Rediscovering Birth

The most inspiring pregnancy book I've ever read! While other books concentrate mostly on the medical aspect of pregnancy and labor this book has a diffferent perspective. It describes the maternity rituals and tradition in different cultures across different time periods. It gives a good perspective on the birth culture in modern Western world. Very recommended and inspiring, especially if you are pregnant.

Sheila Kitzinger puts the 21st century American childbirth experience in its proper context. Reading this book breathed fresh air into my pregnancy. Parts of this book are interesting in a "huh. i don't know that" kind of way. Others are real paradigm shifters. For example, before I read this book, one of the only reasons I could think of for not having an ultrasound was the expense. Kitzinger talked about how ultrasounds and other prenatal testing have changed the culture of chldbirth around the world (creating an atmosphere of pressure to abort girls where male children are preferred, one example). What was more directly relevant to me personally was how, in America, prenatal testing is changing the mother-child relationship from one that is exclusive to one where the mother ignores her child's direct communication in favor of allowing her child to speak to her only through 3rd parties, such as a doctor or technician. In this manner, the "authorities" can wrest even more control over women, because you "need" them to perform the tests in order to have a relationship with your own child. The book would be worth it even without the text. The photography is beautiful.

Sheila Kitzinger's book "Rediscovering Birth" is a gorgeous, lavishly illustrated book that will make you feel confident in your body's ability to weather the challenges of birth. Topics discussed include the journey to birth, birthing rituals, mythologies of birth, and the importance of informed choice today. I wish I could give this book more than five stars. It is awesome!!!

Definitely not a substitute for a good pregnancy reference book, but a beautiful addition to your reading list while you wait and prepare. I love Kitzinger's use of photographs, art, and ancient and historical texts in describing the social aspects of birth and mothering. She has done extensive research into the birth rituals and practices of many cultures. While she is critical of the overuse of interventions in American births, she openly acknowledges that they can be a wonderful blessing in saving the lives of mothers and babies in emergency situations.When I first got this book, I just paged through and looked at all the pictures and quotes. They way the book is printed (double-spaced on wide, glossy pages) makes it a little difficult to read, for me anyway. After a few days, I started reading it from the beginning and am enjoying it so much I'll forgive the printing style. A great book for mothers who are relishing this profound, defining time in their lives. It will inspire you to read more on natural childbirth (if you haven't already) as you begin to realize the power within you to give birth.

It's clearly not a guide-to-pregancy book, but I have found it to be a wonderful companion to the other pregnancy books I am reading. This book, with beautiful pictures and photos of ancient artifacts, surveys birthing myths and pregnancy traditions worldwide, comparing how this common, yet miraculous, human experience is appreciated and interpreted.The author takes a harsh view at our highly medicalized, Caesarian-obsessed state of obstetric medicine, but I believe, she is right in that regard. Obstetrics has stripped women of some of the magic and the love that countless generations of women have experienced as they give birth.I think that not every reader will appreciate or accept some of this, but it is perfect for me. I am a woman of color, with a deep fascination and appreciation of other cultures and ancient cultures and of the goddess religions and reading this book has affirmed much of what I already believe.If you are a woman searching for a more spiritual, more universal meaning to your pregnancy, I would highly recommend this book.