Children at Birth

This book is an important read whether you're considering having your children at the birth or not. The straight birthing info it offers is invaluable. It's very straightforward and factual. If you are planning on having your other children there, it's essential. It gives very clear guidelines and suggestions on how to handle the whole situation. The birth stories at the end are great because you get to hear what kids actually thought about attending the births of their siblings.

I read this book because I was considering having my own child at the birth of our second baby. It was so touching! It provided great information on how to decide if YOUR child should be at a birth and how to prepare him/her. It also included guidelines for how to pick any other person you might want to attend (why or why not to include different people). I am now convinced that every member of the family has the right to welcome a new member into the world right at birth. It also included some very intense issues about birthing choices (what your doctor never told you!). It made me question many of the "wrong" ideas I had about childbirth and allowed me to see birthing as a totally natural, normal, healthy family-oriented event. BRAVO!