ever since. She emphasizes the importance of movement during labor, the wide range of options and positions for delivery itself, and the many natural alternatives to heavy sedation and other medical interventions. Her book is eminently useful whether you are planning to give birth in a hospital, a free-standing birth center, or at home. If such options as water birth or hypno-birthing are appealing to you, this is an essential book; at the same time, it is non-judgmental and encourages you to give birth in whatever manner and position you see fit. It covers: Exercises for pregnancy, to prepare you optimally for childbirthMassage and yoga during laborLabor and birthing positions that maximize your comfort and encourage efficient contractions Essential tips for birth partners, spouses, doulas, and other attendantsRelaxation and recovery exercises, for the postpartum periodJanet Balaskas shows you how to prepare for and experience a truly natural, joyful, and empowering birth.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B00KEU794G
• ISBN13: 9781558320383
• Release Date: March 1992
• Publisher: Harvard Common Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Resource!

This book is exactly what the title describes. It is about giving birth naturally and "actively." What I like about this book is that it did not lean towards birthing in a hospital as oppossed to home birthing, or prefer a doctor over a mid-wife. Instead, it gave neutral and clear facts about medications and birthing procedures. I was frightened about childbirth before reading this book. Now I am looking forward to the experience! I feel very prepared mentally and emotionally, because I know exactly what to expect. This book took me through the birthing process step by step, eliminating my fears! This book has a section of helpful excersises as well, which are yoga based, and great for stretching those muscles that will be used during labor! Although the book touches on breast-feeding, it does not cover it extensively. The book also touches on water birthing, with an entire chapter dedicated to it. I found that chapter a bit outdated, but the information was still very useful and helpful. This is an excellent book for those wanting to take control of their birthing process/experience, and learn more about how a woman's body is designed to open up to give birth. There are some pictures of women giving birth, that are not pretty but helpful to get a better idea of positions. There are also many diagrams that do the same thing. I would recommend this book to anyone experiencing a first-time pregnancy or anyone planning on giving natural birth. It was extremely helpful, interesting, informative and mind-easing.

Essential Book for Pregnancy and Birth

If I could recommend one book for my clients (I'm a doula), it would be this one. For most of us in the field, the information isn't new (upright positions are best; being able to center yourself and relax are extremely important; moving around is a vital coping mechanism..), but for many pregnant women and their partners, this information will be new and invaluable. The yoga exercises are practical and simple, and I found the how-to section for partners (for the "dangling" positions) fabulous... a lot of other books suggest a supported squat, but they don't tell the partner HOW to support the squat safely.. this book does. It is also very confidence-inspiring, realistic, and affirming. If you are pregnant, BUY THIS BOOK! It may change your whole outlook and perception of pregnancy and childbirth. It ought to be required reading!

birth at home

photographies and explications about how to give life in your own house.A new approch of birth with responsabilities of the futurs new parents.I used it with pleasure and succefully.(sorry for my english..)

one of the BEST books available if you want a natural birth.

I am a childbirth educator and birth attendant living in Australia.I have been helping moms and their partners for nearly 20 years to be informed and confident in their native capacity to give birth normally, without all the unecessary medical intervention that is unfortunately occuring these days.There are heaps of books on birth to buy ,but still I am convinced that if a pregnant mother can only get ONE book-get this one.It is informative and very empowering and the photos in the new edition are fine and the prenatal exercises are great. The chapter on labour is good for dads to read too.It is a book for folks who would prefer a natural birth and the author is well aware of the consequences of routine medical interventions. Working as a midwife I see what goes on when women are not fully informed when they make choices about birth (more complications, more epidurals and alot more fear.)Read this book to see what options there really are available for birthing women. THEN make your choices(of birth place and caregiver).There are some other really good books around too. I am in the process of creating a website and will include these titles too, as well as info on relaxation tapes I have created for pregnant women. Meanwhile, please know that Janet Balaskas has great passion and integrity in her work to teach and empower birthing women. Any of her books are great.I have worked and trained with many people but the time I spent in UK with Janet so many years ago continues to inform my work now, and I continue to recieve fantastic feedback from the moms, dads, partners and midwives who I now teach and work with in Australia.If you are pregnant and wanting to hear and develope a positive attitude about birth (rather than the scary portrayal on popular media),you need to buy the right books and talk to the right people. Find an independent midwife in your area and have a chat. Talk to women who have a positive attitude about their birth experiences. Read this book and practice relaxation skills for birth and beyond.I hope this little book review and these suggestions are helpful.Giving birth is one of the most amazing experiences in a woman's life - a real gift..Enjoy the passion and the challenge and the opportunity to grow.