5.0 out of 5 stars This book is Amazing full of Great & Reliable Information!

C.G. · 8 June 2024

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I read and followed a lot of advice from this book to have my last baby at home.The book is full of great information and well supported practical advice. Despite being 43 my pregnancy was very healthy with no extra risk of complication. I had my little son at home as I wished, all went so well. It was one of the most special, memorable and empowering moments of my life. This book helped me to understand many birth mechanisms and remind me to connect with and trust my body.

5.0 out of 5 stars Without this book, my birth wouldn't be the amazing experience it was!

M. · 9 June 2024

The combination of research and intuitive approach is very rare in the birth world. This books offers that. I recommend every parent and birth worker reads it. The wisdom within, the respect for the baby and the birth process shines through- this is something very rare in the world where doing too much too soon, or too little too late is incredibly common. At the core the writing, there is deep reverence for birth, for the power of your body (and soul)...something that will serve you and your baby very well in birth and beyond. This book gave me the courage to ask questions, to dig deeper, to remember that my baby is an equal partner (and my teacher) in the process of birth. Babies do not have an agenda. Our babies and our bodies are on our side, always. Thank you Dr Buckley. Forever grateful, mama of a baby born gently, into his fathers arms, in water, and with joy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Empowering

K. · 17 March 2014

A truly beautiful book for any mother-to-be (or father!), who is feeling slightly swept up by the medicalisation of birth and wants to reclaim her natural empowerment for the birthing process! I've always thought I would have a natural birth, but when I became pregnant suddenly wanted to research more into 'why' I wanted to shy away from epidurals and other drugs and procedures that would distance me from the birthing experience and in turn my baby.Sometimes this book I felt goes into too much scientific study and I did skim-read some parts where there was too much detail about studies against each drug, but I'm still giving it 5/5 as it really is a testament to the female body and how we are DESIGNED to birth naturally. Ofcourse, if emergency situations genuinely arise, then I am grateful for having a hospital nearby, but, a natural undisturbed birth is what I feel we should ALL be aiming for, for the best start we can give ourselves as parents, and our babies as new beings into this world.

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book but check evidence given!

A. · 5 April 2017

Ok so first off I will say that I love this book, the approach is so so positive and I think it's a must read for every student midwife or mother to be. However, I do believe that you should read into things further. Look up the references at the back of the book and you will find that in some cases they do not actually support Sarah's claims! If you have a genuine interest in an issue brought up in the book PLEASE look into the references and make up your own mind about their findings and pencil in some little notes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read for all moms to be

M.W. · 4 March 2014

This book will hopefully dispel all the negative stories you will hear surrounding childbirth as a first time mom to be. Written in easily accessible language with clear descriptions of all the elements of childbirth from pain relief to breast feeding, this is one of the best books I have come across in the run up to the birth of my first child.It takes a very natural approach to childbirth - sometimes a bit overly so for some (I don't think I'll be having a lotus birth, for example) , but if you are hoping to achieve a natural childbirth with minimal intervention in the form of drugs etc, then this is your bible. Buckley's own accounts of the birth of her children are also a delight to read and will fill you with positivity.

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST HAVE!

K. · 11 August 2015

I simply loved this book! If you plan to have a natural birth this is a must have! The writer uses a simple language to explain how our body works so that you can gain more confidence as a mom who wants to know as much info as possible when it comes to giving birth without blindly relaying on doctors and midwives. I feel so much more educated and ready to give birth now. I suggest to start reading it as early as possible as it also helps with creating a birth plan adn gatehring questions for your midwife.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for any new parent.

L.P. · 8 June 2020

A must read for any parent to be. Evidence based information about birth and beyond. I loved the birth stories. They really empowered me.

4.0 out of 5 stars Informative

R.L. · 5 November 2013

Personally most of the information in here is not new as I've already read articles that cover similar topics from writers such as Chris Kresser or from antenatal courses. It does collate all the information with detailed supporting studies all together in one handy book. Topics covered include ultrasounds, epidurals, c-sections, placenta delivery, and breast feeding supported by stories from Sarah's own experiences. I chose this book over Ina May's Guide to Childbirth because it covered post-natal topics. However, it doesn't cover practical tips on labour pain management and HOW to have a gentle birth. It focuses more on what you should avoid and provides recommended reading for the how-to's. So I'm now considering reading Ina May after all.

Thought provoking and well researched

A. · 21 March 2024

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } Knowledgeable author, personal experiences as well as extensive research listed, very interesting read.

Should buy

A.C. · 8 August 2019

Recommend for every expecting mom.

A written reclamation of every woman’s birth right!

M. · 7 January 2022

Dr. Sarah Buckley’s book Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering is a written reclamation of every woman’s birth right!Through these chapters, we journey between worlds~ the medical, the natural and the personal, and are invited to explore all with an open mind and intuitive heart to make an informed choice. She reminds us that through Healing birth, we are healing the Earth; taking us back in time to when birth was a powerful initiation for our ancestral mothers; a rite of passion, love, power and surrender. Where birth meets death, and death meets life- like the changing of Mother Earth’s Seasons, of the moons phases, of the natural cycle of all life where “birth is as safe as life gets”. Her hopes in writing this book is that each woman recognizes the “importance of taking the time to think and feel...of using heart and mind to make the choices that best serves our Children to be, our families, and ourselves”Through each of the trimesters,she shares her own stories of pregnancies, birth and Beyond, weaving in the intuitive and nature(al) ways of pregnancy and,the dance of birth intertwining with informative research and scientific knowledge about the nourishment of breastfeeding, the benefits and dangers of medical interventions and...”when to leave well enough alone.”In the poetic and magical words of Sarah, “Finally...birth is vast and multifaceted; radiant and mysterious. Birth contains multitudes, and through her we birth our multitudes. We give birth to our hopes and fears, to our ecstasies and our agonies, to our joy and our disappointments. We give birth to our babies, each one perfect and radiant. We give birth through our instinct,which will match us perfectly with our babies, who are, and always will be, instinctive creatures.May we all be blessed through instinctive birth”.

Read it. Trust me

S.W. · 4 April 2025

I will always and forever recommend this book. I’m a doula and this has been su ch a great resource to pull out. Even in my own life this has helped me feel empowered to make the decisions I want as a mother.

If you can only buy one book, buy this one!

S.R. · 15 July 2014

I loved loved loved this book. I loved it so much I read it twice and then practically copied the whole thing into my notes. Sarah Buckley is an inspiration. Perfect book for any expecting parents, provides some really helpful food for thought on the impact and importance of birth. Although she is a doctor herself, she is UC-friendly and did lotus births with her babies. Superb!