Catching Babies: The Professionalization of Childbirth, 1870-1920 Review

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(More customer reviews)I was told this was a great book by a friend and I am convinced she got the title wrong. It's not that it is a bad book, it just isn't too interesting.

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Home Birth Review

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(More customer reviews)I loved the philosophy of this book -- that birth is a natural, normal process that rarely needs intervention. The author exposes the obstetric profession for what it really is: male-dominated and misogynistic, with doctors (and CNMs) performing unnecessary procedures on women in labor for their own convenience and/or out of a real fear of labor and birth. Many of the medical procedures she writes about definitely are still the norm at hospital births, such as inducing or speeding up labor with Pitocin or artificially breaking the bag of waters, and putting women flat on their backs to push, but other procedures are simply not done routinely anymore. For example, she frequently mentions shaving and enemas (outdated prepping procedures) and using silver nitrate in the baby's eyes (silver nitrate has been replaced with an anti-biotic ointment). I was surprised at these references to outdated routines because the book was supposedly revised in August 2000. A new mother reading this book, without further knowledge, may fear these procedures will be performed if she goes to the hospital. Also, the author's information on circumcision is wrong. The studies indicating a higher incidence of cervical cancer among partners of intact males have been debunked. She does mention that circumcision is a mutilation, but then seems to say it's okay if a Mohel (Jewish circumcisor) performs the mutilation. I wish she had emphasized that circumcision is incompatible with a homebirth philosophy (placing priority on a gentle beginning for newborns) because it is an abusive act (no matter who performs it). Lastly, the author dismissed the option of unassisted homebirth. Even though she disagrees with this method of birth, she could have given it a little more consideration.

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As hospital birth becomes increasingly technologic and cesarean rates soar, more women look to midwife-attended home birth, which "can be accomplished with good outcomes under the care of qualified practitioners." (Murphy et al, Obstetrics & Gynecology 9/98).
Home Birth covers advantages, supplies, choosing a caregiver and more.
"A thought-provoking discussion of an emotion-packed topic."
—Newsday

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Birth Emergency Skills Training: Manual for Out -of- Hospital Midwives Review

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(More customer reviews)I was expecting a book on how to deal with emergencies outside of a hospital setting, instead, this book was very medicalized. There is some good information in this book, but you need to know that the tone of the book is "expect the worst," and if that doesn't happen, then maybe you are okay with having an out of hospital birth.
An example is how third stage is handled. This book recommends managed third stage with chord traction and pitocin for ALL births. I believe others will be interested in knowing this before purchasing this book.

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Midwives attending childbirth in homes and birth centers seldom encounter emergencies, but when crisis occurs, lives hang in the balance! It is difficult to remain proficient in skills so seldom practiced, yet pregnant women rely on the expertise of the provider in an emergency.
Birth Emergency Skills Training: Manual for Out-of-Hospital Midwives is the interface between the world of midwifery and the world of medicine. It carries the reader from the initial steps of intervention though definitive care, balancing a friendly tone and visual appeal with authoritative and clinically useful information. It is loaded with mnemonics and other memory aids, and is richly illustrated with the author's artful drawings and photography.
What people are saying about the Birth Emergency Skills Training textbook and course

" BEST will save lives. It is beautifully illustrated, comprehensive, yet easy to follow. It will set the standard of care for emergency management of complicated deliveries. " Daphne Singingtree, CPMAcademic Director, Aviva Institute
" Amazing! The most comprehensive course ever designed. The book is full of concise, critical thinking and step-by-step cognitive actions for everyone from the beginner to the expert. The illustrations add so much to the written content. "Phyllis Block, CNM, MSN Harrisburg, PA
" Love the orientation, how the novice vs expert processes information, communication in emergencies, acknowledging intuition as a valid skill...It really adds to a more complete picture of midwifery practice. " Helena Wu, LM, CPM, Herbalist
" Wow, this is comprehensive!! As an NRP instructor for 20 yrs, I liked the section on neonatal resuscitation. Great photos and resources! Loved the text and the course. "Andrea Dixon, CNM Carmel, IN
" Birth Emergency Skills Training is not only an essential guide for all midwives who attend out-of-hospital birth, but also for midwives in any care setting. The information is comprehensive, thorough, and evidence-based. It gives midwives and other birth attendants a powerful guide for practice in emergency situations while continuing to emphasize that birth is normal. In addition, the manual covers conditions that are not very common but necessitate immediate recognition and treatment. Ms. Gruenberg has written an outstanding manual with clear and concise interventions while complimenting the information with relevant images, tables, and photos. This manual will be required reading for all birth attendants at our birth center not just for the attendant's skills and knowledge but for the safety of our clients and their babies "Abigail Eaves, CNM, MSN Full Circle Midwifery Birth & Health Center
" The neonatal resuscitation lesson is fabulous! This course is going to be a major resource for midwives. " Kim Perry, CPM, APN, CNM, MSN
" This is an excellent course. I will recommend it to other midwives. " Erin Ryan, CPM, LM
" Well presented and very appealing visually. Easy to understand. " Tamy Roloff LM, CPM, CD
" The course was fantastic. The book is a gem! The content was thorough, easy to understand and easy to follow. " Kelly B. Brown, DC, CSCS, Colorado author of The Perinatal Fitness Instructor Manual

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