What I Have Been Reading in Preparation for Baby #2

I had no idea that I was reading a book to prepare for birth when I opened up Woman's Anatomy of Arousal. My friend and colleague Sokhna Mabin turned me on to Sheri Winston's work and man am I glad she did.

In reading this book I learned more about female anatomy and sexual response than I had in all of my years of formal education and postgraduate studies.

If you want to delve deeper into learning how to open your sphincters by getting primal then check this book out. Sheri will guide you through practices in both solo and partner sex that will allow you to deeply relax and open,key factors in good sex and good birth. Have fun with this one!

Next I binge read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. The first half if this text is filled with beautiful accounts of natural childbirth that span about 3 decades and take place in homes and the birthing center on "The Farm." The book next takes you on a journey through the overmedicalization of birth. We are then guided through chapters where we learn about the physiology of pregnancy and labor and are introduced to common interventions and medications.

There is so much to take away from this book but I hope to bring a couple key things with my into my birth. First, I expect to draw on all of the successful natural birth stories for confidence and strength. Second, I recognize the importance of staying primal in order for labor to progress. To me this means spending minimal time in my thinking brain. "Sphincter Law"(how great is that title?) explains this concept in greater detail.

Hypnobirthing, The Mongan Method was my next and current read. So far I have been reminded of the powerful connection between the mind and the body and am excited to read on to learn specific techniques for relaxation, breathing and visualization. Audio guided meditations and affirmations accompany this text. After all " what is experienced in the body is determined in the mond." Thanks to Brrasie Walmer for sharing this one.

I truly believe that these 3 books have the power to change birth in our country. Send me a note to continue this conversation or let me know what is on your must read list. emily@newseasonspt.com