Choosing Waterbirth: Reclaiming the Sacred Power of Birth

by Lakshmi Bertram

Waterbirth is an all-natural, gentle, pain-reducing, fulfilling, and empowering birthing method, in which mother and infant start their new life together in a relaxing and deeply familiar warm water. But is it safe? How does water reduce the pain? And is it really more beneficial to your baby? In this complete guide to waterbirth, a yoga instructor and mother of five "water babies" relates her own experiences in the tub while providing the important information that every parent needs to understand, prepare for, and undertake

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about Lakshmi's experience birthing all five of her babies in water. I was expecting to get more information (research) on waterbirths, but that is what this book was lacking to make it 5 stars. I REALLY enjoyed reading all five of her birth stories. They were very, REAL. I enjoyed learning how she managed the pain and how each birth was different. I also enjoyed the section on "Time-outs" for the mom. The book had a lot of resources in the back, some info is outdated, but overall it was a good read. Again, I just wish it had some research and data.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet book by Indian mother who did 4 home water births. It was a quick, enjoyable read. Made water birth seem like the most natural choice.

[Little · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read-ish this book. Mostly I skimmed the parts about the author's experiences and the over-spiritualized magic-of-having-a-baby stuff. I read the arguments for waterbirth (not that I’m allowed to have one at my hospital, but anyways). And I’m doing the yoga. Oh yeah, it’s a yoga book as much as anything else. Who knew?

[Mugsymkelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, which I borrowed from my midwives' office. I particularly enjoyed that it was written from a non-medical perspective (the author is neither doctor or nurse) since so many books about birth focus on that aspect. It includes a prenatal yoga sequence and, my favorite, the author's personal stories of her own five water births.

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on water-birth. She tells all of her birth stories and I love hearing birth stories. Great prenatal yoga section and relaxation and meditation techniques. Enjoyable to read. Now if I could only get myself to do that yoga....

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has already read a lot of books on birth, I didn't feel like there was too much new in here. I did enjoy reading her birth stories. It was a good overview of preparation during pregnancy, things that help during birth, and postpartum.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great informative read on alternative birthing methods.

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

not bad

[Pocica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had good birth stories and lots of info on pregnancy yoga.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read for women considering or choosing waterbirth.
I enjoyed the birth stories in particular.

[Danielle Rich]

good

[Lyndsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed with this. It was informative and well written but didn't have as heavy an emphasis on waterbirth as I expected (only the first 20%)