Unassisted Childbirth

This is a wonderful book that speaks the truth about how birth use to be and should be. I feel this is a empowering book for mothers to know that they can trust their bodies!

Ms. Shanley tells the real truth about homebirthing and giving birth without outside aid. Women should return to doing what women do best and can handle instinctively rather than the sterile, overprotective and downright dangerous world of medicalized childbirth.

I first read Unassisted Childbirth before my first was born. I had already decided we were going to UC, but I wasn't totally committed. Although I don't agree with all of Laura's spiritual/religious beliefs, they did not detract (for me) from the ultimate message of the book, which is that UC is a viable choice and the key is trusting yourself and God. She does not denigrate those who don't choose UC, but shows that it is a respectful decision for those who so decide. We have had two beautiful, planned, unassisted births and look forward to many more. This book was the clincher for me. It brought me to the ultimate peace and tranquility I needed to proceed with our decision. I have never turned back and I thank Laura for sharing her journey and stories and thoughts with us. She has brought unassisted birth to the forefront of birthing choices and I believe the world is better for it.

Ladies, ignore the inflated prices on the used and "collectible" copies, and buy it directly from the author on her website for $19.95 (www.unassistedbirth.com). She'll even sign it for you; she did mine...Thanks again Laura....just had my second Unassisted Birth 9 weeks ago!Cherry

I am a Certified Childbirth Educator, and I wholeheartedly support and endorse Unassisted Childbirth by Laura Kaplan Shanley. In this country, we tend to worship the medical model as if it is the only viable alternative. Speaking as a health care professional, a former labor support person, and a person who has experienced a home birth, I cannot tell you the number of times I have observed complications caused by the medical handling of birth and prenatal care. Yes, fetal deaths happen at home, but even more of them happen in hospitals. If you take 100 home births and 100 hospital births and look at how many end up with complications or death, you will find in every case that home births have fewer complications than hospital births. The fact that someone had a baby die at home should not dissuade them from taking charge of their own health and having the birth they want next time. Does every person who ever had someone die in the hospital stop going to the hospital for good? But that's what some people would have us do with home birth. Laura makes good sense, and she has been there. Even SHE did have a baby die after giving birth at home, but her doctors told her that the baby would have died anyway even if it had given birth at the hospital. You see, medicine is not the answer to everything.

Unassisted Childbirth by Laura Kaplan ShanleyISBN 0 89789 377 8 Bergin & GarveyAvailable from the Unassisted Childbirth website.This is a must read for all parents (ideally before pregnancy!) Laura writes factually, beautifully and with passion. She describes what really happens in interventionist births; the mindset of the medical profession as well as sharing her own birth stories. No matter what birth a woman chooses for herself and her baby, this book serves to empower us all to break free from the medical chains and choices that disempower us and drag us deeply down into hypnotic submission. Her book is a wake-up call to everyone! Aquiring this book should be the priority of every parent. And it might just save your baby and yourself from a traumatic or unsatisfying birth experience. The world needs women like Laura Kaplan Shanley who are prepared to speak the truth for themselves and others by their words and actions.It is about accepting responsibility for our choices regardless of the birth we choose! This is the first book I recommend to anyone considering pregnancy/birth. I even encourage people who are parents already to read it.