Reading Resources

Preconception

Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health by Toni Weschler

Pregnancy
Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide by Penny Simkin
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth by Boston Woman’s Health Collective
The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm
Blessingways: A Guide to Mother-Centered Baby Showers by Shari Masser

Childbirth
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by Pam England
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
A Good Birth, A Safe Birth by Diana Korte
Childbirth without Fear by Grantly Dick-Read
Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper
The Birth Book by Martha Sears
Birth Reborn by Michel Odent
Having a Baby, Naturally by Peggy O’Mara
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method by Marie Mongan
The Birth Partner by Penny Simpkin
Husband Coached Childbirth by Robert Bradley
Giving Birth by Sheila Kitzinger
Easy Labor by William Camann
Survivor Moms: Women’s Stories of Birthing, Mothering and Healing After Sexual Abuse by Mickey Sperlich
Birth without Violence by Frederick Leboyer
The Nature of Birth and Breastfeeding by Michel Odent
Transformation Through Birth by Claudia Panuthos
Preparing for a Healthy Birth by Sylvie Donna

VBAC and Cesarean
Artemis Speaks:VBAC Stories and Natural Childbirth Information by Nan Koehler
The Silent Knife by Nancy Wainer*

Prenatal and Postpartum Wellness
Nine Months Strong by Karen Bridson*
Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy by Elizabeth Somer*
Lose Your Mummy Tummy by Julie Tupler*
Natural Health after Birth by Aviva Jill Romm*

History of Childbirth
BIRTH: The Surprising History of How We Are Born by Tina Cassidy
Lying-in: A History of Childbirth in America by Richard Wertz
Brought to Bed: Childbirth in America, 1750-1950 by Judith Leavitt

Maternity Care System
Born in the USA by Marsden Wagner
PUSHED by Jennifer Block
Obstetric Myths Vs. Research Realities by Henci Goer
Birth as an American Rite of Passage by Robbie Davis Floyd
Pursuing the Birth Machine by Marsden Wagner
Birth Models that Work by Robbie Davis-Floyd
The American Way of Birth by Jessica Mitford
Expecting Trouble by Thomas Strong

Midwifery
Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent
A Midwife’s Story by Penny Armstrong
A Wise Birth by Penny Armstrong
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
Midwives: a Novel by Chris Bohjalian
The Midwife by Jennifer Worth
Hearts Open Wide: Midwives & Births by Pam Wellish*
Diary of a Midwife: Power of Positive Childbearing by Juliana Olphen-Fehr*
Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart: A Midwife’s Saga by Carol Leonard*

Breastfeeding
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International*
The Nursing Mother’s Companion by Kathleen Huggins*
The Breastfeeding Book by Martha Sears
Mothering Your Nursing Toddler by Norma Jane Bumgarner *
So That’s What They’re For: The Definitive Breastfeeding Guide by Janet Tamaro*
How My Breasts Saved The World: Misadventures of a Nursing Mother by Lisa Shapiro 
Fresh Milk: The Secret Life of Breasts by Fiona Giles*
The Ultimate Book of Breastfeeding Answers by Jack Newman*

Parenting
The Continuum Concept: In Search of Happiness Lost by Jean Liedoff*
The Natural Child: Parenting From the Heart by Jan Hunt
The Baby Book by Dr Sears*
The Attachment Parenting Book by Dr Sears
Natural Family Living by Peggy O’ Mara
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley*
Misconceptions by Naomi Wolfe

VIDEOS
The Business of Being Born (2007)*
Pregnant in America (2008)*
Orgasmic Birth (2008)*
Attending Birth (2008)*
Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea (2007)*
Perfect Pregnancy Workout (2002)*
Kangaroo Mothercare I & II (2001, 2002) *
Baby-Led Breastfeeding (2007)*
It’s My Body, My Baby, My Birth*

“Just as a woman’s heart knows how and when to pump, her lungs to inhale, and her hand to pull back from fire, so she knows when and how to give birth.”  – Virginia Di Orio