The Doula's Guide to Empowering Your Birth: A Complete Labor and Childbirth Companion for Parents to Be

by Lindsey Bliss

Lindsey Bliss, who has assisted as a doula at hundreds of births and is herself a mother of seven, reveals here all the wisdom and advice that the doulas, also known as childbirth coaches, share with the new mothers who hire them.

This book covers the period from pregnancy, through birth, to fourth trimester healing, and the beginnings of family life. The focus, however, is on preparing for birth--including topics like how to pick the right childbirth class and the right birthing method. You’ll also see how to assemble the team of professionals, family members, and friends who will support you through labor and birth. Bliss also covers labor and birth, as well as the 11th hour decisions about pain medications and cesarean sections.

Bliss's tone throughout is at once authoritative and confident as well as warm and encouraging. Her concern in her practice as well as in these pages is to listen to and help secure each new mom's own personal vision of a birthing experience that is safe, fulfilling, and meaningful.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published January 9, 2018

Reviews

[Lizzy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book for some real, down-to-earth advice on preparing for giving birth and taking care of a newborn. Her birth stories were an amazing read and provided great perspective on how important it is to stay flexible and open-minded during birth.

[Anlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. I read this book after about eight others, so I found it more basic than I was looking for. Still, I would say it's a great early read for pregnant people and their partners. It is more straightforward than some in that it doesn't get bogged down in the theory and data behind interventions, this or that method, etc. It's also one of the more conversational and inclusive doula books I've read, and it includes lots of personal stories and recipes for nourishing food and home remedies from Bliss and the Carriage House Birth professionals.

[Cassidy Inman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow I am so disappointed. There was only a few things that were good reminders but I did not learn much. And I did not feel empowered as a female when the words chest-feeding and birthing person are used. I am a mother and a strong woman. Childbearing is such a gift we as women were given.

[Haleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book with holistic approach. I gave it a 4/5 because it felt super repetitive at times. Would still recommend.

[Lilith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly inclusive and well-thought-out guide. This particular book is about exploring different ways there are to labor and give birth, offering more than just the typical hospital laying on your back ways that have been pushed on birthing humans for centuries. The author did not use gender language which is something that I have been searching for. I am simply tired of books that refer to all birthers as woman and their partners as men exclusively.

[Hannah Henson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Bliss generally came off as super judgmental. Plus, I don’t buy into ‘men’ having babies, so her ‘tolerance’ when it comes to that but not eating sugar while pregnant, was extremely exhausting. There were a few tidbits I’ll take away, but certainly nothing groundbreaking.

[Goldenrod · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! Cozy and comforting guide. A great starting point for new mamas. I love the ritual bath recipes and comforting recommendations for the birthing room.

Please note that while this is a helpful guide, it cannot replace the support of a doula and childbirth education classes! Don't skimp on support and empowerment at this stage.