As my first birth book I was introduced to, this book will always hold a special place in my heart. I have read it cover to cover several times and quote it often. There is a specific line, where Ina May is discussing the strangeness of viewing women’s genitals as inadequate to birth on their own; claiming “big baby”, small pelvis, needing to be cut to prevent tear, etc. She points out that we never question a man’s genital’s ability to stretch when the circumstances require it! Can you imagine telling a man “we are going to need to make a small cut so you don’t tear during this erection, we just don’t think your penis can handle the stretching required? I roared with laughter the first time I read it, both from shock at the very idea and the sheer ridiculousness of the implication! Obviously the two situations aren’t perfectly comparable, but a good portion of the reason for that is arguably because of how women are asked (sometimes forced) to birth in the first place. If you are wanting to learn more about homebirth in a humorous and informative fashion, this book is amazing.

Another huge take away (a pun you will see in a minute) I had from this book that applied directly into my births was the section on mantras. Ina May recommends finding a short phrase to repeat in your mind while in active labor. To focus on and visualize. Her example phrase? “I am getting huge” while picturing your widening vaginal canal. I repeated this phrase in my mind during both of my labors, picturing my cervix dilating (I googled “dilating cervix” to see actual photos of a cervix for this exact purpose), and focusing all of my energy on that singular phrase during each contraction. I am a huge supporter of the mantra and recommend it to all of my students and clients to this day!

The second half of the book is dedicated to birth stories. Reading about actual births before giving birth on your own, especially if your birth is going to be the first one that you attend in person, is a wonderful way to set expectations beyond “this is how the average body gives birth”. How did this make the woman feel? What were her joys? What were her pains? What can I take away from her experience and apply it to mine? Watching birth videos is great, and something every pregnant person should do, but reading about them invites you into the psyche of the mother while giving birth.

As always, thanks for reading and God Bless!