Wonderful Birth Story Book for FREE!

Journey into Motherhood is a book recommended to all Hypnobabies Students, because it is full of wonderful, positive birth stories.  I am so happy to say that Sheri Menelli has decided to give this book away free!  I hope all moms take advantage of this and are inspired by these stories!

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Painless Childbirth Book Review

I enjoyed reading Painless Childbirth by Giuditta Tornetta, she is a birth doula and also uses hypnosis with her clients.   It was a positive, uplifting book about pregnancy and birth.   It is always wonderful to have a book showing that birth can be comfortable and enjoyable.

Reasons I liked this book: 

It shows that birth can be comfortable and enjoyable.  There are some good birth stories included, under many different circumstances, home birth, hospital births, induced births, etc.  These stories demonstrate how mom’s beliefs can create their reality. 

The book helps moms see how they can be empowered by educating themselves and making choices that are best for them and their baby!  Birth is not a one size fits all kind of situation.  Learn what your choices are, trust your body and baby and you can be empowered. 

The only thing that would make me hesitant to say every mom should read the book, is that it is fairly “new-agey”.  Personally, I am pretty open minded, so this didn’t bother me.   I just took what I liked and dismissed what didn’t fit into my beliefs.  For instance, Giuditta divided the book into 10 months, and connected the chakras to the different months of pregnancy.   I found that interesting, but others might be turned off by that.  

Some moms are very hesitant to try hypnosis for childbirth, because they worry it won’t fit into their belief structure.  One thing I like about Hypnobabies is that it is very main stream and can fit into anyone’s beliefs.  It isn’t new-agey at all.  I would worry that some of these moms, if they started to read this book would straight away assume that hypnosis is only for new-agey people. 

In conclusion I would let moms know if they are open to new and different ideas, then this is a great book for them to read in preparation for birth.    It will give them some tools and ideas to help them prepare for birth and parenting.  I would add that they most likely will need more than just this book for preparation.  If they want more tools, scripts, childbirth information, etc. Hypnobabies would give them these things. 

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Good Prenatal Yoga Exercise DVD

I read this great review on Molly Reads Blog for a Prenatal Yoga DVD.  

It is called Yoga for Your Pregnancy by Yoga Journal and Lamaze.  You should go read Molly’s post, because she has actually used it.  She is also a wonderful Childbirth Educator, so she knows her stuff!  But is sounds like a great exercise tool for expecting and even postpartum moms.

Molly finishes her review saying, “There is an interview with the instructor as one of the bonus features and she talks about her planned homebirth which progressed very quickly and so she ended up having an unplanned unassisted birth, which I thought was cool. She also talks about using hypnosis to prepare for birth.” 

Yoga and Hypnosis are great in combination in preparing for and birthing your baby. 

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Climate of Confidence

I just read this wonderful book review of Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth. 

Then I read the reviewer, Molly’s other insights about the book.  She says, ” In the opening chapter, they identify a concept that I have *felt* for some time, but hadn’t really put a finger on. The authors refer to it as a “climate of confidence” and a “climate of doubt.” I love this way of articulating the messages swirling around pregnant women in our society.”

I think this is wonderful observation as well.  I also think it is one of the great things about Hypnobabies, it helps mothers develop that climate of confidence within themselves.  In the Hypnobabies Yahoo Group they are surrounded by other women who have that same positive attitude.  This has helped encourage mothers to make more empowered choices during their births.  They refuse to buy into the climate of doubt that is so pervasive in the birthing world right now. 

Thanks for the great review and insights Molly!

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Want a good book to read?

Pushed:  The Painful Truth about Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block is a fascinating look into the care of pregnant women in America today.   

Read a full review here, which includes 2 small sections you should probably skip if you are trying to GIP (gestate in peace).

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