Unassisted Childbirth Review

With a title that earned the distinction of "Most alarming book title of 1994," Laura Kaplan Shanley's book Unassisted Childbirth looked like a fascinating read. It didn't disappoint. I couldn't put the book down.

Shanley opens the book with a focus on belief - one day women and men will realize that birth is shaped by their beliefs. They'll realize that women can give birth without assistance. This focus on belief is the core of the book.

You'll appreciate that Shanley gives this focus right away - keep it in mind as you read the first two chapters of the book. These chapters turn to the practical and relate how the modernization of birth has hurt the process for many families. Shanley also gives a good overview of how cultural conditioning makes birth hard for women.

Chapters Three and Four continue to examine modern birthing. Chapter Three covers the psychological effects of traumatic birth on the child, on the mother, and the father. These effects are so often ignored in our society. You'll want to read this chapter. Chapter Four discusses why physicians are so prone to intervention.

Belief and expectations are examined in Chapter 5. I think this is one of the best chapters in the book. Some of it may feel a little strange at first because Shanley really focuses on how our beliefs influence our experiences. Many people are used to dismissing the power they have over their own lives. A careful reading of the chapter will allow you to see that you do have a very big influence over your birth.

You also have the right and the ability to redefine your expectations and beliefs about birth. Chapter 6 builds on this by allowing you to realize that your own intuition is something to be trusted. You may have noticed that your dreams become much more vivid in pregnancy - Shanley invites you to explore those dreams as well as your inner feelings to learn more about yourself.

The remainder of the book is mostly devoted to wonderful stories of unassisted birth. One chapter is devoted to Shanely's own inspiring story. It also includes a chapter on why unassisted birth is important and should become more common.

Unassisted Childbirth is not a "how-to" manual on natural home childbirth - you'll want to look into some midwifery manuals for that. It is an excellent introduction to the whys of unassisted birth. It will help you examine, reexamine, and redefine your own beliefs and come to the place where you are ready for your upcoming birth.

It's an enthralling read you'll be glad you picked up. Take the time to read it through a couple of times and really think about what Shanley is saying. Then prepare for a wonderful birth!

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