Active Birth : The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally

by Janet Balaskas

Janet Balaskas led a movement of women who refused to give birth lying down. She has been teaching women about "active birth" ever since. In this updated and Americanized guide, Balaskas explains how to prepare for and experience a truly natural birth. She leads the pregnant woman through yoga-based stretching exercises and massage practice, and describes the stages of labor and comfortable positions for each, at home or in a hospital. Balaskas has also included a chapter on water birth as well as postpartum exercises.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Health, Family, Childrens, Education, Womens

272 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 1992

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book to pregnant people, even if, like me, you hate yoga. While a lot of it is about yoga, there's none of that annoying crap that makes yoga so awful (e.g., being made to chant, "My baby is happy, healthy, and holy" while rubbing your stomach, as happened in a prenatal yoga class I insanely took despite knowing how much I hate all that stuff). Active Birth has really good practical explanations of what's happening physically during birth, stuff like how the baby moves out and the way your hips open up that make sense of why you're better off moving around. Plus, it's got cute pictures of adorable circa-1991 ladies in striped leotards doing yoga, and also many more of them au natural giving birth.

Unlike many other childbirth books, this one has a measured, rational, non-judgmental tone, and you can either do her specific exercises if you want, or just use bits and pieces and her general point about being physically active during labor, which is more what I did. She gives you stuff to do to make pregnancy suck less physically, which is nice; there's also a program for postpartum rehab.

I think reading this really helped prepare me so that when I went into labor, I knew beforehand that I wouldn't be comfortable lying still and I moved around a lot, which was good. When I got to the hospital and they made me lie down on my back to push I freaked out for a minute because of this, but lying down at that point turned out to be fine (though if I'd been at home or in some nice hippie birth center I might've tried to stay upright longer). I do think all the walking around and sitting up and hip-opening stuff I'd done earlier helped that baby get down out of there, and even though I didn't draw on her specific exercises during labor, I credit this book with getting me prepared for it.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, clear, empowering, and motivational. Even though the book was published in 1983, Janet Balaskas draws clearly from movement history and tradition around childbirth to write a book that seems, even now in 2019, ahead of the curve in natural childbirth trends. Glad I found it at a book sale and glad to have read it with about a month left in this pregnancy.

[Filipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei de ler este livro. Achei muito informativo e muito útil para mulheres grávidas, ou para mulheres que pensem em engravidar. Acho que é uma boa base de suporte para orientar este jornada de trazer uma criança ao mundo, com conceitos de como optar por um parto mais ativo, onde as mulheres estejam em total controlo do seu momento de parto e inclusivamente com uma secção de exercícios que são úteis para lidar com diferentes desconfortos decorrentes da gravidez.
Achei inacreditável é como alguns temas parecem ainda tão distantes daquela que é a realidade obstetrícia de Portugal, ainda que este movimento, fundado pela autora, date já dos anos 80.

Ainda que tenha gostado do conteúdo, fica a nota para a edição portuguesa que, mais uma vez, demonstra falta de cuidado e de revisão. Parece-me que esta edição foi adaptada da edição brasileira (não confirmei nas primeiras páginas) e não houve o mínimo cuidado de adaptar a linguagem para Português europeu. Além disso, existem vários tipos e gralhas que eram evitáveis com um processo de revisão bem mais cuidadoso. Para além desses pormenores (que para mim acabam por ser "pro-maiores", dado os preços absurdos das edições portuguesas, acho que se justificava - com temas tão importantes - haver uma maior personalização do conteúdo com dados daquela que é a realidade de Portugal. Achei que a edição estava muito direcionada para a realidade brasileira que, ainda que seja muito interessante perceber como lá se fazem as coisas, acaba por ter zero utilidade para grávidas que irão ter os seus filhos em hospitais portugueses. Fica a nota para uma edição revista que esteja efetivamente direcionada para a nossa realidade.

[Mercury1122 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before giving my review, it seems relevant to mention that I'm not a particularly "granola" type of person. I prefer hotels to camping, lipstick to chapstick, and even after reading the book, I still feel more secure delivering in a hospital than attempting a home birth or using a midwife. I mention this because "the-one-with-nature" type of person is clearly the author's intended audience. That being said, I am very glad to have read this book. Based on the information provided, photographs, diagrams, and general open-mindedness, I feel very informed in the variety of ways that a woman can deliver a baby as well as empowered to have more of a hand in participating in the direction of the coming birth of my own child - even in a hospital. In many chapters I was actually left with more questions than answers which normally is not a plus, but in this circumstance, by exposing her audience to the variety of options available without necessarily over-detailing each option the author gave me the space I needed to think about things on my own terms. I think reading this book along with other books on similar topics or paired with a local birthing class is the best approach to understanding all of the concepts discussed. If you can make it past the occasional "kum-ba-ya" rhetoric, then this really is an informative and accessible read for expecting moms and dads.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad I read this book. I already knew that lying on your back to give birth can close the birth canal by a third, but I learned several other reasons why it is actually one of the least practical ways to give birth and can even be harmful. In the semireclining position, you can be hooked up to the technological monitoring equipment, but lying in that position may cause the very fetal distress that would necessitate a monitor to measure. While this commonly used position may be very convenient for attendants, it gives the mother a much less powerful role, lengthens her labor, and makes her contractions more painful and less effective. It is less than ideal for the baby as well.

While this book is certainly repetitive, the valuable knowledge within bears repeating. From the start, Balaskas explains convincingly and practically why using upright positions for the birth process is so much more intuitive and common sense. During the course of reading this, I learned that my prenatal yoga instructor actually trained with Balaskas in England, and realized how well some of the movement principles and positions we were practicing in class fit with those in the book.

So invested did I become with the principles in this book that I even had a dream about them. In the dream, I asked my doctor if she'll allow me to give birth in a squatting or kneeling position, she flat out said no, and I faced the task of finding a new doctor. In reality, I do certainly hope that my doctor and the hospital staff will give me the freedom to use this great knowledge as I wish, as I firmly believe it will make the birth experience so much better for me. I also have to hope that I remember enough of the guidelines to use them in my labor by the time is comes around. Balaskas often reassures readers, however, that most of these actions are instinctive, and if a woman is left to herself to do what comes natural, she'll have an active birth. This includes using upright positions like various standing, sitting, kneeling, and squatting postures as well as moving around and changing positions freely.

After reading Active Birth, I feel much more empowered and motivated going into the birth of my first baby. I'm actually really looking forward to applying the techniques and hope I get to witness their success and realistic advantages firsthand.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the 20 or so childbirth books I've read. It makes a great case for laboring in the upright position and teaches you how to do it. It gives you a whole manual on exercises to do during pregnancy. It walks you through how labor begins, how it progresses, good positions for each stage of labor, tips on birthing at home, and in the hospital. Lots of statistics on how her methods have been used successfully. I am a believer, I always shock the nurses during my births by showing them the control I have over contractions just by changing positions, very empowering.

[Daniela Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este livro é FENOMENAL! Deveria ser de leitura obrigatória para toda a gente: grávidas, não grávidas, homens, profissionais de saúde,…. É importante saber do que corpo das mulheres é capaz, assim como o do bebé no momento do nascimento; e que o mundo da obstétrica (como tantos outros!) está cheio de facilitismos para os médicos que representam atrocidades para as mulheres e para os seus bebés.
Mudou a minha visão do parto. Conhecimento é poder 🙌✨🍀

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few pregnancy books, since I like to read and I am a planner! Active Birth was written in the 1990's so it hasn't been updated in quite a while but still provided a good deal of useful information. I personally tend to lean towards a more natural and "crunchy" approach to most things, including pregnancy and childbirth. Active Birth is, as the title states, focused on a natural and non-medicated birth. The thing I found the most useful about this book was the inclusion of all the different birth positions, which usually featured pictures of women in those actual positions while giving birth. I also enjoyed the outfits from the 1990's that the models were wearing in the exercise portion of the book. The book of course touches on many important aspects of unmediated child birth such as different labor positions, pain management and the different stages of labor. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about unmediated birth.

[Jamie Cartwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been my favorite pregnancy and birth book I’ve read so far. It’s straightforward and easy to understand, complete with photos and illustrations to demonstrate prenatal yoga, birthing positions, and postpartum exercises. There is even a chapter for the partner with step by step instructions how to deliver the baby if an emergency arises and there is not a midwife or doctor present. I plan to bring this book with me to my birth.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this to help prepare for labour… but honestly nothing can prepare you lol you just have to go with it but still quite insightful.

[Jessica Melendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative!

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

She makes a good case for going into labour in active positions.

[Tina Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-read for anyone who wants a natural birth. It helped me immensely through both of my pregnancies, and two natural births, and I feel emotional just thinking about how much it has given me. I recommend it to every pregnant woman I talk to, but without pushing it on anyone. Being pregnant and giving birth are such personal journeys and every woman does what is best for her. Whatever you end up doing in the end, or whatever the situation is regarding your health, this book can give you an interesting perspective. It also has a lot of great exercises that I used a lot. I cannot recommend this enough!

[Meghan Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking to start a family in the next few years and I’ve always been interested in natural child birth. Epidurals and narcotics tend to be pushed during labor in this day and age and research coming out suggests the long term effects it may have on mother & baby. Every person is different & for me it will be important to prepare and try for an unmediated birth. Helpful book on how having an active labor utilizing yoga can also assist in a quicker and healthier birth for baby. Great insights and this will be a great resource again when I may become pregnant in the future! Highly recommend to anyone who wants to gain more knowledge on this birth method.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good supplement for people birthing using the Bradley Method. Strong where I feel Bradley is weak. Very helpful with maovement and breathing practices. Makes you very aware of how much control laboring women really do have over their birth experiences and how much a woman can truly participate in her own birth.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of yoga stuff towards the beginning that I kinda skimmed. The actual chapters on childbirth I did find useful. The book is slightly dated by her obsession with bean bag chairs and recommending bringing change to the hospital for the pay phone!

[Beatriz Olivieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Para mim foi um must have da gravidez. Visão geral sobre etapas do parto, me ajudou a tomar sobre meu parto e construir o que desejava.
Recomendo para gestantes, principalmente leigas e mães de primeira viagem

[Amina Elidrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good addition to pregnant women interested In natural childbirth, has good tips and information.however it is simplified and it doesn't, cover all the topics related to childbirth

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could be summed up with one word: squat.

[Terka Juchelková · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kniha pro laiky, která se nebojí občas zabrousit do větších podrobností. Hlavní myšlenkou je fakt, že rodí žena, ne lékař. Na svou dobu (originál je z roku 1991, překlad 2010) velmi pokroková a "alternativní". Slibuje praktickou přípravu na porod s využitím jógy. Autorka zdůrazňuje nutnost citové a tělesné přípravy těhotné ženy a většinu tvrzení podkládá citovanými výzkumy (i když ne všechny).
Stručně popisuje historii porodu a změny ve společnosti, které se v procesu porodu odrážejí, fyzické proměny těla v těhotenství a při porodu (včetně ilustrací). Porodu jako takovému je věnováno sdostatek stran - jednotlivé fáze jsou rozebrány podrobně, přesto stále srozumitelně, popisují, co se děje miminku, co cítí žena, tipy pro partnera a PA, vhodné pozice a styly dýchání...
Kapitola o kojení je milá, doporučuje kojit dle poptávky. I když později zmiňuje, že výživné je jen "zadní" mléko. Ke konci shrnuje možné zásahy při porodu a užíváné léky a uvádí jejich plusy a mínusy. Jako jedna z mála knih se věnuje i porodu mrtvého dítěte.

Autorka nejspíš předpokládá první těhotenství a jediné dítě - komu by jinak doporučovala hodinu denně cvičit v tiché místnosti :D. Na můj vkus je popisu jógových pozic věnováno až příliš prostoru. Fotky je zachycují skvěle a z textu se podstata stejně vyčte špatně. V tom je kurz naprosto nenahraditelný. Velmi mě překvapilo doporučení cvičit sedy-lehy v těhotenství, stejně tak v hned v prvním týdnu po porodu.
Část o dýchání obsahuje vtipnou definici: "Ženám se doporučuje vydechovat pusou, protože většina žen při porodu vydechuje pusou."
Spousta praktických tipů a zkušností je bohužel stále nefunkční v českých porodnicích - např. bezbolestné šití. Kapitola o porodu do vody mi přišla zbytečná, většina věcí se opakuje a zbytek je logický.
Úplně mi chybí informace o poporodní depresi. Z textu vyplývá jen to, jak se všichni do sebe hned zamilujeme a všechno bude sluníčkové.
Překlad je ovšem plný hrubek a překlepů.

[Lauri Lammerhirt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma leitura revolucionária, necessária e insuperável para o movimento de recuperação da centralidade e da agência/protagonismo ativo da pessoa gestante durante o parto. Filosoficamente, não tem discussão mais urgente - todas as discussões são atravessadas inevitavelmente por essa forma de apagamento, que toma proporções ainda piores quando lidas através dos marcadores de raça e classe em um país de tamanha desigualdade como o Brasil.
Apesar de ser uma edição recente de um texto/manifesto de 1985, o debate é extremamente atual. A epidemia silenciosa da violência obstétrica cresce há décadas em níveis alarmantes, particularmente no nosso país, contribuindo para subjugar as mulheres/pessoas gestantes através do medo e da dor (literal) fomentados pelo modelo tecnocrático do saber obstétrico e da prática hospitalar hiperlucrativa e desumanizada.
Acho que todas as pessoas se beneficiariam dessa leitura - por isso mesmo, acho que o texto merece uma edição nova com uma linguagem mais inclusiva (em nenhum momento se considera a possibilidade de a gestante não ter um parceiro homem ou mesmo dessa pessoa gestante não ser, ela mesma, necessariamente uma mulher, por exemplo).
Todavia, é uma obra muito impactante e muito central para qualquer discussão que se preste a repensar as práticas e os saberes ancestrais do nascer. Harmoniza bem com o documentário “O Renascimento do Parto”, o qual eu também recomendo fortemente.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I prefer this as a labor approach compared to hypnobirthing and some others because of its emphasis on being active - not just “trying to relax.” This certainly comes down to personality and preference - some may prefer to try to Zen out, but if you want to feel more in control (as much as possible with something as unpredictable as birth), I recommend this book. It offers exercises you can do to prep your body (which are mostly basic yoga moves), and advocates staying upright and in active postures as much as possible throughout labor. It offers much the same “natural” birth philosophies and physiological info as other birthing books; I just liked the emphasis on practical postures and movements.

[Alessandra Anyzewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muito bom pras mulheres perto de parir! Bem esclarecedor, e com vários fatos que eu não sabia mesmo depois de várias orientações das especialistas que vão me acompanhar.
Um cuidado muito especial do livro foi trazer na edição brasileira os detalhes do panorama da cultura de partos no Brasil. Essas especificidades regionais fazem toda a diferença.
A única coisa que me incomodou foi a descrição em texto de exercícios e posições recomendadas. Muito técnico pro público geral. Me deixou na dúvida de quem é que eles estavam mirando ao trazer tantos detalhes. Boas ilustrações teriam sido bem mais eficazes.

Não creio que lerei de novo, mas certamente daria de presente para uma amiga em final de gestação.

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost every page had an OCR error - such as ! instead of an L, or a c instead of an e; so as long as you can guess the letter it’s ok to read. This was published in 1992 so most of the references are from the 1980’s, a couple from the 1970’s and 1990 -take some information with a grain of salt since it no longer applies/has been proven otherwise. The author seems a bit biased towards certain topics, so take what works for you and interpret the rest as “good to know but not for me”. If you’re familiar with prenatal yoga poses or regular yoga, there isn’t really anything new or special; if you’re new to yoga that section will be helpful with all of the descriptions and black and white drawings to illustrate the main points. Overall a quick read, worthwhile if you have the time otherwise there are other books that would be more useful out there.

[Ran · Rating 5 out of 5]

ממליץ עליו גם לאישה העומדת ללדת וגם למלווה.

גם אם אין לכם רצון מיוחד בלידה טבעית, יש כאן הסברים נהדרים על תהליך הלידה, למה לצפות ולמה לא, מה כדאי לעשות ומה לא כדאי לעשות. זה נתן לי את האפשרות לתת לאשתי ליווי איכותי שמגובה בידע ולא רק ליווי של כוונות טובות - וידע הוא אחד האמצעים היעילים ביותר להנמכת פחד וחרדה מכל התהליך.

אף על פי שחלקים ממנו מעט מיושנים, ההתאמות לישראל במהדורה העברית בסך הכל מוצלחות, ומצאנו את עצמינו ממרקרים חלקים גדולים ממנו וחוזרים אליהם שוב ושוב. אין לי ספק שהספר הזה הוא אחת הסיבות שהייתה לאשתי לידה מוצלחת.

[Isadora Forte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gostei bastante dos capitulos 2 e 3 que falam em detalhes das mudanças hormonais e fisicas durante a gestação e do capitulo que descreve o trabalho de parto (cap 7). Achei que os capítulos de yoga, respiração e massagem foram uma quebra brusca na linha que o livro estava seguindo e pra quem ja tem ajuda profissional de fisio e personal acaba que são meio desnecessários. Ela às vezes envereda no esotérico, que pra mim não faz muito sentido, mas pode fazer pra outras pessoas. No geral achei um livro bom e com muitas informações úteis.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far my favorite pregnancy and birthing book I've read so far!

I loved the comprehensive look at how to have a natural birth - it was straightforward and tactical. This is the only book I've read so far that has talked about the best birthing positions (without just saying "not your back") and that has touched on breastfeeding and postpartum.

I would recommend this to anyone wanting to have a natural birth!

[E · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I mostly skimmed this... a good book for initial research, but at this stage in my self-education, I found most of the information to be familiar concepts I have already learned in order places, and possibly more in-depth. I found the most value in the section with illustrations and photos of laboring and birthing positions.

[Charity Dušíková · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended to me by a friend as the “best book [she] read concerning natural birth.” It has a lot of great recommendations for poses for preparing the body for birth and also poses to assume during birth and after birth. Of coure, as any birth book goes, it also discusses how a natural birth proceeds. I would definitely recommend it.

[Nicollette Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the pictures and anatomical diagrams throughout this book. I finished reading with a better idea about what happens to the body and mind during pregnancy labor and delivery and felt more confident in my own abilities. The chapters on stretching and breathing were particularly useful and I plan to revisit them for a refresher before my due date.