Archive for October, 2007

Reviewed by Angela Wean, Community Health Education Center Intern
The Best Labour Possible? presents information to expecting mothers on the different ways of giving birth. Included is detailed information on both what pregnant women should look for in a facility before giving birth and in different birthing styles. The author begins with describing how having a baby is beautiful and details what to expect during birth. She lists different facilities for giving birth; for example, use a midwife right in your home, go to a hospital or go to a birthing center. There are helpful tips to help choose what will be the best place to deliver your baby.
Next, different birthing methods are described in great detail. Some methods are having the baby in a pool, at the hospital, or at home with family and friends. The pros and cons are presented for each method. Pain management is also discussed. The different medications that can be used as well as alternative ways to handle pain are presented. The stages of childbirth are explained along with what to expect during labor. Illustrations are included to show what is going on in your body while you are preparing for delivery and during delivery. Last, the book gives real life experiences from several mothers who have delivered babies using the different birthing methods and the different pain medicines, giving the reader an idea of what the methods are really like from women who have experienced the.
The only downfall of this book is that it is written for mothers in England. Their health care system is set up differently than ours, so their references to resources there may be different than what is available in the U.S. Otherwise, this is a great book that explains birthing in great detail and gives expectant mothers different options to explore about giving birth.
Community Health Education Ctr RG525 .H538 2001 Non-circulating
To view this title or other health-related books visit the Community Health Education Center (CHEC). The CHEC is located on the ground floor of the VCUHS Gateway Building on the MCV campus.