Holistic Pregnancy and Childbirth

Written by Heather Burton, a certified childbirth instructor and founder of the Midwifery Alliance, and James Marti, executive director of the Holistic Medical Research Foundation, Holistic Pregnancy and Childbirth is a refreshing collection of tips to make every month of pregnancy more comfortable. The authors first explain various holistic therapies, from acupuncture and acupressure to massage, meditation, homeopathy, and yoga, then detail their various roles in each month of pregnancy and in the various stages of childbirth and postbirth bonding. For example, moxibustion, an acupuncture technique that involves burning incense-like cones of herbs, has been shown to be almost 75 percent effective in helping babies move out of breech birth position, thereby preventing cesarean sections. Many other facts in the book are also quite revealing, such as that pregnant women who are having marital problems or are feeling a lack of social support are more likely to give birth to colicky babies.

Women and their partners who are looking for an empowering resource for a healthier pregnancy will find this book to be a solid reference. It explains the difference between doulas, midwives, and obstetricians; the pros and cons of home births, hospital births, birth centers, and water births; and how to determine which of these options is best for your situation. The herbal and other natural techniques for relieving common pregnancy-related problems, such as sciatic pain and insomnia, are bound to come in handy, as are the "Especially for Fathers" sections throughout the book, with tips on ways to keep the mom-to-be comfortable and happy. Month-by-month checkup forms, a guide for further reading, and lists of dozens of natural-health organizations are also included. --Erica Jorgensen