The Big Book of Birth

by Erica Lyon

Book Overview

At last--everything expecting moms need to know about giving birth Childbirth is one of the most significant events of any woman's life--and for many, also a source of enormous anxiety and fear. In... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452287685
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: Plume
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.4" x 0.8" x 5.6"

Customer Reviews

If I'd only read this book for my first pregnancy!!

This blows every other pregnancy book I've read right outta the water. I only wish I'd seen this book for my first pregnancy. So much good information about making your own well-informed labor/delivery decisions. A must read for all pregnant ladies!!

Fills a missing void - a must have for any pregnant woman.

All around one of the best books I've read throughout my pregnancy. This book had exactly the information I've been looking for about childbirth. It's just plain pure useful information written in a highly readable way - far better than what we were provided in our birthing class or from what I've read in other birth books or on the internet. It's clear, to the point, up to date and, most importantly, comprehensive. I highly highly recommend this book.

Sensible, reassuring, nonjudgmental -- and a fun read!

As someone expecting their first child in 6 weeks, this book covered everything I wanted to know -- and more. I read it cover to cover in a couple of days, and my husband is currently doing the same. Both of us found it so helpful because it's well-organized, sensible, and eminently reassuring. What makes it so different from other childbirth books I've read is its refreshing lack of dogma. Lyon definitely is a proponent of natural childbirth, but she covers the full range of possible interventions and lays everything out clearly, discussing best uses of narcotics, epidurals, pitocin, and other interventions. It helped me feel prepared for whatever happens and I really feel like I'll go into my birth with an open mind, with all of the tools I need to make the best possible decisions no matter how things progress.

This is the book you need!

I wish I would have had this book when I was pregnant the first time. I teach childbirth classes and this will be at the top of my list for all my students. The Big Book of Birth has practical, honest, evidence-based information for women and their partners. Unlike many other birth books, the author addresses the reader like an intelligent human being, capable of making informed decisions for herself. She presents childbirth as neither a big, horrible scary mess, nor as a magical ride through Laborland, but as a normal, manageable process that every woman has the capacity to navigate in her own way. In other words, it contains the kind of non-judgmental, agenda-free information that a woman can really use, both in preparing for childbirth, and during labor. It's light and portable and fits easily in a birth bag. Buy it, read it, bring it to the hospital or birth center with you. You'll refer to it a lot!

Best Birth Book Out There

I took Erica's childbirth class when I was pregnant. Her class was great so I got the book as soon as it came out and it is just as helpful as the class but I can go back to each section as many times as I want. I have given copies of this book to all the pregnant woman I know!