Birthing From Within; a book review for new parents ⋆ Earth and Water

Birthing From Within really is an extra-ordinary guide to childbirth preparation. Whereas most childbirth preparation books focus on the clinical and gestational aspects of this magical journey into parenthood and birth, Birthing From Within focuses on the aspects that are less physical and more emotional and spiritual.

It successfully covers all of the technical and physical knowledge in a way that makes it more human and personal, something that’s needed desperately in our highly medicalized and intervention ridden current system.

This book is both a practical guide and a marvelous insight into the more sacred aspects of bringing life into this world.

Birthing From Within focuses heavily on birth art being used as a tool the writers have utilized throughout their careers to gauge how the parents are feeling about their situation and the destination that will bring them their child.

Not everyone is well equipped with the ability to accurately portray their thoughts and emotions and portions of society and culture make it even more difficult to be open about such personal things.

Birth art has been particularly successful with helping birth workers gain insight into the minds, feelings and beliefs of parents so that they may better guide them on this new and exciting chapter of their lives.

Birthing From Within takes us deeper than most dare to venture. Into our minds, our stories and how these things may affect our birth. It prompts us to ask questions that only we, ourselves can answer and to focus on these throughout the pregnancy.

What is the unique question that each pregnant person needs answered in order to birth their baby without hindrance from fear and uncertainty?
What do we need to do to release these obstacles that can slow progress when the time comes?
What must we heal in order to feel confident and powerful in our bodies and trust them to know how to open?

Once we can answer our questions, we can relax and allow the mind to take a back seat to the “primal knowing” and intuitively know what our bodies must do.

Art exercises are given not only in the form of drawing and painting but also in the form of journaling, poetry, role playing, storytelling and much more. Much is offered in the form of expression and coaxing the deeper truth out of each parent so that we know exactly what to target to help them the most on a personal level.

The practices offered up to us in this book are powerful tools for introspection, understanding the psychology of our clients and helping them to push through their fears.

Peppered throughout the pages are stories of parents and what they ventured through to conquer their boundaries and bring their babies into the world. These stories are awe inspiring and do well to make it an easy read that will keep your attention as it teaches.

While enchanting us with art, stories and the thoughts in our own minds in regards to the magic of childbirth, Birthing From Within manages to share valuable and practical knowledge on preparing for the big event.

They’re careful to cover exactly how to make informed decisions for your birth that are right for you and what you will need to know, do and have to support your choices.

There are many checklists, guides and printouts to support both the parents and the birth workers that are a part of their team. They give you everything you need to succeed from a knowledgeable standpoint while being careful to ensure the reader is aware that anything can happen in birth, no matter how prepared you are. It’s important to have a plan for all possibilities.

The book covers not only the mental and emotional aspects of the labor and birthing process but also the physiological. Sharing many different positions the birthing person can change to and how each one benefits progress.

It goes over cesarean sections and the psychological toll it may or may not have on the birthing person who was most likely hoping for a different outcome. It also speaks on circumcisions and how to navigate that decision.

Fathers and birth partners are spoken too directly and taught how to fulfill their duty in the team with compassion and poise. It provides ways for birth workers to get them involved so that they may support the pregnant person efficiently through cut-out takeaways in its pages and birth art exercises designed specifically for them.

They are given specific jobs to do like protecting the birthing space, being the gatekeeper between the laborer and others and being there to support any other physical, emotional or informational needs that may arise.

Pain coping techniques are covered heavily in it’s own section. From journaling exercises to prepare and plan for managing labor pains to mindset and physical work to train the body to be able to cope and know what to do in the face of pain.

Visualizations and relaxation techniques are provided and how to go about getting the body in tune with them beforehand so that they are readily available like second nature when their time comes. Charts and scientific data are provided both to help navigate this intense moment in time and encourage the use of a doula for better and more pleasant outcomes.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book for both birth workers and parents to be. It provides all of the non clinical knowledge needed to conquer this passage into a new life with empowerment and confidence.

Birthing From Within gives a new perspective on the sacred and spiritual depths of this incredible happening that aren’t often covered in birthing books. This more human touch full of compassion and togetherness is a much needed aspect that is far too often missing from this journey.

An open space that a doula can perhaps fill in more parents’ lives. With more books like this, that focus on compassion and human instinct, I hope our future in the birthing field will be less traumatic and more magical.