The Positive Birth Book: A New Approach to Pregnancy, Birth and the Early Weeks

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It's a wonderful and compassionate read, as it can help normalise many of the emotions and experiences of mothers, especially in the early days. However, I recommend this book to women who are struggling to come to terms with their birth, as sometimes understanding something about your needs in labour can be really helpful when looking at how those needs were or weren't met and how that made you feel. She has a wonderfully warm and well evidenced take on some of the difficulties of being a parent, and I think a lot of people will feel reassured by reading it. With his wealth of information and gentle way of laying all options, yet staying firm in his convictions, I recommend this to every expecting mother. Professor Tong carefully and simply breaks down the evidence and facts to provide you with everything you need to know to turn anxiety and trepidation about childbirth into confidence, empowerment, and cherished, life-long memories.I’ve found this book to be the perfect preparation for birth, I now feel more informed and able to make the decisions that feel right for me on the run up to having my first baby. Chatty and thorough and uplifting: this book is a whacking great confidence boost right where it's needed.

Those who read this will know far more about birth than most others fronting up to the birth suite in labour. I wonder why the author thinks so many women in history died or suffered horrible complications who didn’t have any option other than home births - maybe they didn’t have enough scented candles, fairly lights or home birthing pools! Good section on breastfeeding but i would have liked more science on antibodies and micro biome that many lay people are less aware of.The book’s trademark Visual Birth Plan icons can be downloaded for free to help you create a birth plan for every eventuality. Throughout the book you will find stories and tips from mothers like you and health professionals who give evidence-based advice about all aspects of birth and early parenthood, from where to give birth to positive caesarean, skin-to skin contact and breastfeeding. And so I'm inspired to keep working to improve my ability to help women labor who need more active ways of laboring, and those who need my help or encouragement to relax. Planning, understanding the resources available to you, and developing your own birthing philosophy can make all the difference.

This book might help you understand a wee bit more about how you are feeling, and have more confidence to approach motherhood in a way that suits you.

I’d highly recommend to anyone who feels overwhelmed by information, choice and anyone who feels a bit clueless about everything from pain relief to how to plan for things not going to plan. I actually started to get anxious the more I listened to it because it makes doctors and nurses seem like prison wardens who are going to make your experience terrible.

I thought this book was well written and quite comprehensive, covering everything from the history of birth to birth plans and even includes birth stories from different types of births. Whether it’s your first, second or fifth baby, most of us approach childbirth with some trepidation.For over two years she wrote a popular column for 'Best' magazine, and she’s now a columnist for 'Telegraph Women'. The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. I think it would do wonders for helping moms to tell their doctors they want to have an unmedicated birth without there being skepticism.