I believe that Ms. Kitzinger is British, if I remember right. I think that childbirth is less intrusive, less medical in Great Britain. I know that women all over the world have their babies at home, and even did in the U.S. for many years, but I think a hospital is the way to go, even for young, healthy women with normal pregnancies.

I have to comment on one previous review. NOWHERE in this book do I remember reading that the author said it was OK to drink any alcohol or a lot of coffee. I think the person who wrote that review meant well, but is totally mixed up. I don’t believe there’s any pregnancy book out there that condones drinking alcohol.
Rating: 2 / 5

I am very saddened to see the language made PC — and thus weak. I do not want references to my birth partner — I want clear references to my husband!! It took both of us to creat this life, it will take both of us to birth it, and both of us to rasie it. A baby, a child, NEEDS a mom and a dad; I waited 33 years till I had a husband to have a baby.

This constant PC — weak — let’s not insult anyone phrasing — is giving people the wrong impression. If we write fathers out of our information, that it is too easy for a young woman to think she doesn’t need one. Yes unwed pregnancy happen — but they should NOT be encouraged as “normal” or as “a choice” — they should be addressed, but the entire tone of expectations should not be changed on their account.

Rating: 4 / 5

* Before the New Age birthing techniques came along, women’s childbirth fears were due to the “socially inculcated lack of confidence we felt in our bodies and in ourselves…” (p 7)

* Women are likely to argue, and are encouraged to argue, with their doctors, who are too stupid, backwards, and generally not with it to be able to understand a pregnant woman’s needs. (pp 48-9)

* Women may dread going to prenatal appointments because of the “cool indifference, rigid authoritarianism, or patronizing behavior” of their caregivers. (p 153)

* “Some men see their partners as their mothers” (p 160) NOTE: the word “husband” has been banished fom Kitzinger’s book; all that’s left is “partner.” What a wonderfully sloppy word. What are they going to do after the child is born–form a joint corporation?

* “In the atmosphere of a busy doctor’s office women often feel they have become part of the factory process.” (p 163)

* “The language used by men about women’s bodies–especially their genitals–is often degrading…” (p 240)

* More pages are devoted to water birth (pp 284-91) an extremely uncommon birth technique that seems to be mainly employed by Russians and ex-hippies, then pages devoted to C-sections (pp 336-41).

One more point. Someone reading Ms. Kitzinger’s book may think it’s the gospel truth because Ms. Kitzinger is a medical doctor. Um, well, you see, Ms. Kitzinger–Sheila–is NOT a medical doctor. But she’s at least a licensed midwife, right? Actually, no. A nurse at least? Nope. A “doula”? Uh-uh. Sheila is an ANTHROPOLOGIST. Think about it.
Rating: 1 / 5