A while back, a few members of the community suggested the book Orgasmic Birth to me, and I happened to be reading it at the time. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to or thinking about having a baby! I think this book was my favorite birth book of all the books I read. If you are pregnant now, read it ASAP. It was such a good read, and there is also a great film called Orgasmic Birth. The film was just amazing - I can't recommend it enough! I hope every woman in the world gets to see this film and read this book. What a gift!
The film is a documentary about the natural process of birth, and how women can get back to experiencing birth as an intensely joyful event. It was very informative.
I watched the film with my dear friend Alex (you know her from her previous guest blog), who was visiting me from Alabama. She said she couldn’t stop talking about the film to all her friends after she saw it. She felt kind of gypped, because she saw it after she’d already given birth to her three super cute, healthy babies! I couldn’t stop talking about it either – it was so trippy and intense and wonderful – it made me almost cry every single time a woman held her baby!
So, for any of you who are contemplating a new baby, this documentary is a must-see! And be sure to pick up the book too. Are there any other great pregnancy or childrearing books you would recommend?
Ina May Gaskin Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, and her latest most awesome book with the tagline "America’s leading midwife explains why birth is a feminist issue." Birth Matters
And for parenting I really enjoy Alfie Kohn, Becky A Bailey, and Hilary Flowers.
I love books that shed a possitive light on the birthing experience, because it doesn't have to be bad or scary, in fact, it can be just the opposite!! Another great book is called "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" By Ina May Gaskin. This was my favorite possitive-story childbirth book when I was pregnant 3 years ago!! It was so inspirational to hear about this community of midwives who care about preserving the sacred and blessed act of giving birth.
orgasmic birth is a great film--still need to read the book, though. also love yours, alicia--and congrats on your new babe!
i've got another series of birth documentaries for you--"at home in maine": www.mainehomebirth.wordpress.com
these are authentic, unique, artistically crafted portraits of the homebirth experience. enjoy!
Alicia,
I work for Debra Pascali-Bonaro, producer of the Orgasmic Birth movie & co-author of the Orgasmic Birth book - I just wanted to say a big "thanks" for sharing this on your website, as well as congratulate you on your baby!
I've read a lot of those and am currently ordering the others on Amazon! Our Midwives gave us Birthing from Within at our first visit-very inspirational. I am also renting Orgasmic Birth from Amazon for $1.99 tonight. Another good breast feeding book was written by the La Leche League.
My hubby and I are having our first baby at home in January and are so excited. Thanks for all of the suggestions:) I'd love to know if Alicia had a homebirth or if any of you have.
Dear Alicia
Thank you so much for sharing about Orgasmic Birth, both our documentary and book as well as your personal journey with pleasurable birth. I would welcome the opportunity to meet you in NYC one day and share more about how changing our language and beliefs about birth is helping to create a discussion and I hope is beginning to shift the paridym of birth around the world.
Warmly
Debra
The Business of Being Born is really good too! Very powerful!
I had my two children in the 1990's and both were natural child births. At the time I asked for medication and/or an epideral but my labors were so short and the babies both came too fast for that. At the time I felt a bit frustrated that I had to be in pain but now I am so glad it turned out that way. By the time baby number 2 rolled around I was more relaxed and able to focus. I realize now that there are so many ways to ease the pain of child birth...it's really hard when it's your first and you are afraid of the process. So important to see others experiences and then know it doesn't have to be that way. If I had a 3rd child even if the labor was longer....I would choose a natural child birth! I am so glad it turned out the way it did!
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