Maggie Howell: Effective Birth Preparation [2009] paperback

In response to the success of the award winning "Natal Hypnotherapy CDs" and courses, founder Maggie Howell has published a complete guide to birth preparation. This informative, down to earth and inspiring guide takes the reader step by step through mental, emotional and physical preparation for birth. Based on her ground breaking work with thousands of women and birth professionals, the book explains why birth has become such a traumatic affair in our culture and how an individual woman can break out of this fear based birth culture and prepare for the birth in a positively and confidently. As world renowned Michel Odent states, 'This book is more than a guide book. It is a book about human nature with the Natal Hypnotherapy techniques helping to undo thousands of years of cultural conditioning. Unlike many of the books on pregnancy which are currently available, the guide focuses on emotional, mental as well as physical preparation, explaining what a woman can do to help herself such as relaxation, visualisation, self hypnosis and breathing'.
As midwife Caroline Baddily says, 'How wonderfully refreshing to have a Birth Preparation book that focuses on feelings and emotions rather than on the technicalities of birth'. This is a complete how-to-deal-with fear toolkit for all pregnant women. In addition the book gives women and their partner's step by step practical guidance, tips and tools on how to practice and perfect these techniques for themselves. The reader is encouraged to practise each exercise, to complete the work book section of the book and to take ownership of, and personalise her own birth preparation. As one reviewer, Shona Kitchener said, 'This book is a pocket sized course & therapy session in one! I felt as if someone was sat with me talking through each chapter. This was a life changing read and should be on every pregnant mum's essential purchases list!'. The clear, easy to follow style of the book takes the reader by the hand and supports her in her journey to follow and complete the five steps to a better birth: overcome fear; learn how to manage pain; know you can do it; prepare your birth partner; and, acquire practical skills.
Author and anthropologist Sheila Kitzinger feels, 'The material is well researched and vividly presented, and any woman who studies and rehearses the author's practical suggestions helps herself towards a positive - even exultant - birth experience'. The book is also full of inspiring and heart warming birth stories by mums who have used the tools and techniques, plus interesting facts about childbirth through the ages, which help reinforce the key messages in this book - trust, confidence and belief that your body already knows how to birth your baby.