Babies Remember Birth

After a dear friend called to tell me he and his wife were expecting their second child, I pulled this classic off the bookshelf and began reading it. It was time to give this autographed hardcover edition to someone who needed it more than I. Since then, Chamberlain has written a newer book The Mind of Your Newborn Baby. Although, pre-born and infant research has made strides since this book's release, Babies Remember Birth bears reading as expectant parents--especially, mothers--play a greater role in their baby's development, happiness, and health than popular literature seems to indicate. From what Mom-To-Be eats to what she listens to or says; pre-borns react to everything; including smells, pokes, and prods. Dr. Chamberlain's research indicates that babies want to come gently into this world. They don't want to be slapped until they cry; the treatment so many of us Baby Boomers received upon our entry into this world. Furthermore, according to the recollections of birth, babies prefer spending time with their mothers, close by, skin-to-skin contact, while being cuddled and loved. Convincing studies and recollections by many, point clearly to the significant role of mother in bringing new life into this world. Not a role to be taken lightly!

The best part of this book is its collection of awesome, authenticated birth (and pre-birth) memories. They support the belief that babies are beings of a very high level of consciousness at the time of birth, to a degree that most people would never suspect. This book belongs on a list about spirituality as much as it belongs on a list about birth. The memories that many people are able to retrieve about their births indicate that tiny infants indeed come into the world "trailing clouds of glory". Their emotions and level of understanding at birth are those of fully evolved spiritual beings, who--one assumes--lose their memories of a former spiritual existence as they mature. Anyone who is truly open to the message of this book will be deeply moved by stories such as the one about the baby in the womb who was worried about his mother because he understood that she was bleeding and near death. After reading this book, you're very likely to want your baby to have as gentle and natural a birth as possible--and you just might be careful what you say in the delivery room!

An excellent book for prospective parents. A must read for Drs, labor and delivery nurses, and doulas. This book gave me insight on my three son's births and how early comments did affect their lives. It also increased my awareness of the importance of making positive comments at the births I attended and creating a loving, welcoming presence for the newborn. It does make a difference!