Gentle birth, gentle motherhood

Knowledge is power and the ability to give birth is power. Dr. Sarah J. Through this groundbreaking collection of essays, Buckley, an internationally recognized expert on childbirth, gives expectant parents a powerful tool in the form of an enlightened exploration of what both ancient wisdom and current medical research have to say about childbirth and newborn care. Readers will gain a deep understanding of physiological processes, that accompany normal childbirth, which the author calls "undisturbed childbirth", and they'll understand, what they're gonna lose, if the birthing process is reduced to a medical procedure.

The first part of the book provides a detailed analysis of medicalization in pregnancy and decision-making during labor (including ultrasound, epidural anesthesia, induction of labor, and cesarean section) and offers more subtle alternatives (including unmedicalized labor, home birth, and the absence of active medical assistance during the third stage of labor). This section is interspersed with stories from the author's pregnancies and the births of her four children, all of whom were born at home. The second part of the book explores the science of parent-child bonding, breastfeeding, and infant sleep while encouraging readers to be observant and listen as they make their first decisions in their new parenting role.

Gentle Childbirth, Gentle Motherhood is based on careful research, imbued with deep humanity and written in a sophisticated language. It helps thoughtful mothers and fathers gain knowledge and confidence in themselves, their children, and the grand dance of birthing and raising children.