womens health

The self can be trusted. This is the message behind Laurie Morgan's beautifully written book, The Power of Pleasurable Childbirth. In this fascinating exploration of modern-day birth practices, Laurie at last answers the question posed by many advocates of non-interventive birth - "Why not just hire a midwife?" Having never had a midwife-assisted birth myself, this was a question I could not fully answer in my own book, Unassisted Childbirth.

Citing examples from her own midwife-assisted birth, as well as those of other women, Laurie proves that the term "non-interventive midwife" is an oxymoron. Birth, like other natural bodily functions, requires privacy. Simply the presence of a midwife at a birth is an intervention. Add to this the fact that midwives are generally required by law to intervene and it is obvious that for a birth to be truly "pleasurable," it cannot be assisted.

Yet Laurie doesn't condemn midwives (or doctors, for that matter) or claim their intentions aren't honorable. In fact, she encourages women to use them as resources - "pick their brains" for what bits of wisdom they DO possess. Just don't assume their presence at birth is necessary or desirable.

The most inspiring parts of the book for me were Laurie's own unassisted birth stories. It is clear that all of her births were both life-changing events, and "ordinary miracles." Her joyful proclamation following her first unassisted birth sums up her feelings beautifully - "Pop a cork! I feel like having a party!"

This book was a joy to read and I highly recommend it to all couples, regardless of how or where they plan to give birth.

Birth books are my passion. Yet I have long ago stopped reading those that keep the prevailing myth in place -- that is, birth is innately painful. I had three babies without pain and wondered where Laurie Morgan has been all of my life when I picked up her book?

The Power of Pleasureable Childbirth is totally validating! As Ms Morgan points out, birth looks to be inherently painful in our society. In other words, our fear of birth is inherited. I figured this out decades ago, with the help of Dr. Grantley Dick-Read and my own babies. As with any legacy from the past, I can choose which ones to carry on. Ecstatic birth has everything going for it whereas the norm -- fear/pain/drugs in birth -- is an old story that no longer serves anyone.

I plan on giving this book to all of my grandchildren. Along with the book, Prenatal Yoga and Natural Childbirth, this will go a long way toward bringing more peace to all our relations. If there is one book to turn the angle of this culture's eye toward the light that birth can be, it is The Power of Pleasureable Childbirth. Thank you Laurie Morgan!

You should know up front that I'm in this book, in a variety of ways: I'm Laurie's mom, the kids' Grandma Annis, and one of the many hard-working editors who helped get this exciting text into print. So, yes, I am a biased reader/reviewer. I'm also an English teacher of 30+ years with lots of reading and editing experience. I'm here to tell you that this book is different from any other you've ever read, on this or any subject. From its intimate detail to its fearless proselytizing, you will be gripped from start to finish. The Power of Pleasurable Childbirth is definitely an "I can't put it down" kind of book. This book is not for the faint of heart or for those who don't want to be bothered by alternatives to the medicalized birth industry in this country. It IS for anyone who cares about life and love and children. Whether you end up agreeing or disagreeing with the writer, your preconceptions will be challenged and your hopes confirmed. This is not a book to "enjoy," but rather one to learn from, question, and remember.