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Heart and Hands: A Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy and Birth
A fully revised update of the foundational text on birth assisting from internationally renowned authority Elizabeth Davis, offering professional guidance for both aspiring and veteran midwives.
Presenting information on what to expect during each stage of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, Heart and Hands has been the most trusted guide for midwives and expecting parents for more than two decades. This completely revised edition includes new photographs and illustrations, updated resources for parents, and a current list of midwifery schools. Information will be added throughout to reflect the latest research on the physiology of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Combining time-honored teachings with the most current obstetric techniques, this essential reference empowers birthing helpers and parents to create a truly woman-centered birth experience.
Presenting information on what to expect during each stage of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery, Heart and Hands has been the most trusted guide for midwives and expecting parents for more than two decades. This completely revised edition includes new photographs and illustrations, updated resources for parents, and a current list of midwifery schools. Information will be added throughout to reflect the latest research on the physiology of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Combining time-honored teachings with the most current obstetric techniques, this essential reference empowers birthing helpers and parents to create a truly woman-centered birth experience.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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1505 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 26, 2010
The terrible labor and delivery of my first child was dismal, due to the barbaric idiocy of the obstetric teaching and methods in this country. Take a woman who's in labor, lay her on her back, occluding the femoral artery and cutting off blood flow. Stop labor by using gravity against her body. Inject useless and costly medications, shove a large needle into her spinal cord, then cut her open and pull out the child with forceps. what fun. I chose a midwife for the birth of our second child, and was so happy with that decision. Read this book with an open mind, don't let the hippiness and 70's weirdness get to you, listen to the facts in the book, and let logic rule.
August 4, 2008
I first read this book when I was trying to decide whether to stay a doula, become a nurse-midwife and work in hospitals, or become a licensed midwife and work at home births. I also wanted to read it as an information junkie planning my first homebirth. It fit the bill for all of the above. This is a fantastic book for anyone considering midwifery, or simply interested in it. Anyone planning a homebirth who likes to know lots of details, including scary scenarios and what the midwife would do in those cases, can also benefit from reading this (I don't advise reading it during pregnancy if you don't feel up to reading about frightening possibilities). For those pursuing midwifery, it is obviously an introductory text, by no means comprehensive - but it is a fabulous introduction that gives a taste of what is to come.
January 16, 2019
Being my first ever midwifery text, I am glad for Elizabeth Davis' writing style. It flowed so well, affirmed so much I have already learned during my apprenticeship, and expanded my knowledge on even the most basic of topics. I think it's the perfect first book for anyone contemplating whether midwifery could be their calling.
I think it had a good, logical flow, with excellent supplementary charts throughout, as well as a few basic "case study" style stories to illustrate concepts outlined more academically.
I think it had a good, logical flow, with excellent supplementary charts throughout, as well as a few basic "case study" style stories to illustrate concepts outlined more academically.
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October 17, 2022I did not read this entire textbook, as it was geared towards midwives and I only have an interest in being a doula.
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July 24, 2016It didn’t take long for this book to rivet my attention. On the very first page, Elizabeth Davis frankly stated that “twenty-nine countries lose fewer babies than we do”. This was kind of a shock to me, an American who has grown up soaked in the pervasive proud nationalism of feelings like “I’m an American” and “Made in America”.
Why are our rates so shocking? What are we doing wrong? Well, for one thing, our recent history of banning midwives and moving birth from a natural event that takes place in the home, to an illness that needs treated in the hospital, doesn’t seem to be a very smart move. Why do I think this? Because “...the six countries with the LOWEST PERINATAL MORTALITY RATES IN THE WORLD all make generous use of midwives, who attend 70% of all births.” (emphasis mine, still page one). Midwives are known for their “health-promoting, noninterventive care” that helps women avoid the need for cesareans and analgesic deliveries. Granted, cesareans are necessary in some instances, but often many cesareans are needlessly performed. Perhaps they help the child to a small degree, but these unnecessary cesareans increase the mother’s recovery time to such a degree that any small benefit to the child disappears when put into perspective. The US has a cesarean rate of 33%. The World Health Organizations states that when cesarean rates rise above 15%, risks to the mother’s health outweigh the benefits. That’s means we are 18%+ over what we should be!
Midwives also help the mother to recognize that she is the “direct care provider for her unborn child”, and when anyone takes responsibility for their own health, starts eating right and taking care of themselves, things get better.
Secondly, women often perform better when they aren’t under stress of being watched. Being relaxed is a pivotal part of being able to successfully give birth naturally; So if we hook her up to monitors and set up glaring lights and give her time limits, isn’t it to common sense that these things could inhibit progress? And here begins what is commonly referred to as, “the cascade of interventions”; The doctors get impatient from the lack of progress, and use Pitocin to speed things up. Pitocin causes such strong contractions that women end up asking for pain relief, which messes up labor, so more pitocin is given, creating a vicious cycle that eventually leads to a cesarean section. Somehow we must get out of this vicious cycle by creating a serene, stress-free atmosphere where women can be women and get back in touch with their womanly powers. “When women are in charge of their environment, when they have the privacy to labor undisturbed, when they feel completely at ease and supported, outcomes are always superior” - pg. 10.
The next chapter (chapter 2) gave an in-depth description of everything to do during the first interview, physical examination, etc. I found myself wondering how hard it is to develop a strong enough relationship with your client for her to actually take your nutritional advice seriously and implement change. I know with my siblings I have to be careful that I develop relationship before I critique too much, or else they won’t hear me. I can’t really imagine the responsibility and trust bestowed on a midwife, and touching such intimate parts of a woman’s body. I really long to be someone God can use to help women overcome their fear and enter into an atmosphere of worship, joy & peace. The description of a water birth on page 63 reminded me of spiritual birth and the picture of baptism. There are so many parallels.
The only thing that really bugged me in the whole book was the story they inserted about the homosexual couple. That’s just not OK to me.
(Chapter 4) I think that it's so interesting how God created us to have to let go during labor; to surrender. I can imagine that is really hard to do, but I hope that through God I will be able to and also help others to as well. I can't imagine witnessing the fetus ejection reflex; sounds heavenly. I bet God wants us to have to let go as almost a practice for surrendering to him. Davis mentions that learning to let go in labor prepare a mother for motherhood in Ch. 6.
I also find it fascinating how terribly important resting, stress-free, peaceful nursing is. How oxytocin encourages uterine involution, the vaginal muscles to retone, milk let-down, and so much more. I hope that I can help mothers find that peaceful time to nurse their babies and avoid depression.
Chapter seven was a highlight for me, Davis gave an in depth description of how midwifery is “less a career choice and more a calling” (pg. 220). I was encouraged by what she said about even if you haven’t given birth to children, all you need is the ability to be caring, and to have gone through and surmounted tough times in the past. I like how she said to calm your own fears, look into her eyes and ask her to breathe with you. Encourage her to let go, and do your best to express oxytocin; the love hormone. That way she will start to as well (pgs 225-6).
In chapter eight I thought it was neat to see things from the midwife’s point of view, discussing apprentice-midwife relations. I hope that I can find a midwife that I can jive with, but that if things aren't perfect I'll be able to be humble and do what's necessary to keep a good relationship going. It could be so much fun and such a good experience.
The whole situation with midwifery being a-legal in Ohio is frustrating to me since I long to practice the midwifery model of care by developing a good relationship with back-up doctors. I'm a people person, and it's hard for me to imagine having someone "not like me", and I kind of want to be like Rose and just go bring them a plate of cookies and spend time with them to get to know them. It could be so cool to have a good working relationship with a back-up doctor so that together, you can provide good care for the women you serve.
I really liked how Davis finished the book, talking about keeping love alive. I really believe that this is the most important thing a midwife can give a mother - not uterotonics, not antibiotics, or even a perfect birth. I think love is the only thing we are really mandated to give. Of course all the other things are important, and if we truly love the woman, they will come in due time. But we need to be careful to not get so distracted by all of the interventions and hurry that we forget about love. We are nothing without love.
Why are our rates so shocking? What are we doing wrong? Well, for one thing, our recent history of banning midwives and moving birth from a natural event that takes place in the home, to an illness that needs treated in the hospital, doesn’t seem to be a very smart move. Why do I think this? Because “...the six countries with the LOWEST PERINATAL MORTALITY RATES IN THE WORLD all make generous use of midwives, who attend 70% of all births.” (emphasis mine, still page one). Midwives are known for their “health-promoting, noninterventive care” that helps women avoid the need for cesareans and analgesic deliveries. Granted, cesareans are necessary in some instances, but often many cesareans are needlessly performed. Perhaps they help the child to a small degree, but these unnecessary cesareans increase the mother’s recovery time to such a degree that any small benefit to the child disappears when put into perspective. The US has a cesarean rate of 33%. The World Health Organizations states that when cesarean rates rise above 15%, risks to the mother’s health outweigh the benefits. That’s means we are 18%+ over what we should be!
Midwives also help the mother to recognize that she is the “direct care provider for her unborn child”, and when anyone takes responsibility for their own health, starts eating right and taking care of themselves, things get better.
Secondly, women often perform better when they aren’t under stress of being watched. Being relaxed is a pivotal part of being able to successfully give birth naturally; So if we hook her up to monitors and set up glaring lights and give her time limits, isn’t it to common sense that these things could inhibit progress? And here begins what is commonly referred to as, “the cascade of interventions”; The doctors get impatient from the lack of progress, and use Pitocin to speed things up. Pitocin causes such strong contractions that women end up asking for pain relief, which messes up labor, so more pitocin is given, creating a vicious cycle that eventually leads to a cesarean section. Somehow we must get out of this vicious cycle by creating a serene, stress-free atmosphere where women can be women and get back in touch with their womanly powers. “When women are in charge of their environment, when they have the privacy to labor undisturbed, when they feel completely at ease and supported, outcomes are always superior” - pg. 10.
The next chapter (chapter 2) gave an in-depth description of everything to do during the first interview, physical examination, etc. I found myself wondering how hard it is to develop a strong enough relationship with your client for her to actually take your nutritional advice seriously and implement change. I know with my siblings I have to be careful that I develop relationship before I critique too much, or else they won’t hear me. I can’t really imagine the responsibility and trust bestowed on a midwife, and touching such intimate parts of a woman’s body. I really long to be someone God can use to help women overcome their fear and enter into an atmosphere of worship, joy & peace. The description of a water birth on page 63 reminded me of spiritual birth and the picture of baptism. There are so many parallels.
The only thing that really bugged me in the whole book was the story they inserted about the homosexual couple. That’s just not OK to me.
(Chapter 4) I think that it's so interesting how God created us to have to let go during labor; to surrender. I can imagine that is really hard to do, but I hope that through God I will be able to and also help others to as well. I can't imagine witnessing the fetus ejection reflex; sounds heavenly. I bet God wants us to have to let go as almost a practice for surrendering to him. Davis mentions that learning to let go in labor prepare a mother for motherhood in Ch. 6.
I also find it fascinating how terribly important resting, stress-free, peaceful nursing is. How oxytocin encourages uterine involution, the vaginal muscles to retone, milk let-down, and so much more. I hope that I can help mothers find that peaceful time to nurse their babies and avoid depression.
Chapter seven was a highlight for me, Davis gave an in depth description of how midwifery is “less a career choice and more a calling” (pg. 220). I was encouraged by what she said about even if you haven’t given birth to children, all you need is the ability to be caring, and to have gone through and surmounted tough times in the past. I like how she said to calm your own fears, look into her eyes and ask her to breathe with you. Encourage her to let go, and do your best to express oxytocin; the love hormone. That way she will start to as well (pgs 225-6).
In chapter eight I thought it was neat to see things from the midwife’s point of view, discussing apprentice-midwife relations. I hope that I can find a midwife that I can jive with, but that if things aren't perfect I'll be able to be humble and do what's necessary to keep a good relationship going. It could be so much fun and such a good experience.
The whole situation with midwifery being a-legal in Ohio is frustrating to me since I long to practice the midwifery model of care by developing a good relationship with back-up doctors. I'm a people person, and it's hard for me to imagine having someone "not like me", and I kind of want to be like Rose and just go bring them a plate of cookies and spend time with them to get to know them. It could be so cool to have a good working relationship with a back-up doctor so that together, you can provide good care for the women you serve.
I really liked how Davis finished the book, talking about keeping love alive. I really believe that this is the most important thing a midwife can give a mother - not uterotonics, not antibiotics, or even a perfect birth. I think love is the only thing we are really mandated to give. Of course all the other things are important, and if we truly love the woman, they will come in due time. But we need to be careful to not get so distracted by all of the interventions and hurry that we forget about love. We are nothing without love.
March 2, 2024
A great intro to the art of midwifery, written in a readable, conversational tone but packed with information. More geared towards entry level midwifery students than parents-to-be, unless you're planning an unassisted birth. At a glance, it may seem to contain "outdated" modes of practice like pelvimetry, but with context, pelvimetry still makes a ton of sense (i.e. when used to assure birthing people that their pelvis is adequate, so they feel confident and are not are not susceptible to worries caused by comments from naive medical personnel diagnosing possible CPD with no real knowledge of pelvic shape). This book does a great job of outlining how birth unfolds without medical intervention/augmentation and what you can do to avoid unnecessary intervention, but still acknowledges cases when medical interventions are necessary. Also contains some beautiful and memorable anecdotes.
January 17, 2022
I'm a certified doula, and absolutely enjoyed this fantastic and handy resource, filled with wonderful stories and great illustrations to aide you. Though i own the book, I took 5 pages worth of notes. It doesnt even touch on the information she shared, many notes included page numbers to photocopy and print sheets off. Handy information from a more natural POV.
Even though some things we differed on opinion, the knowledge is always handy. She also brought up the mention of alchoal in labour, and how it could be useful for different things. Especially since st the hospital they give multiple types of drugs if need be.
Great read, a must read if you want to learn all the happenings of birth, and all that comes with it.
Even though some things we differed on opinion, the knowledge is always handy. She also brought up the mention of alchoal in labour, and how it could be useful for different things. Especially since st the hospital they give multiple types of drugs if need be.
Great read, a must read if you want to learn all the happenings of birth, and all that comes with it.
November 21, 2023
Ok, I chose to read this first because it seemed like a narrative heavy, easy overview of midwifery. That it was.
However, I found the narrative really hard to follow, sometimes with stories or suggestions in the middle of a description of an unusual finding, etc. I think it would have been more helpful if I hadn't already had the opportunity to attend births and prenatals etc as most of the new information is stuff that's pretty outdated anyway (like the heavy emphasis on pelvimetery).
The most helpful information was at the end for me, about sustainability, communication with other Midwives, peer review, etc.
However, I found the narrative really hard to follow, sometimes with stories or suggestions in the middle of a description of an unusual finding, etc. I think it would have been more helpful if I hadn't already had the opportunity to attend births and prenatals etc as most of the new information is stuff that's pretty outdated anyway (like the heavy emphasis on pelvimetery).
The most helpful information was at the end for me, about sustainability, communication with other Midwives, peer review, etc.
February 26, 2019
Oh my gosh, so good!! Loved this book. I didn't read all the parts that are essentially a summary (like history of midwives, etc), but those parts were brief and my oh my was this book a thriller. Full of great pics and anatomy and details and stories that were applicable ...medical jargon explained, love this book. Good for an aspiring midwife or someone looking to do unassisted birth, or the curious mom to be. Superb.
April 24, 2024
Read the updated version! This is my first introductory text into midwifery as a student midwife and it was fairly reader friendly. Though it’s a lot of information to retain it gives a very comprehensive insight for both midwives and parents interested in Homebirth. Will most definitely be spinning the block on this one as continue to build knowledge.
August 7, 2017
Savannah, Shenandoah patron, August 2017, 4 stars:
The authority on out-of-hospital birth, this reader-friendly book is concise and balanced.
The authority on out-of-hospital birth, this reader-friendly book is concise and balanced.
January 29, 2018
One of my all-time favorites! Another of the first midwifery books I ever read ♥
June 3, 2018
Great guide. Some was more geared towards midwives, but a wonderful resource. Learned a lot.
March 24, 2020
Some really good information and some of a more dodgy nature (burn some hair and put it under the mother's tongue for hemmorhage)
July 13, 2021
Read it for my doula certification, really liked her perspective, infusing science with more traditional midwifery knowledge. Quite some concentration required, but very helpful!
July 1, 2024
Idk, maybe 3 or 3.5 for me personally, but it was written more for hopeful/midwives.
December 27, 2012
Elizabeth Davis' "Heart and Hands: A Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy and Birth" is a very thorough introduction to the practice of midwifery written in a very accessible style. The book is useful to those considering midwifery as a career, Doulas and other professionals who want an understanding of the midwife model of practice and expectant parents who want a complete understanding of normal childbirth, what to do during pregnancy to enhance a healthy birth, complications and remedies and knowing the limits of the midwifery practice. The book is very readable. The text avoids medical jargon by presenting direct simple explanations of birth. Davis strongly affirms each woman's capacity to know how to give birth, and strongly supports the involvement of each mother in choices regarding their care. The various options available for birth are fully explained and examined to help with a mother's process of choosing the birth environment that is best suited to her needs. If a mother was having complications during her pregnancy and birth, this is a great resource for understanding what is happening and what options are available.
September 14, 2008
This book is the heart and soul of midwifery care. Not only is there comprehensive coverage of normal pregnancy, labor and birth care with loads of information on handling complications but the book carries with it the spirit and philosophy of being a midwife or utilizing midwifery care. Highly recommended for anyone working as a birth professional, or parents looking for an alternative viewpoint to common pregnancy and birth concerns. Highly valuable especially for anyone considering a homebirth, learning how all sorts of issues are handled safely and gently at home is very reassuring.
Elizabeth Davis has a lovely writing style and is truly a treasure. This book has been totally essential for my childbirth education certification studies as well as soul searching for my own path to midwifery.
Elizabeth Davis has a lovely writing style and is truly a treasure. This book has been totally essential for my childbirth education certification studies as well as soul searching for my own path to midwifery.
June 21, 2012
I bought this text book purely because someone online said it talked about determining
dilation by looking at a line going up a woman's bum. Since I don't do my own cervical
checks, and I found them to be the most painful part of my labor with my son, that
seemed like pretty important information everyone should know about. Other than that I don't have much to say about the book. It is the only text book on
midwifery I've ever read so I have nothing to compare it to. It was boring to me as most
science text books are, but I figure I can't be good at pregnancy and labor without
learning a little about it. I don't remember a lot, but hopefully I retained some emergency
information in case I give birth before the midwife arrives or if, you know, I get stuck in
an elevator with a woman in labor.
dilation by looking at a line going up a woman's bum. Since I don't do my own cervical
checks, and I found them to be the most painful part of my labor with my son, that
seemed like pretty important information everyone should know about. Other than that I don't have much to say about the book. It is the only text book on
midwifery I've ever read so I have nothing to compare it to. It was boring to me as most
science text books are, but I figure I can't be good at pregnancy and labor without
learning a little about it. I don't remember a lot, but hopefully I retained some emergency
information in case I give birth before the midwife arrives or if, you know, I get stuck in
an elevator with a woman in labor.
Want to read
August 30, 2007i screened this book. it is primarily targeted at women interested in midwifery, not women interested in exploring the midwife option for their upcoming delivery. that said, it would be a good guide for what to expect if one did decide she wanted a midwife, and would provide some useful information were one indecisive about such a choice, though the book makes no attempt to be an objective source of the various alternatives for giving birth. indeed, it seems to take a fairly anti-medicine, rather than supporting the coordination of medicine and midwifery, as many nurse-midwives (like the american college of nurse-midwives) do.
August 14, 2012
I adored this book. I see and feel midwifery in my future, but for now this book confirmed that supporting women in pregnancy and childbirth is my calling. This book has prepared me and inspired me on my path to becoming a doula.
If I were reading it while pregnant I think it would have caused more anxiety than necessary when it comes to complications and emergencies. I love the way Ina May Gaskin's books ease those fears instead of create any sort of anxieties, and I felt that this was missing from this book.... just a wee bit! 4 out of 5 stars pour moi!
If I were reading it while pregnant I think it would have caused more anxiety than necessary when it comes to complications and emergencies. I love the way Ina May Gaskin's books ease those fears instead of create any sort of anxieties, and I felt that this was missing from this book.... just a wee bit! 4 out of 5 stars pour moi!
March 21, 2013
This book is written for people who want to be midwives, so I'm not its intended audience. However, it's quite useful for exposure to a genuine midwifery model of pregnancy and birth, and especially for the technical information given from a midwifery rather than a medical perspective. There are chapters about establishing a practice and so on, which wasn't of much use to me -- but the book's still well worth it.
September 25, 2014
This is an excellent resource for out-of-hospital births. Accessibly written, addressed to the lay public, and in a friendly approachable tone, this is just a really great book. It focuses more on pregnancy than on labor and birth per se, but it has lots of solid information that's been pared down from textbooks so that most people can read it and not be bored stiff. For a book on pregnancy, Davis does an excellent job. (For books on birth, see some of the others on this list.)
June 10, 2014
A great introductory text for anyone interested in midwifery or maternal health. I enjoyed the chapters on the physiology of the stages of birth and found it easy to read even with limited knowledge on the subject. The authors opinions are clearly visible but I found them to be much more moderate than I originally would have expected. The book focuses on out of hospital birth but I think it is also relevant to other settings.
June 11, 2009
I did not finish this book, but only because I am not a midwife (definitely in a different life!). However, I did skim through it and read sections I thought were interesting. As a pregnant woman that has already given birth, I loved the different perspective. I also loved how the book including homeopathy! Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone interested in birth.
June 27, 2008
Excellent book! Discusses every problem you might encounter & the way a midwife would deal with those problems. This is a great book for those who are wanting to avoid the common medical interventions performed by OBGYNs in hospitals. Read in advance, before childbirth, so you know if what they are doing is really medically necessary.
May 21, 2009
This was a concise, but loving and personal, active view of the role of the midwife. I'm interested in maybe studying nursing and midwifery, and this book was a real treasure trove of stories, personal accounts, basic need-to-knows, and empowerment for women, their families, and their midwives. If you're interested in learning about midwifery, I'd recommend this as a great first step! :-)
September 27, 2012
Loved. This. Book. I'm not a midwife and I don't plan to become one, but this is a great book if you want to get a deeper education in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. I learned so much about the mechanics of birth, the human pelvis, and various complications and how they should be dealt with. I appreciated how this book did not have a bias towards hetero relationships, very neutral.
April 7, 2015
This is one of the very best midwifery overviews I have read. The perfect beginning midwifery textbook and continuing reference. Also, she has some great lists in the book -- supplies lists, charts, maternal worksheets...
Highly recommended for students or the parent who likes to get a clear picture of midwifery process.
Highly recommended for students or the parent who likes to get a clear picture of midwifery process.
August 14, 2007
Been reading this book and using it as a study guide for my midwifery studies...would recommend it to anyone who wants a good overview of what midwifery care is all about. AND what a natural pregnancy/labor and birth can be like!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews