How How to Have a Baby: Mother-Gathered Guidance on Birth and New Babies

by Natalie Meddings

1

Genres: Parenting

389 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2017

Reviews

[Amy]

I’m 7 months pregnant and this book is exactly what I needed. The sheer amount of information on preparing for birth can be overwhelming but this book was like having a conversation with a friend (who also is an expert on birthing!) The book has an non-judgemental, positive, and empowering tone, is easy to digest, and you can be sure contains trustworthy and practical advice.

Apart from a little bit of heteronormative language (which to be honest is expected from baby books), there is nothing I would change. Highly recommend!

[Rachel H]

Gorgeous, such a welcome break from the usual formulaic approach of so many other pregnancy / birth / early days books I've read. Natalie writes in such a warm and encouraging manner and has made me even more excited to meet my little girl soon!

[Jodie Gardner]

This is by far the best book I have read on preparation for birth and the early days of motherhood. Such a friendly, down to earth tone and full of practical tips - I have got highlighter on almost every page. No fluffy language or dreamy ideas - very real and incredibly helpful. I can't recommend this book enough - it really strikes a balance between meeting you where you are, offering realistic advice to make you more informed and build your confidence and preparing you for different eventualities.

[Rebecca Palmer]

Fantastic, delightful read chalked full of helpful information and what felt like a really long hug. Such a breath of fresh air compared to so many other books on childbirth that follow the same progression and format. Highly recommend, even to moms in the USA. Some of the specifics may be in UK jargon but it’s so full of wisdom and eye opening perspective, regardless of where you have your baby.

[Helene]

Very informative. I am so happy a friend gave me this; I started reading it quite early on in my pregnancy and then put it down for several months. The rest I read in my third semester. The advice is excellent. I am definitely less anxious about giving birth than I was before I read this.

My only wish is that the recipes would include vegan options!

[Lyndsay]

Brilliant and helpful, would recommend to any expectant parent. I did not have the more natural birth I planned and that was described in this book but the general philosophy was v helpful in how it describes preparing for birth and early newborn life.

[Megan]

This beautiful book helped completely rebuild my confidence after a tramatic birth whilst pregnant with my second. Look elsewhere for a medical overview of pregnancy/labour/birth. What it does cover is so many things that my antenatal classes simply didn't: how to approach institutional maternity care, what to do in early labour, simple coping methods for labour, ideas for freezer meals, unvarnished views from a variety of women and her own experience of what labour actually feels like, realistic info on establishing breastfeeding... I could go on! It is all time honoured wisdom presented in a thoughtful, gentle way - not surprising since the author is a doula. I so wish I'd had this first time round and will be buying it for pregnant friends in future.

[Mahi Ismail]

Very informative. The kind of book you can keep referring back to throughout your journey with your little one.

[Ellie Dunkley]

This book has so much to offer. Full of wisdom for pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. It’s also just absolutely gorgeous with stunning images. An all round beautiful book. I devoured it and would highly recommend it!