Immaculate Deception II: Myth, Magic and Birth

I read the first edition of this book in 1975, days after the birth of my first child. I had desperately wanted a homebirth but was unable to locate a midwife during my pregnancy, so after a prolonged labor I reluctantly went to the hospital to "be delivered." I was laid out and draped in the traditional lithotomy position where I received a pudendal block, an episiotomy through the anal sphincter, and the threat of low-outlet forceps (I was able to push my son out before these could be applied to his head). They suctioned him, wrapped him up in a blanket, and gave me a brief glimpse, but when I reached out to touch him the nurse slapped my hands and told me I was contaminating the sterile field. We were essentially separated from each other for three days and nights, other than for brief nursing periods, so the bonding experience never happened and I went home with a stranger. I was told most women aren't capable of successfully breastfeeding, and I found out after acquiring my medical records years later that he had received formula in the nursery around the clock. I developed postpartum depression and a profound sense of grief and loss almost immediately after the birth. I had a beautiful, healthy child and felt guilty that it wasn't enough to heal my emotional pain. While wandering among the book aisles at a local department store a few days later I came upon Immaculate Deception. The most intense emotion this book provoked in me was anger. I knew my feelings of loss were valid and that I had been cheated, like millions of women everywhere, out of the most sacred, spiritual and empowering experience one can have. I knew I would not be victimized by medical propoganda again, and I knew I wanted to help other women and babies avoid having experiences like mine. Yes, this book did change my life. In an instant it brought me to the realization that I wanted to be a midwife. It laid the groundwork for my practice and rekindled my faith when I gave birth again myself. I've read it numerous times over these past 30 years and still believe it should be required reading for every pregnant woman. I can tell you as well that those reviewers who have questioned Suzanne's expertise are way off base. Although she considered herself a photojournalist, I've known and worked with many midwives, nurses, and even doctors who would choose her as their primary birth attendant! And now.. I'm here to buy a new copy of Immaculate Deception for my pregnant daughter, who thankfully will have childbirth choices that some of us didn't have. Happy birthing to all of you!

I'm a midwife and an author of a midwifery memoir, BABY CATCHER: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife. When Suzanne Arms' first edition of this book was released, it rattled the bars of the cage of OB departments everywhere. Nurses, midwives, and women lauded SA and sang her praises, while traditional-minded OBs hid in the corners and prayed their own patients wouldn't get hold of The Book. I believe that S. Arms practically fired the cannon that started the Natural Childbirth and Birth Center wars. Thank god.But, of course, doctors are far more powerful (not to mention lawyers and the insurance industry), so ultimately they prevailed, with the result that Cesarean rates increased, epidural rates skyrocketed, lawsuits increased, the $$$ amounts of lawsuit awards went out the roof, and patient satisfaction rates plunged. Partly as a result of that and their own culpability in setting up impossible expectations ('just trust me, do as I say, and you'll have a healthy baby'), many OBs now find themselves leaving their specialty because of unaffordable insurance premiums - and whole towns are without the services of an obstetrician.So this newest edition of this desperately needed book comes out not a moment too soon. Buy it, read it, pass it on to a friend. Women have GOT to take back their birthright before we breed an entire generation of women who don't trust their own bodies intrinsic wisdom of How to Birth.

This book was THE most important book I read early in my pregnancy. I am a first time mom-to-be at the age of 36 and would likely be following the 'higher-risk" hospital path to childbirth if I didn't find a way to educate myself fast. This book helps to teach us what our past as pregnant and birthing women, has been like. We often see pregnancy as a medical condition and labor as a medical procedure because of historical reasons and present economic/cultural ones. It does not have to be that way. This is not an easy book to read, it will make you angry but eventually, I believe, it will inspire you. I cannot reccomend this book enough to any woman, pregnant or not. We need to know our history and this book offers a part of it, a very important part.

Upon becoming pregnant for the first time, my heart told me that a "natural" birth was the type of birth that I wanted. I searched the books available and found Immaculate Deception II to be the book that told me *why* my heart felt that way. It is a wonderful combination of personal experiences and medical facts. She raises awareness as to how the birth process has become a medical condition, the effect this may have/has had on mothers and infants, and helps you realize that the mother should be the decision maker in how she brings her child into this world. She does this with little or no bias by presenting the facts and allowing the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. Most importantly, it provides you with the knowledge that there are options for birth and that you should make informed decisions about birth instead of just following the "standard procedures" that the U.S. medical profession dictates.