Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally Paperback – Illustrated, March 16, 1992

This is the most important book I ever read. I was terrified of medical intervention but also terrified of not being in a hospital. I refused all interventions, over and over again and did the exercises specified over and over again for about 24 hours (cat/cow, malasana, exercise ball). By the time I asked for pain medication, it was too late they said, my son was almost out. So I had a 8 pound 9 oz extremely healthy baby with no pain medication and no medical interventions (though about a dozen anesthesiologists came in and try to talk me out of my choices and into an epidural). My son was born built like a linebacker. God and these instructions in this book got us through. The next day they tried to discharge me from the hospital early because I was up wandering around and recovered so much. I was wearing my pre pregnancy clothing too. The women that agreed to medical interventions were being wheeled down the hallway on a stretcher with a bag of pee attached....this book quite literally saved us all of that pain and disability. Oh and I am advanced maternal age, high risk, pre diabetic, high blood pressure, etc. There is no reason most of the time to allow excessive intervention and the resulting damage, let the body do what it was designed to and has done for thousands of years of human history.

I was very much interested in having a drug-free delivery and have read/browsed a lot of books/birthing methods including Hypnobirthing, Bradley's, Ina May and a bunch of others. I liked the concept of Hypnobirthing but don't believe it's for everybody. But I firmly believe that active birthing is something that EVERY woman who wants a natural birth can follow. It is extremely intuitive and after having a pretty quick labor I can attest to the fact that being active was what helped me the most to get through the labor with pain that I could manage and cope with. I had intense back labor and there was NO WAY I would have managed it by lying down on my back the entire time. I instinctively felt the need to get up on my feet and lean forwards on a support and I could get through my contractions without feeling the need to scream or yell or exhaust my energy in a negative way. It was easier to let the contractions do what they were trying to thereby reducing my labor period. I think that what the book tells you will come to you naturally when you are in labor and instead of fighting with your urges by lying down in the semi-reclining position, it's best to do what your body wants you to do to reduce the discomfort. Labor is intense and at a point the pain can feel excruciating but if you can let go and be active the whole time it does not become a negative experience. I was being made to lie down and offered an epidural when I was 8cm. And just because I knew that this was transition and although it was hard work I knew that I was close to meeting my baby and I was able to fight with the hospital staff and stay on my feet. I had a small tear but I am pretty sure that was all because of the pulling by the doctor while pushing when I could not fight them off. Had I been left alone to push naturally and in an upright position I am sure I could have gotten off completely unharmed. I was in a very good shape after the birth and could have gotten up and cooked a meal if need be (although I rested for quite a bit!!).Labor is LOTS of hard work and very intense, it's not something I would call painless. I do understand that there are circumstances where a laboring woman will need medical help and I would never say she shouldn't take it. Drugs have their own place in the whole scheme of things and should be used where necessary. I have been on that side of the equation too and would never blame someone for making an informed choice. But if someone tells you that c-section is "safe and easy these days" or episiotomy is "routine and ok" or epidural is so much more fun...don't believe them blindly. A drug-free birth is painful but the pain is manageable if you have the right information and you trust your body.And to return to a more relevant topic (as a review on this book), this book will provide you with a ton of information on how to do it. The exercises are very helpful to prep your body for the hard work and even useful otherwise to get back in shape after the birth. Information about the different upright positions, what helps what kind of labor pain etc is also extremely useful. This book made the most sense to me of all the books on labor and was something that was practically useful. I would recommend this book to everyone who is interested in a drug-free birth.

I’m in my second pregnancy and I want get some update. There is a lot of information about exercise what for me wasn’t necessary once I workout with a physician daily. But the part about positions during labor is a must for every pregnant. Also has some material to help moms that want to breastfeed. Again was good to remember about the positions during labor, this time I won’t able to pay for a doula like the first time.

Bought this book for pregnancy #3, determined to learn how to give birth upright and without tearing. (Baby #1 was born in a hospital with a miserable cascade of interventions and a loooong recovery. Baby #2 was born with midwives at a birth center - an indescribably better atmosphere - but still reclining in a bed and with a 2nd-degree perineal tear.)I opened this book expecting just another methodology. But, I was surprised to feel so confident and empowered reading Ms. Balaskas's words. She does a fantastic job of presenting scientific research AND addressing the very personal physical, spiritual, and emotional components of pregnancy and birth. (I loved the "How You Feel" subcategory under each stage of labor in Chapter 6, particularly because it helped me put vocabulary on things I'd never successfully communicated to my husband.) Ms. Balaskas clearly has a deep and holistic understanding of birth, and a gift for helping each woman find her natural connection to herself and her baby through the process.The book is very easy to read. The prenatal exercises and birth positions are explained and illustrated with clarity and simplicity. There are many suggestions to help each woman figure out what type of birth environment she wants, who she wants present, and what she will want to have on hand at the birth. Everything from massage to supporting positions are laid out plainly for birth partners. For the first time in my life, anticipation is outweighing fear surrounding the actual process of delivering a baby. (I'll write an update next month after the baby arrives.)I also highly recommend "Your Best Birth" (Lake and Epstein) as well as anything by Ina May Gaskin for women who want to go into birth with awareness and preparation.******UPDATE******DD3 was born in the fastest, easiest birth I could have imagined! After months of effective visualization and occasional practice of the suggested exercises, it turned out like this:1.5 hours total labor - upright or pitched forward (mostly in the 50-minute car ride to the midwifery - we just made it!)4 pushes total - delivered on hands and kneesAble to walk immediately and was home in 3 hours.WOW! I'd do it all over again. :) It was intense, but I honestly wouldn't describe the experience as painful.This is my 3rd baby in 4 years and my body is familiar with the process. (This would be an uncommon scenario for a first-time mom.) But, I can now attest to the fact that birthing upright and listening to your body makes for a much faster, easier, more satisfying and joyful labor and delivery than I ever thought possible!