I started out reading everything and then I realized it was time to switch gears. I rid the shelves of everything negative.
I am very aware of what can go wrong during birth and all the medical interventions. Working in the Mommy Baby section of a hospital will do that to you.
My dreams are filled with having a c-section or a baby in the NICU or breastfeeding issues. So, I decided enough was enough - I'm only going to read positive books that focus on birth as a normal process. Not that the other books are bad for everyone (because you should seriously educate yourselves on all the interventions, etc.), but just that I need to clear my mind of the negative.
My *we're going to have a baby* readings include:
(1) "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin
This book is by far my favorite. I've been so inspired and encouraged by it's words of wisdom.
(2) "The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin
I read this book a while back when I was attending the delivery of a good friend. It's great for dads! And therefore is on the Engineers list of readings...(not that all these books aren't on his list. Hint, hint, mister).
(3) "The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know about Your Baby from Birth to Age Two" by William Sears and Martha Sears
This book is for after birth. Every now and then the Engineer and I have this realization that we should probably read up on what to do after we're done incubating and birthing this baby. I enjoy Dr. Sears' phillosphy on parenting, which is along the lines of attachment parenting...breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby wearing.
(4) "Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method" by Marie Mongan
Hypnobirthing is one of the techniques we are learning for Little Engineer's arrival. Our classes won't be for a few months, but we're reading the book and practicing the relaxation techniques. We've been told over and over to 'practice, practice, practice, no matter what method you choose!'
(5) "Husband-Coached Childbirth" by Robert Bradley
Lastly, we also plan to learn the Bradley technqiues and positions for the big day. The Bradley method has been highly recommended by our midwives and several friends.
**A quick lactation plug: For anyone looking for a good read on breastfeeding, I'd like to recommend "Breastfeeding Made Simple" by Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendal-Tackett or La Leche League's "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding".
Happy Reading!