Creating Your Birth Plan: The Definitive Guide to a Safe and Empowering Birth

by Marsden Wagner, Stephanie Gunning

Helps expectant mothers make informed decisions about their pregnancy and childbirth, furnishing information on what to expect when delivering in a hospital, birthing center, or at home; how to select an advocate; the natural stages of labor; natural alternatives to drugs, surgery, and technology; and explanations of various medical interventions. Original. 25,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2006

About the author

Marsden began his career in public health as a neonatologist and epidemiologist, firstly in California then Denmark. He retired from a distinguished career as head of Maternal and Child Health for the European Office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) after 15 years during which time he chaired the three consensus conferences convened by WHO on appropriate technology around the time of birth. From his current home in Takoma Park, Maryland, Marsden travels the world to talk about improving maternity care, including the appropriate use of technology in birth and utilizing midwives for the best outcomes.
His books, Born in the USA, Creating Your Birth Plan, and Pursuing the Birth Machine, are invaluable for anyone involved in birth.

from https://www.birthinternational.com/ar...

Reviews

[J. Andar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's true that this book is completely one-sided, but I was ok with that because my whole life all the perspectives that I've had about birthing have been on the other side. I felt empowered by this book and more secure in myself. It was the first book that I've read about the actual birth and I thought that if gave me a good starting point. No, I don't agree with the author about everything, but I appreciate his perspective.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think any woman preparing to birth needs to read this book! It is easy to read and really helped me detail my birth plan. Many people looked at this title and asked "what's a birth plan?", these were women who have birthed multiple times and were never told they had options, even in a hospital setting! If you or someone you know is pregnant or planning on pregnancy, this is a great book to give them! I now how the tools to explain what I want and what I don't want!

[Bojana Batič · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers some interesting views on the routines practiced in hospitals regarding childbirth. The author states that most interventions could well be avoided: from birth-inducing medicines to C-sections. I appreciate having learned what I can expect at my labour and what has or does not have sense. I am also glad about the information about the labour positions.
Nevertheless, he seems to want to plant a seed of mistrust in doctors in general. For example, he encourages the readers to ask the hospital personnel questions like "If you have children, how were they born?" What's more, he even proposes the parents record the communication with doctors with a video camera in order to keep a documentation. He therefore views obstetricians as the least trustworthy people out there who should be controlled and given orders by their patients.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Kinda felt like there was a bunch of fear mongering over c-sections like "your scars will feel numb FOR YEARS!" I think there are better ways of being prepared for all possible birth options and being strong in your own patient advocacy during childbirth without going overboard like the book often does. The author, a man, by the way, actually, literally writes "apparently people have different pain thresholds..." WTF. Of course people do. Ain't nobody got time for a man who's trying to shame women about not having a super natural, most orgasmic birthing experience. And I say this all as a yogi who enjoys body awareness, spirituality and female empowerment.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really pivotal book for any mother who has not considered the options she has within birthing.

I knew a significant amount of information within this book due to my own research, but was still great nonetheless.
So I would say it should be REQUIRED reading for green new-moms to know their options in developing a birth plan.

If you have already done a fair amount of research about your options, it’s still a great book, but less required reading and more “up to you”. :)

Honestly, this book was an easy read, and was GREAT in creating a birth plan with my husband. No reason to not read.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful birth prep book; lots of great info on natural childbirth, and how to write a birth plan. Will def use this info to create my own birth plan!

[Little · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is good resource to help you think through the way you want to give birth. Wagner gives some of the arguments for non-medicated childbirth and ends each chapter with questions for you to ponder. On the other hand, don't be fooled. If you and your obstetric care provider (OB or midwife) aren't on the same page, a birth plan isn't going to save you. I used this book to help me formulate the questions I needed to talk over with my doc (For example: what's your rate of c-section? And How long can I labor before I'm given augmenting drugs?) If you and your care provider are thinking about the birth process differently, this book will help you see that, and hopefully that'll give you the courage and incentive to find a new care provider who will work with you to create your optimal birth experience without needing a written birth plan.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so thankful that someone recommended this book to me. It was hands down my favorite resource as I was preparing to give birth for the first time. It's designed to encourage collaboration between pregnant women and their caregivers, and includes information on hospital deliveries, birthing centers, and home births, how to select an advocate to ensure your wishes are honored by your caregiver, the natural stages of labor in a problem-free birth, explanations of various medical or surgical interventions (and potential complications and benefits of each), and natural alternatives to drugs, technology, and surgery. After reading this book I felt so much more prepared and empowered for my firstborn's arrival.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I read this I thought that you just trust your doctor... after I read this, I did a lot of research. Before: I wanted an epidural. After: I wanted to do it all drug-free! Before: Breasts were sexy. After: Breasts were baby's best source of food.
I love the way that childbirth is explained in this book, not as something you just have to endure, but as a process that serves a function. Everything you experience in labor has a purpose.
The main drawbacks of this book are:
1. It's author is somewhat antiquated in his beliefs.
2. It makes you paranoid.
3. It gives an extremely one-sided view of pregnancy and labor.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll recommend this book to others regardless of whether they plan a home or hospital birth. While this book is very centered on how to write your birth plan (along with a realistic plan b and plan c) it provides just enough information to form an educated opinion on a wide variety of important issues. This is a great starting point that will touch upon every degree and phase of the care you may receive without overwhelming the reader. It's thoughtful and balanced. It includes lists of questions to ask your doctor or midwife. There were a couple areas I skimmed that went into too much detail about how to write the plan, but that's my only small criticism.

[Barrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, slightly biased book that gets you thinking about your options. The author throws her opinion in every now and then, but beyond that it was informative. I didn't need the first half of the book since a lot of it talked about choosing who your caregiver would be and where you were planning a birth, and I'm beyond that point right now. If I wasn't confident with my choices I might've given this a higher rating, but a good portion of this book didn't pertain to me so I had to skip around a lot.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book. I especially like that even though it is heavily geared towards a natural, drug-free birth it doesn't completely discount the need or desire for interventions or medications. This book covers the pros and cons of scenarios from at home birth to c-sections and being comfortable with the possibility of needing to deviate from your original plan. It also covers options for once baby has arrived. Most of all it reminds you that this is YOUR body/baby and you should do what you are comfortable with.

[Shellie Gossling · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book from the perspective of a doctor who espouses natural childbirth, but also gives examples of circumstances in which natural childbirth is not possible. It was reassuring to read something encouraging when some of the literature I had picked up was very pro-epidural and demeaning to those who want to try natural childbirth. I loved the information and structure of the book, and the references were sound.

[Kara Maia Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to all my childbirth education students. Written by an obstetrician, the former head of the World Health Organization Maternal and Infant Health Department, and a midwifery and homebirth advocate - this book helps expecting parents decide what care providers and settings are best for you.

[Cacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It covers hospital births, birth centers, home births, doulas, midwives, doctors, Labor and Delivery nurses, complications that could possibly arise etc... Very helpful and after reading this I felt more prepared.

[Lindley Walter-smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like most birth books, this sometimes gets far too caught up in "politics of birth" rather than a balanced account of facts. Overall, though, this is a useful resource with which to work out what you want form birth and how to express it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for all pregnant mamas!

[Brielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers a wide variety of topics. Although the author makes the attempt to appear impartial, it is clear that she favors out-of-hospital births--especially homebirths.

[Bridget Devane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm into pregnancy lit at the moment. Excellent book for any expecting mom to understand the pros and cons of our medical model of delivery vs natural birth.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with great information. I plan to read it for a second time. I highly recommend this book if you plan to become pregnant or are pregnant

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn't love this book. very pushy philosophy

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful! Easy to adapt for yourself.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review here!

http://areadersrapture.blogspot.ca/20...