Farmer and the Obstetrician, by Michel Odent

In his new book Michel Odent shows how farming and childbirth have been industrialized side by side during the 20th century — with dramatic and disturbing consequences. The similarities are striking. In both cases innovations have been presented as the long awaited solution to an old problem: the advent of powerful synthetic insecticides has, overnight, dramatically reduced the costs and increased agricultural productivity; the advent of the modern safe technique of caesarean section has offered serious new reasons to create gigantic obstetrical departments. At the turn of the new century the history of industrialized farming has suddenly speeded up.

A collective global awareness has been sparked by a series of disasters, particularly "mad cow" and foot and mouth diseases. Industrialized childbirth has not yet reached the same phase of its history, but the parallels between these two industries suggest that there is more to link the farmer and the obstetrician than we had all realized

FatherBirth: A Close Encounter of the Fourth Kind, by John B. Franklin, Cher Martin Franklin

To prepare fathers to be fully 'present' at the delivery of their newborn. If you are about to become a father, you have before you the opportunity of a lifetime. Birth is an interruption in the ordinary homogeneity of everyday life, a moment when the veil between the worlds is opened. If you are willing to enter into that opening with your full attention and stay present, moment by moment, you will return to your life with everything you need to grow into your new fathering role connected more deeply to your Self and bonded with your child. And you will never be the same.

A Good Birth, A Safe Birth!, by Diana Korte & Roberta M Scaer (1992.)

Subtitled "Choosing and Having the Childbirth Experience You Want", this popular book is another recommended for doula training. It covers the pros and cons of today's childbirth options and helps the pregnant women plan each stage of her pregnancy and birth. The authors offer tips on how to find the right doctor or midwife, and how to avoid the wrong one. The book also explores the various childbirth environments, including hospital, birth centre and home, and provides information on how to ensure that your wishes are followed. 3rd edition

Gig : Americans Talk About Their Jobs at the Turn of the Millennium, by John Bowe (Editor), Marisa Bowe (Editor), Sabin Streeter (Editor), Sabin C. Streeter, (Crown Publishing, May 23, 2000.)

Americans Talk About Their Jobs at the Turn of the Millennium. Word conducted interviews with and accepted submissions from a wide range of people with an equally wide range of jobs.This is a casual book of over 120 brief first-person narratives. It is not a survey or an anthropological study, but a window onto how other people spend their days and nights. "The most joyous worker in the book is Judith Halek, The 'Doula' (a midwife's assistant)." I was meant to do this, " she says, on eof the few who seem to wear their wok like a natural skin. She has no children of her own, she says, "but then I realized that it's sort of like, my work is so full and so rich, it's my vision. It's myself. My whole being...So I am at peace. My work will be my child. The babies and the mothers I have helped and my articles and my teaching that I do, those will be my children." She alone of all the chronicalers in Gig experiences her calling as connected with the life force. Her isolation provides its own commentary, which along with the other accounts in this book adds up to a bill of particulars against the New Economy that Studs Terkel would doubtless admire." Says Susan Faludi, author of Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man.

HANDBOOK 1: Shoulder Dystocia Handbook

While shoulder dystocia happens infrequently, when it does occur being prepared can save a life. Order this new educational booklet from Midwifery Today and read about shoulder dystocia management, techniques and experiences. You'll find birth stories, tricks of the trade, and heartfelt accounts of shoulder dystocia moments that will reveal the reality and give you confidence to deal with this complication. Authors include Marion Toeple McLean, Gloria LeMay, Gail Hart, Mayri Sagady, Sara Wickham, Jill Cohen, and many others. Over 60 pages, 51/2"x 8".

HANDBOOK 2: The Hemorrhage Handbook

Order The Hemorrhage Handbook and you'll learn the tricks, remedies and philosophy of care involved in hemorrhage and hemorrhage prevention during the childbearing year. Great stories told by expert midwives give you superb insight and a multi-perspective view of bleeding problems that may occur during the prenatal period, the birth or postpartum. You'll learn about the importance of good nutrition as a preventative, how the bloodstream works, emotional factors, herbs to use, the Rhogam controversy, Chinese remedies, anemia and more. Paper, over 80 pages, 5 1/2"x 8".

HANDBOOK 3: Second Stage Handbook

Second stage is exciting for both mother and midwife. It marks the passage of the baby into our world. While first stage may take a long time, second stage is usually much shorter. During this time there are many forces at work. This book will help you learn what second stage really is, and will show you how to keep your faith in the process. It will also explain how to best serve your women at this crucial stage. Our expert practitioners reveal their observations on when to push, what works and choices available for the mother. The medicalization of second stage is explained with comparisons made about home vs. hospital standards of care. You will learn both how we can help protect women from interventions and appropriate interventions if complications should arise. Many birth stories are woven into the pages of this booklet--stories that let you see the second stage of labor through the midwives' eyes and experience various situations that may occur. As you read these stories, you will feel you are there! The booklet also includes many tricks of the trade that have been gathered from years of experience. They are pearls of wisdom not to be missed. Paper, over 70 pages, 5 1/2"x 8".

HANDBOOK 4: Prolonged Labor Handbook

Learn how to prevent prolonged labor. Find what you can do to support mothers through this difficult time. This book discusses the benefits of positioning, trusting birth, and the political ramifications of time assessment and responsibility. You'll learn ways to prevent prolonged labor, including herbal remedies, psychological assessment with loving support, and experience told through story. You'll also discover the difference in care in hospital, clinic and home environments. Paper, over 70 pages, 5 1/2"x 8".

HANDBOOK 5: The VBAC and Cesarean Prevention Handbook

The latest in Midwifery Today's Holistic Clinical Series, The VBAC and Cesarean Prevention Handbook will teach you how to work with VBAC moms and how to prevent cesareans in the first place. VBAC, vaginal birth after a previous cesarean section, is often discouraged by the medical system, but VBACs can be a healing process for mothers that have endured a cesarean and an amazing experience for birth attendants. A woman pregnant after a previous cesarean section has special needs and concerns, and it is very important that her midwife and doula are aware of these and take the proper precautions. The VBAC and Cesarean Prevention Handbook has many articles by midwives, doulas and mothers on the powerful experience of VBAC, as well as technical information about cesarean sections and VBACs designed to help you support VBAC moms in a safe and empowering way, regardless of setting.

HANDBOOKS: Holistic Clinical Series Five-Book Combo

Buy these books individually or as a combination. Great, light resource booklets to Carry in your labor bag. Shoulder Dystocia Handbook, Hemorrhage Handbook, Second Stage Handbook, Prolonged Labor Handbook, VBAC and Cesarean Prevention Handbook.

A Holistic Guide to Embracing Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood, by Karen N. Salt, Karen Salt

Salt's holistic approach unveils for mothers-to-be the backbone of the doula role--to provide support, information, advocacy, and facilitation to women during pregnancy, labor, and early motherhood--and teaches her the many ways to use the doula philosophy to nurture herself through the process. From meditation and relaxation exercises, to fitness and nutrition advice to tips for achieving "positive energy living," this comprehensive guide puts mothers in control of their pregnancy, their birthing experience, and their approach to this wonderful and life-altering time.

The Labor Progress Handbook, by Penny Simkin et al., (Malden, MA: Blackwell Science Ltd., 2000.)

A pocket handbook providing practical advice on the prevention and treatment of dysfunctional labor. For nurses and midwives. Key features include: evidence-based strategies, rationales for techniques, and clear illustrations. Bulleted-outline format. This book is primarily for professionals, to provide information on simple, low or no risk measures to prevent or treat dystocia before it becomes serious enough to require the higher risk and more expensive interventions, including cesarean section. It draws from numerous sources, including scientific publications, experienced physicians and midwives from many countries, and our own experience to assist nurses, midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, and physicians in the differential diagnosis of dystocia by cause, and appropriate treatment.