Journey into Motherhood: Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth

by Sheri L. Menelli

Providing both inspiration and education, this guide to natural childbirth offers 48 personal accounts of labor and delivery without medication. Revealing the many options women have beyond birthing location, the testimonials offer insight into the joys, concerns, and realities of natural birth. From delivering at home with a midwife and hearing the right words from a hospital nurse at just the right moment to describing a combination of the Bradley method and acupuncture at a birthing center and discussing a child's birth at home in warm water, this resource combines personal insight with referential information. A glossary of terms and a resource guide to books, magazines, websites, videos, and CDs, and listings of childbirth classes and instructors nationwide are also included.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

372 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book randomly came into my life when I picked it out of a bargain used book bin. I'm so glad I did. Life changed from the moment I started reading. During the reading of this book, I lost the obygn I was working with during my 29th week of pregnancy, but it was the best blessing. I'm now set up with a doula and a hospital that has a hydro birthing room and it is definitely because of the empowerment I got from the stories in this book.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love birth stories, but for some reason had a real hard time connecting with most of these. I kind of feel guilty staring birth stories a 2. All birth stories are a 5! Everyone deserves a 5 for their story of entering the world. I guess I just didn't care for the multiple authors' voices? I don't know. It was ok-which is 2 stars. :o)

[char · Rating 1 out of 5]

not the worst but not great

There were so many typos in this book, not to mention it just wasn’t that helpful. There are a couple of helpful things, but the same things are said in multiple other books that actually hold your attention. This also has a lot of hospital birth stories so if you’re Looking for just home birth stories this book is not for you. This is the fourth book I have read so far with my current pregnancy and the only one I wouldn’t recommend to others.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so great! It gave so many different womens' experiences with birthing their children without medication using different methods: water birth, LaMaze, HypnoBirthing, HypnoBabies, no method. It showed how unique each birthing experience is and how 'normal' and real it is and that for the 95% of births (only about 5% of births are truly high risk), it is NOT a medical emergency or something requires the doctors and nurses to 'hurry it along' - it is a natural experience. It really helped to cement the idea in my mind that I could birth without medication (which I did) and I truly feel that many of the birthing experiences we have are affected by our mental state and our preconceived notions going into the event. Even if you do plan on using medications (epidural, demerol, etc) to birth your babies, I still strongly suggest reading this book as a preparation of what to really expect during a birthing.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading each woman's Birth Story. It is always refreshing to me to see women take action and educate themselves in a way that allows them to have a positive birth experience. I liked that the author used stories from women of all walks fo life and in all sorts of settings (i.e. home, hospital, and birthing centers). I am so sick of hearing everyone's horror stories of birth and labor and the fear these stories instill in women everywhere. This was an empowering book that celebrates women and their innate strength!

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A diverse collection of natural birth stories, "natural" meaning labor and birth accomplished without the use of drugs and limited interventions. Though every story is different, the feelings of empowerment and a theme of healthy outcomes for both mother and baby is apparent in each experience. I think a book like this is particularly useful to gain a sense of how broad the range of "normal" can be during labor and birth so that mothers-to-be may be less fearful. I think overall, a collection like this supports a sense of trust in what the female body is capable of.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I absolutely love good birth stories (what mother doesn't?) and this really was comforting, encouraging, and uplifting to read before my last baby was born. It helped to soothe my anxiety and worry. A few of the stories were a little odd...and many of the authors (each story was in the mother's own words) made choices that I would never make. But it was very interesting to see the variety and experiences of so many different women.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of natural birth stories, written by the women who experienced birth in all sorts of environments, from home to hospital, to the car, to a cabin in the woods up the side of a mountain! Some of them focus more on the mom's mental state and feelings, while others focus on the physical sensations and bodily changes that happen in labor. Most of them do some of both. A great resource for moms wanting to birth without medications or lots of interventions.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading about births that went well can be so calming. Though most of the births in this book are home births, I especially enjoyed reading about hospital births where the mothers had a sucessful natural birth and the hospital staff were helpful. I highly recommend this to any pregnant women, especially those who are nervous or anxious about giving birth.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of short stories about natural childbirth. So far, I find the stories both incredible and inspirational.

I didn't finish all of the stories, but overall I really enjoyed this book of short stories, and hope thinking about them helps me get through my own natural labor.

[Av · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book! It really is inspiring to read positive birth experiences. You can also get this book free online. I found it through citizens for midwifery blog. It also gives many other recommendations for birth books and why different women liked them.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm planning my fourth natural hospital birth. I've read most of the classics on natural childbirth and just wanted a nice collection of birth stories that weren't too hippyish. This was just what I was looking for, thanks Sheri!

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just one word: Inspiring.

I read this before giving birth to our daughter last year. And, while the book's stories did inspire me to birth naturally (via the hypnobirthing method), I didn't quite make it ... I suppose that makes the stories all the more inspiring!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A treasure trove of birth stories! I love reading birth stories when I pregnant because nothing prepares me for birth like hundreds of stories about other women's experiences.

I especially loved the birth story written by a witch. I have never read a birth story quite like that before!

[Sheri L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I wrote it (with 47 other moms) so how could i not love this!

[Charissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of labor/birth stories that give readers helpful things to remember during thier own experiences with natural childbirth.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems like the birth stories we tell are usually the traumatic ones. Here is a beautiful collection of stories that emphasize the simple miracle of birth.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book I read when I was pregnant with Hope looking for positive stories of natural childbirth. Women are amazing!

[Tara Stratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all mothers, especially expecting moms. This is full of positive birth stories. Exactly what you must surround yourself with during pregnancy.

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly good, some weird stories. But overall still helpful and inspiring.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading these inspiring stories, each so different, of women's beautiful experiences with natural birth as I prepared for my own birth.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wide variety of natural birth stories.