Unassisted Childbirth

Laura's book is filled with amazing indigenous women's birth stories, science and studies of the affects that different environments have on birth, and heart warming birth stories close to home. She extensively explains lots of the common hospital practices and how harmful they can be. She writes this all with an open mind and loving spirit. I felt like it was her personally telling me about unassisted birth! Not only is her Book invaluable--she has many online interviews and a website dedicated to unassisted childbirth! These videos and her website are just as powerful and moving as her book. Check out Laura's literature for an informative and encouraging experience!I’d also like to mention that Laura’s belief of how the mind affects the body is fundamental to her unassisted childbirth belief. She states that it is not physical health that causes a safe childbirth, it is our mind. We must not think about negativity and we must not plan for the worst. By our own mind we can make certain things not even an option. It is the limitless-ness that she teaches. And THAT is the most inspirational thing about Laura’s book—and it is practical in all aspects of life.

I don't know what I was hoping for, but more of a technical view. Hearing that just "knowing" and "believing" that baby will be healthy and labor and delivery will go the way you visualize wasn't what I was hoping for I guess.It's inspiring in it's own way, but there was too much focus on religion as well as a lack of how to prepare for or recognize the admittedly very rare circumstances that can occur that would make home birth risky.I believe in home birth, and I believe that birth can be unassisted generally, but I was hoping to learn more about how to better be aware of and ready for anything, and that just didn't happen here.

Love this book! If you’re looking for confidence in your unassisted birthing choice this is it! Incredibly inspirational!

The first part of the book was interesting such as the part about all the common unnecessary medical interventions that lead to further complications. The rest of the book though, is mostly just believe-in-yourself sort of stuff and the authors many opinions about religion- mostly her bitterness towards Christianity (bitterness because if it didn't bother her, she wouldn't mention it nearly every chapter). According to the author, "shame" as taught by Christianity is bad for a healthy birth but then she goes onto praise the Amish for their beautiful and healthy births oddly enough. Also "Jesus is a myth," and one isn't intelligent if they believe in the Adam and Eve story etc... It would have been nice if the author included useful information such as exercises to prevent a breech baby, or really anything else that is practical.

Loved reading this book. It is the wisdom from a woman who has had 4 children herself and knows what she’s talking about.

Every pregnant woman and expecting father should read this. I'm trained as a doula, and the material in this book shatters convention and conditioning.In fact, get this book BEFORE trying to conceive. Laura's work is a game changer.

I cannot imagine ever having a child in a hospital after reading this.

Five-star for bravery for writing this book. Didn't leave an overall good impression, because of certain personal details the author shared with the readers. For me it's difficult to like a book written by someone who was happy one of her children was never born because she and her partner never wanted to be financially responsible people and decided to prove to the world they can brake the system and its stereotypes.

great book. i wish it focused more on technical things like things that might make you wonder if everything is all right. perhaps its hard to say how much blood loss is normal or too much but still. mentioning it at all would help. no one talks about these things.

A must read for any birth keeper or free birther. Absolutely wonderful book on physiological birth.

Great read. Definitely recommend to anyone considering taking the birth experience back into their own hands.

Every woman should read this book!

A beautiful collection of birth stories. Sadly the author doesn’t own the rights to the book anymore but still a good read.