What do you think?
Rate this book
Birth With Confidence: Savvy Choices for Normal Birth
Chapter 1.
The birth you what motivates the willing woman?
Chapter 2.
Reality birth in the labour-bypass era
Chapter 3.
It’s a fine reframing pain in labour
Chapter 4.
Approaching what pain type are you?
Chapter 5.
Crisis of when self-belief crumbles
Chapter 6.
The right who will get you through?
The birth you what motivates the willing woman?
Chapter 2.
Reality birth in the labour-bypass era
Chapter 3.
It’s a fine reframing pain in labour
Chapter 4.
Approaching what pain type are you?
Chapter 5.
Crisis of when self-belief crumbles
Chapter 6.
The right who will get you through?
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
89 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 7, 2016
I have very mixed feelings about this book. Ironically, at times it made me feel less confident about birth, not more.
I felt encouraged at first by its approach: explain how natural physiological birth is still something worth aiming for where possible, and give the information about how to achieve that. But although it talked about the "cascade of interventions" that often occurs, it didn't go into detail in a way that would help me figure out which interventions I most wanted to avoid. For example, it frequently talked about how an epidural can lead to other interventions, particularly a caesarean, but never mentioned whether pain relief gas or a TENS machine would have the same effect. I guess by that time in the book, it was assuming I wanted to either avoid them all, or resign myself to getting whatever combination of interventions my overly cautious hospital would throw at me.
There were also no tools provided for natural pain management - it mentioned a few in passing but not in a way that might equip me with them. (Completely unlike Juju Sundin's Birth Skills, which I am also reading, and which is all about preparing to use those tools.)
In fact, the main purpose of the book seemed to be to convince the reader that they absolutely must have an independent, natural birth focused midwife present at the birth - such as the author herself. The fact that I am going to a great hospital with good midwives is apparently not enough, as this makes me an "aspirational but naive" woman who is destined to get all the most intrusive interventions anyway, and then to suffer post natal depression or even post traumatic stress disorder because of how awful the birth will be.
That being said, I learned some helpful concepts in this book - the "cascade of interventions", functional pain, and the likely "crisis of confidence". But in the end, no I'm not going to hire an independent midwife, nor send away my partner because he doesn't like to see me in pain. Instead, the important stuff is going in my birth plan which I'll be discussing (and preparing for) with my partner and midwives. Then I guess we'll wait and see (another category of naive women, by the way).
I felt encouraged at first by its approach: explain how natural physiological birth is still something worth aiming for where possible, and give the information about how to achieve that. But although it talked about the "cascade of interventions" that often occurs, it didn't go into detail in a way that would help me figure out which interventions I most wanted to avoid. For example, it frequently talked about how an epidural can lead to other interventions, particularly a caesarean, but never mentioned whether pain relief gas or a TENS machine would have the same effect. I guess by that time in the book, it was assuming I wanted to either avoid them all, or resign myself to getting whatever combination of interventions my overly cautious hospital would throw at me.
There were also no tools provided for natural pain management - it mentioned a few in passing but not in a way that might equip me with them. (Completely unlike Juju Sundin's Birth Skills, which I am also reading, and which is all about preparing to use those tools.)
In fact, the main purpose of the book seemed to be to convince the reader that they absolutely must have an independent, natural birth focused midwife present at the birth - such as the author herself. The fact that I am going to a great hospital with good midwives is apparently not enough, as this makes me an "aspirational but naive" woman who is destined to get all the most intrusive interventions anyway, and then to suffer post natal depression or even post traumatic stress disorder because of how awful the birth will be.
That being said, I learned some helpful concepts in this book - the "cascade of interventions", functional pain, and the likely "crisis of confidence". But in the end, no I'm not going to hire an independent midwife, nor send away my partner because he doesn't like to see me in pain. Instead, the important stuff is going in my birth plan which I'll be discussing (and preparing for) with my partner and midwives. Then I guess we'll wait and see (another category of naive women, by the way).
December 30, 2020
This book seemed to have all the right ingredients to create a great sense of empowerment and sisterhood however it didn’t make me feel confident at all.
On the contrary I think it shames women who even have the slightest thoughts of taking any kind of pain relief during child birth or undergoing anything but a natural physiological birth (by choice or by necessity)
Taunting the reader, Rhea asks frequently throughout the book, are you a savvy willing woman? (You’re not if you don’t endure hours of pain from a natural physiological birth) What are these women then? Ignorant and weak? THEY ARE NOT!
Chapter 4 ( which pain type are you?) Starts off by confirming that ‘choices have consequences’ and goes on to profile outcomes during birth and post birth even going as far as to suggest a woman who takes a ‘wait and see’ approach to pain management during birth will likely cave to pain relief at around 4-6 cms and have ‘ a diminished sense of their stamina and capacity, which is not a great start for the fifty-plus year of mothering coming up’.
How manipulative, narrow minded, unsupportive and untrue! As if any woman needs to hear that!
Really disappointed with the approach this book took. I would recommend this to REAL savvy and willing women who are able to see past the rhetoric, be open and supportive to all birth experiences (through choice or not) and own their individual sense of self achievement.
On the contrary I think it shames women who even have the slightest thoughts of taking any kind of pain relief during child birth or undergoing anything but a natural physiological birth (by choice or by necessity)
Taunting the reader, Rhea asks frequently throughout the book, are you a savvy willing woman? (You’re not if you don’t endure hours of pain from a natural physiological birth) What are these women then? Ignorant and weak? THEY ARE NOT!
Chapter 4 ( which pain type are you?) Starts off by confirming that ‘choices have consequences’ and goes on to profile outcomes during birth and post birth even going as far as to suggest a woman who takes a ‘wait and see’ approach to pain management during birth will likely cave to pain relief at around 4-6 cms and have ‘ a diminished sense of their stamina and capacity, which is not a great start for the fifty-plus year of mothering coming up’.
How manipulative, narrow minded, unsupportive and untrue! As if any woman needs to hear that!
Really disappointed with the approach this book took. I would recommend this to REAL savvy and willing women who are able to see past the rhetoric, be open and supportive to all birth experiences (through choice or not) and own their individual sense of self achievement.
March 6, 2022
Incredible read for me as a midwife. Is directed towards birthing women but gave me tools to improve my midwifery and guide the kind of midwife I want to be.
November 5, 2018
Although I didn’t agree with every idea in this book (especially those that seemed to somewhat promote distrust of medical establishments and their intentions), I still found it extremely useful. It doesn’t dress the birth process up in roses, as it acknowledges the hard work and intensity women face every time, but it does empower you to feel as though you are more in control than you might think. It also encourages you to positively reframe your attitude towards the functional, physiological pain of labour and birth. I am feeling better about heading into the final part of my pregnancy with some of these ideas to accompany me.
January 8, 2017
This book has the power to resource expectant parents, their caregivers, and the wider birthing society.
Rhea Dempsey, a childbirth attendant, educator, author and mother of three articulates and shares her wisdom she has cultivated through her journey.
The book is split into chapters, with "personal reflection" prompts to enable the reader to ask their own questions and develop their own strategies.
Rhea inspires the reader with confidence to navigate a system and culture that imposes challenges that exist for women to have what Rhea phrases a "normal physiological birth".
This book explores what may move a woman along a spectrum to a "willing" and savvy woman, and to one who is also equipped to address her fears, expectations, crisis of confidence and support circle. It does so in a way that introduces theories such as the "cascade of intervention" in a safe, supportive and rational way, without harping. It presents in a way that would resonate with the everyday person, yet does so to a depth that I could identify with in my own personal experience as a midwife.
This book clarified my own confidence in the woman's ability to birth, and is something I would gift to an expectant parent. I would put it on the "essential" reading list of any tertiary midwifery curriculum and suggest that professionals out there review it so that we can better identify the "savvy" woman, and guide those, who wish to pursue normal physiological birth.
Rhea Dempsey, a childbirth attendant, educator, author and mother of three articulates and shares her wisdom she has cultivated through her journey.
The book is split into chapters, with "personal reflection" prompts to enable the reader to ask their own questions and develop their own strategies.
Rhea inspires the reader with confidence to navigate a system and culture that imposes challenges that exist for women to have what Rhea phrases a "normal physiological birth".
This book explores what may move a woman along a spectrum to a "willing" and savvy woman, and to one who is also equipped to address her fears, expectations, crisis of confidence and support circle. It does so in a way that introduces theories such as the "cascade of intervention" in a safe, supportive and rational way, without harping. It presents in a way that would resonate with the everyday person, yet does so to a depth that I could identify with in my own personal experience as a midwife.
This book clarified my own confidence in the woman's ability to birth, and is something I would gift to an expectant parent. I would put it on the "essential" reading list of any tertiary midwifery curriculum and suggest that professionals out there review it so that we can better identify the "savvy" woman, and guide those, who wish to pursue normal physiological birth.
May 25, 2020
I love this book! It was recommended to me by my doula and I now call it my birthing bible. I’ve read it for all 3 of my pregnancies.
Rhea is an Australian midwife, so her views on the hospital system were spot on for me.
This book is an eye opener and so important for any couple about to labour to understand their rights and the tidal wave of decisions made around them that can potentially push them into a birthing experience they don’t want.
Be empowered, read this book!
Rhea is an Australian midwife, so her views on the hospital system were spot on for me.
This book is an eye opener and so important for any couple about to labour to understand their rights and the tidal wave of decisions made around them that can potentially push them into a birthing experience they don’t want.
Be empowered, read this book!
September 27, 2015
If you are an expectant parent and you want a natural birth, please read this. It's is honest about what you will be up against in the challenge of labour, especially in a pain-free society. It will tell you how to embrace the pain, not crumble in the crises ahead. Set yourself up for success, and be savvy to what lies ahead!
January 16, 2020
This is a great book for birth preparation if you want a low / no intervention birth, but probably a little too scaremongering and distrustful of the medical establishment.
January 31, 2024
After this book, I've also started reading Juju Sundin's Birth Skills and immediately prefer Juju's tone and the practical tips for managing the pain of labour.
This Rhea's book mainly covers the context within which we may be making our birthing decisions as women in Australia. While some parts were very helpful, and I'm glad I read it, it wouldn't be the only/main book I'd recommend/read. It felt a little too heavy handed at times, and not reflective of the amazing maternity care I've been experiencing at my local public hospital in the midwifery team. This book could could set people up to feel unnecessarily distrustful and therefore unsafe in what is, on the whole, a very amazing health system.
This Rhea's book mainly covers the context within which we may be making our birthing decisions as women in Australia. While some parts were very helpful, and I'm glad I read it, it wouldn't be the only/main book I'd recommend/read. It felt a little too heavy handed at times, and not reflective of the amazing maternity care I've been experiencing at my local public hospital in the midwifery team. This book could could set people up to feel unnecessarily distrustful and therefore unsafe in what is, on the whole, a very amazing health system.
August 14, 2021
Absolute must read for all modern day women birthing in a such medicalised world! This book was irreplaceable at
helping me with my mindset and understanding of the AU maternity system. I felt educated and informed birthing my baby. I was able to educate my husband on crisis of confidences and when these were likely to occur which enabled him to support me to have an empowered birth. I will be recommending this book to all the pregnant people in my life.
helping me with my mindset and understanding of the AU maternity system. I felt educated and informed birthing my baby. I was able to educate my husband on crisis of confidences and when these were likely to occur which enabled him to support me to have an empowered birth. I will be recommending this book to all the pregnant people in my life.
August 13, 2025
This book provided me with a true dose of reality of what physiological childbirth can feel like, the endurance I would need to push through my pain thresholds, and the importance of having the right people in the room to support me. I did indeed feel confident and trusting that the pain I felt in my birth was productive! I recommend reading closer to birth to prepare the mind and summon the athletic strength it takes to run the marathon of birth.
June 26, 2018
This is the best birth preparation book out there! It is interesting, easy-to-read, educational, and most importantly, empowering. A must-read for every pregnant woman out there - and her support team too.
March 14, 2023
This book really needs to be read with a grain of salt. I got some helpful stuff from it, and am glad I read it, but the language and judgement when it comes to births that aren’t vaginal/no intervention, is terrible.
May 21, 2023
Whilst at times the book can seem a bit preachy and I didn’t enjoy the narrative around medical practitioners having a preference for pain relief, I did find the foundations of this book, in terms of managing a natural birth, very informative and helpful to apply to my own situation.
October 25, 2023
I think this book could have been covered in a third of the pages, felt very repetitive and super focused on the pain of birth. I felt like I was reading the same sentences over and over in different sections. Not my style of writing.
December 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was a different perspective from my last but it did help me have additional information which is great. I love reading the multitude of different perspectives on this topic.
February 27, 2025
Fantastic book—completely changed the way I think about birth and released some old fears and concepts I didn’t even know I had. After reading it I feel empowered and even looking forward to the challenge of a normal physiological birth (as Rhea puts it).
March 30, 2023
Well written and structured. I’m sure the philosophy isn’t for everyone. Good tips on how to be a birth support partner
July 27, 2023
Loved it. Really recommend it for pregnant women. The stuff around pain being good pain like when you do a marathon is fantastic.
March 8, 2024
A great informative read regarding birth choices, crisis of confidence and how to manage in labour. I would recommend for all pregnant women hoping to have a physiological birth
April 3, 2022
If you plan to give birth in a hospital I think this book could be triggering. It’s very much focused on Australian birthing culture. Nothing wrong with that, but I live in Scandinavia and most of what she wrote about the hospitals is just not what we have here. I did like how she spoke about the stages in labor and how to manage pain.
April 24, 2017
This got me kind of riled up (in a good way!) but it's very encouraging. I found the parts about crises of confidence and likening labour to other tough pursuits (eg marathon running, long distance swimming, writing, directing) particularly helpful. It doesn't really offer any practical things to do during labour (see Juju Sundin for that!) but it does emphasise the importance of a good support team, and what a good support team looks like.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews