The Water Birth Book: The Ideal Companion to Hypnobirthing and Active Birth

I am beyond impressed with this book! I always wanted to have water births with my future children and this book puts me at ease with the process. Janet Balaskas dedicates the first chapter to research (including her own contributions) that has been done on water births, which is extensive. She also explains why water births are popular in Europe and not as much in the US. Throughout the book she sites research and references from doctors, medical journals, and midwives. It's apparent that her knowledge of the female body and the process it undergoes during pregnancy and labour is also extensive. She is also up-to-date on hospital procedures, what they are intended for, and why sometimes a hospital birth is necessary based on your unique situation. I love that she isn't trying to convert anyone but instead lays out all the research, her experience, the reality of complicated births, and says you need to do whats best for you and your baby.She has added quotes and stories from many mothers who have had water births, as well as beautiful pictures of mother and baby after delivery. Her goal with this book is to enlighten and provide information for those who are interested and want more information on water births, as well as those who don't have the research readily available to them.

As a midwife supporting Waterbirth’s I think this book does a great job