Natural Childbirth and the Christian Family

by Helen Wessel

First published in 1963, this pioneering book has introduced thousands of couples to joyful childbirth through four editions and over three decades. Completely revised, it presents a sound, scriptural... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060693142
• ISBN13: 9780060693145
• Release Date: January 1974
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 300 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Life Saver

Although some of the experiences chronicled in this book are "too good to be true" it was a most valuable read for me. I wish I had read it sooner!! The relaxing techniques really helped and the key for me was welcoming a coming contraction rather than tensing against the pain which I did with my first two children. Having had natural childbirth for all three of my children, with no pain medication whatsoever, and having read this book before my third child, I found it worth its weight in gold! Had I not read this book, I wouldn't have managed the 4+ hours at 9cm.

wonderful book for Christian women

I read this book when I was pregnant with my second child way back in 1970. After having a medicated birth I knew their had to be a better way. With the help of books like this one, plus Grantly-Dick-Read's Natural Childbirth. I had a wonderful birth experience with my second and third child. After eons of being taught that we must suffer as part of the curse its great to learn and realize that it is labor; hard work. Very helpful book and a great inspiration. God is awesome. Men may think they've got it made by not having to have babies but to me it was an truly awesome, spiritual experience that I wouldn't trade for a million $$.

Helpful and inspiring!

How should Christians view childbirth? Is "natural childbirth" some fad started by hippies and humanists? Should Christians use midwives? These were questions that were being batted around by a group of us fairly new mothers back when I was pregnant with my second baby. I wish I'd had this book then. It presents a Biblical view of childbirth...a view that tells us that childbirth can indeed be joyful. Is this pie-in-the-sky stuff only for "earth mothers" or women who delight in "toughing it out" or being martyr-like during labor? Not at all! I have had the sort of joyful birth that this book describes and teaches. If you want to be inspired and taught on a practical level about childbirth and its significance for Christian families, this is a must read.

Wanna know what the Bible REALLY says about childbirth?

If so, read this book! The late Helen Wessel studied the Scriptures in their original language, and discovered the truth about Eve's "curse". The first half of the book is written as a story, about a young Christian couple expecting their first baby. There is alot of information to be picked up in the story, and even more follows in the second half of the book.Part 2 has such chapter titles as "Childbirth Through the Centuries," "Childbirth in the Bible," "The Medical Model," "Family Sheltered Birthing," "Birthing God's Way," "The Joy of Natural Childbirth," and "The Joy of Breastfeeding." One of these chapters alone makes the book worth buying. All of them put together makes it a must-read, even if you are not planning an unmedicated birth.