The Essential Homebirth Guide: For Families Planning or Considering Birthing at Home

I had a birth center tub birth with my first, so I'm not a stranger to natural birth. This book was still very useful in specific homebirth issues like the 36 week home visit, what to have on hand at the time of the birth, and details the midwifes will need to know such as who will be present at the birth (and temperaments of any animals present).

It was a great read. Answered many questions in detail that my doctor failed to answer thoughtfully with my firstborn. Read this in preparation of my home birth. All went well and I had a good idea of what to expect.

This book is so smartly laid out, it is a great read and an excellent quick-reference guide for families planning or considering a homebirth. Drichta and Owen have answered many questions and provide so much information in a manner that allows families to chose their own path with confidence and peace.There are so many books out there that are full of opinions and biases, and most books bury information behind flowery birth stories. This GUIDE really is just that... a guide for families as they approach their birth and it is supported with facts, and beautiful birth stories that are modern and heart-felt.As a birth doula and childbirth educator, I recommend this book to clients and I've added it to my class reading list!

I enjoyed reading this book and liked that it categorized the topics well. I knew a lot of the information already but would be a great book for people that were interested in learning more about home birth options

You can't go wrong with this purchase. I found I read it faster and faster as it moved more into the discussion about the actual moment of giving birth! :) The book provides stories along the way of women's firsthand experiences and did a great job of providing solid information WITHOUT an agenda or bias. Our midwife has been an incredible asset to us, but having this book helped us ask more specific questions that we never would have thought of on our own. Every chapter held a wealth of information - I'm definitely keeping this book close at hand to reference back to throughout the remainder of my pregnancy.

I anticipated the publishing of this book and have now read it cover to cover. This is a great tool for people interested in deciding if homebirth is for their family or anyone interested in making their own choices about birth options. I am a birth doula and will recommend this book to my birthing families. It is well-researched and written, organized in a clear, helpful manner and contains excellent practical information. No details are missing. This is the book we've been waiting for - and now it is here!

As a home birth and freestanding birth center midwife, this is the book I hand all my clients. It is written specifically for out-of-hospital birth clients, and gives an amazing amount of great information that assists women in making truly informed decisions regarding their care. This is not the book to teach you how to free birth, or how to get along with your doctor, or what to expect if you are checking into a hospital.

Easy to read. They break down all of the logistics of home birth in an enjoyable and easily understood format. Great introductory book for those who are just getting started on their home birthing journey.If you've already done your own research done of this may be repetitive.Covers a variety of topics including: nutrition, vbac, siblings, relatives and coworkers, prenatal testing, complications, picking a midwife, preparing for birth, and more.

Very informative. The personal stories are touching emotional and empowering. Inspiration when needed. Very informative and helped create the detailed image I needed to wrap my head around the idea.