What do you think?
Rate this book
The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence
The Official Lamaze Guide helps expectant parents experience childbirth with confidence. In clear, easy-to-understand terms, this book dispels the myths that pregnancy and birth are fraught with risk. Lothian and DeVries offer solidly researched evidence to document that common medical interventions (such as pitocin, epidural block, c-sections, IV fluids, and electronic fetal monitoring) often have the effect of putting both mother and baby at greater risk than an intervention-free or "normal" childbirth. In collaboration with Lamaze International, the authors bring decades of professional and personal experience backed by strong research support their views on preparing women for childbirth. iParenting Media Awards 2006 Excellent Product Parenting
- GenresNonfictionParentingAdult
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
49 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 18, 2015
Perhaps I am being too critical because the book was not at all what I expected.
According to Merriam Webster, Lamaze is a method of preparing women to give child birth without the use of drugs.
I had always thought of it as drug free coping methods in labor, specifically breathing exercises, which is the Google definition.
I was expecting a focus on laboring techniques. Instead, it is just another pregnancy, labor, and delivery book with very little to say about coping methods during childbirth. Mostly I read that women's bodies naturally know what to do, that it can help to move, rock, chant, recite birth affirmations, and get into any position that seems right. Water births, birthing balls, squating, and getting on hands and knees are also encouraged.
The book talks mostly about the history of childbirth, the evils of modern medicine, the glories of "natural" birth (as if using medicine makes a birth unnatural), body appreciation, beginning breastfeeding, how to negotiate rights in the hospital, and other topics typical pregnancy books cover.
There were parts of this book I liked, but there were also parts I obviously really did not like. I'm glad I read the first part of about how interventions are almost always evil while my husband was watching T.V. in the same room so that I didn't have fully focus on the book. I actually felt like parts of the book were using fear to drive me away from a method of birth the author felt was unworthy.
For example, the author states that doctors often try to induce a woman before the baby is ready. I agree that this can happen. She then says that the brain development is so rapid in the final days before birth, that it can make a huge difference to be born even one day early. Then she cites evidence that babies born prematurely are twice as likely to die in their first year of life!
What a scare tactic! Anyone who thinks about that statistic would realize that she is lumping babies induced at 39 weeks with babies who are born at 24 weeks, when a baby is first considered viable.
I did like the birth stories and some of the wisdom, but the hating on doctors in general got on my nerves. The more I have researched, the more I have found that there is a lot of truth to what Lothian says -- for example, that c sections are good for saving lives, not as an elective way to get out of labor and delivery. I absolutely agree with that, as does The Mayo Clinic Guide, which is written by doctors. But I felt like just because some doctors are bad, doesn't mean that they all are.
According to Merriam Webster, Lamaze is a method of preparing women to give child birth without the use of drugs.
I had always thought of it as drug free coping methods in labor, specifically breathing exercises, which is the Google definition.
I was expecting a focus on laboring techniques. Instead, it is just another pregnancy, labor, and delivery book with very little to say about coping methods during childbirth. Mostly I read that women's bodies naturally know what to do, that it can help to move, rock, chant, recite birth affirmations, and get into any position that seems right. Water births, birthing balls, squating, and getting on hands and knees are also encouraged.
The book talks mostly about the history of childbirth, the evils of modern medicine, the glories of "natural" birth (as if using medicine makes a birth unnatural), body appreciation, beginning breastfeeding, how to negotiate rights in the hospital, and other topics typical pregnancy books cover.
There were parts of this book I liked, but there were also parts I obviously really did not like. I'm glad I read the first part of about how interventions are almost always evil while my husband was watching T.V. in the same room so that I didn't have fully focus on the book. I actually felt like parts of the book were using fear to drive me away from a method of birth the author felt was unworthy.
For example, the author states that doctors often try to induce a woman before the baby is ready. I agree that this can happen. She then says that the brain development is so rapid in the final days before birth, that it can make a huge difference to be born even one day early. Then she cites evidence that babies born prematurely are twice as likely to die in their first year of life!
What a scare tactic! Anyone who thinks about that statistic would realize that she is lumping babies induced at 39 weeks with babies who are born at 24 weeks, when a baby is first considered viable.
I did like the birth stories and some of the wisdom, but the hating on doctors in general got on my nerves. The more I have researched, the more I have found that there is a lot of truth to what Lothian says -- for example, that c sections are good for saving lives, not as an elective way to get out of labor and delivery. I absolutely agree with that, as does The Mayo Clinic Guide, which is written by doctors. But I felt like just because some doctors are bad, doesn't mean that they all are.
June 5, 2012
Frightening, combative, and often factually inaccurate, this is less a helpful manual and more a piece of propaganda. Even approaching this book as someone who already agrees with its basic premise - that many US births are terribly impersonal and over-medicalized and that women need more options - I found the authors' tone and attitude extremely off-putting. "Natural childbirth" is used interchangeably with the phrase "normal childbirth," despite the obvious fact that, statistically, it is not. Women who choose inductions are painted as selfish prima-donnas whose impatience may bring about their child's untimely death. The circumcision section is laden with loaded phrases such as "Don't be fooled into believing your baby won't feel any pain." Hospitals are established quite clearly as The Enemy, and pharmacological pain relief options are barely even discussed, denying readers any chance to make an actually informed decision about the shape of their labor.
In short, the authors have taken the chance to write a helpful guide and squandered it on the creation of a manipulative polemic. This book was a waste of my time.
In short, the authors have taken the chance to write a helpful guide and squandered it on the creation of a manipulative polemic. This book was a waste of my time.
June 21, 2022
Generous 3 stars. Definitely too biased to be widely accessible unless you're willing to read with a heavy grain of salt, as I did. There's some great info and some perhaps questionable info (as with any "guide" book) but the tone, which promises to be positive, is actually pretty negative when referencing giving birth in a hospital with a physician. Not helpful for someone who literally does not have a choice but to give birth in a hospital with a physician, as I live in one of the regions in North America with the worst access to midwives and non-existent birth centres.
Still, gave me lots of things to think about, ask my doctor and/or doula, and I AM interested in and agree with the six Lamaze principles, so have signed up for a birthing class with a Lamaze certified instructor.
The history of North American birth practices is fascinating and infuriating. My poor grandmothers.
Looking forward to doing more reading about birth and building my confidence/diminishing anxiety and fear about birth. This book did help with that somewhat so it did its job but I imagine it wasn't on my doula's "recommendations" list for a reason, haha.
Still, gave me lots of things to think about, ask my doctor and/or doula, and I AM interested in and agree with the six Lamaze principles, so have signed up for a birthing class with a Lamaze certified instructor.
The history of North American birth practices is fascinating and infuriating. My poor grandmothers.
Looking forward to doing more reading about birth and building my confidence/diminishing anxiety and fear about birth. This book did help with that somewhat so it did its job but I imagine it wasn't on my doula's "recommendations" list for a reason, haha.
August 23, 2020
I liked the practical medical information and what to expect during labor. I didn’t like the scare tactics and trying to convince you that giving birth in a hospital is a terrible choice. If you have a low-risk pregnancy and want to have a water birth, then have at it, but if you want to have an epidural and chill the fuck out that’s cool too. If you can get past the judgmental tone in some parts, the actual medical information is helpful without being too lovey-dovey. Think I’ll still need a birth class, though.
November 2, 2019
Nothing new. It's fine, has all the citations it needs, and provides some new studies I hadn't seen.
Ask me about my Lamaaze rant if you're interested. :)
Ask me about my Lamaaze rant if you're interested. :)
February 16, 2012
Once you get past all the not-so-subtle hospital and OB-bashing, the premise behind this book is a good one: as women, we were designed and built to grow and deliver babies. While I still plan to deliver my second baby in a hospital under the care of an OB, I have also gained some valuable lessons from reading this book:
1. Hire a doula to help with physical, emotional and psychological comfort before, during, and after labor.
2. Refuse all interventions for as long as possible unless medically necessary; for example: pain medications (when pain is interrupted, the release of natural chemicals that aid labor are also interrupted), EFM (continuous electronic fetal monitoring often leads to false alarms), pitocin (give it one more hour and see what happens since pitocin leads to being confined to bed, an IV, and much harder contractions).
3. Request that the baby be put directly on my chest after birth, goo and all, then cover with a warm blanket. The amniotic fluid and vernix (the creamy white, lanolin-like substance) provide familiar smells to comfort the baby after leaving the womb. The first bath can wait until after the baby has had a chance to breastfeed.
4. Since I am not at high risk of passing Hep B on to my child, wait until the one month check up before starting any shots.
1. Hire a doula to help with physical, emotional and psychological comfort before, during, and after labor.
2. Refuse all interventions for as long as possible unless medically necessary; for example: pain medications (when pain is interrupted, the release of natural chemicals that aid labor are also interrupted), EFM (continuous electronic fetal monitoring often leads to false alarms), pitocin (give it one more hour and see what happens since pitocin leads to being confined to bed, an IV, and much harder contractions).
3. Request that the baby be put directly on my chest after birth, goo and all, then cover with a warm blanket. The amniotic fluid and vernix (the creamy white, lanolin-like substance) provide familiar smells to comfort the baby after leaving the womb. The first bath can wait until after the baby has had a chance to breastfeed.
4. Since I am not at high risk of passing Hep B on to my child, wait until the one month check up before starting any shots.
June 11, 2017
I bought this book because I was looking for an objective summary of options and approaches that are available to me in delivering my baby. What I got was a mixed bag - definitely some good stories and recommendations on how to manage a natural child birth, but also quite a lot of what I feel is biased opinion and repetition of the dangers of hospital deliveries / unsound "routine" medical care. I ascribe to the "you do you" camp whenever possible, so I found that aspect of the book rather annoying.
I'm not sorry I read it, because I do feel more informed about the process of delivering and post-birth care. Just know if you pick up this book, the authors have clear positions on recommending home birth, midwifery, and minimal medical intervention. Justified? Maybe. But some of us know that isn't in the cards for us and we're looking for "confidence" - not fear we're doing the wrong thing.
I'm not sorry I read it, because I do feel more informed about the process of delivering and post-birth care. Just know if you pick up this book, the authors have clear positions on recommending home birth, midwifery, and minimal medical intervention. Justified? Maybe. But some of us know that isn't in the cards for us and we're looking for "confidence" - not fear we're doing the wrong thing.
March 14, 2022
Nothing new under the sun.... I could have found most of this info from a Google Search..... I thought this was going to give me actual exercises - both mental and physical - to prepare for birth. it was mostly just a lot of hospital bashing and home birth touting... Not everyone is in a position to have a home birth and it felt like all the positive anecdotes came from the home birth quotes and the negative ones came from hospital experiences. i felt kind of shamed and unsupported reading this book based on my decision to actually switch from a home birth model to a hospital...... i recommend other, more holistic books rather than this one if you are looking for something supportive of your personal birth plan, regardless of where it is to take place.
November 30, 2024
The books shames women who have chosen OBs as their caregivers and hospitals as their birthing locations. It shames women for opting for prenatal testing, including the line that "women are ruining their pregnancies with prenatal testing". It shames women who can't breastfeed, denegrating any who choose formula. It is incredibly abilist, and does not take into account the fact that women are having their first children at older ages. One particular vile passage recounts one woman's choice to birth at home, saying that she knew she would always do so because she is a feminist, as though any woman that births in a hospital can no longer call herself a feminist. Seriously, can we stop attacking other women for making different choices? This book assumes that all women that are in the care of doctors rather than midwives are uninformed victims that will do any and everything their doctors tell them to, have no opinions of their own, and are absolutely incapable of advocating for themselves and their babies with their care team. In the intro, it is mentioned that this book doesn't use fear mongering, but the authors repeatedly refer to any interventions in natural birth having dire consequences. The level of shaming other women is even more nauseating than any first trimester morning sickness.
July 25, 2017
I purchased this book on Amazon after my Lamaze birth class instructor recommended it. I enjoyed reading it, lots of great advice. Much of the information was repetition from the classes I took, but I actually enjoyed this. It helped cement all of the information in my mind.
The section on parenting and taking care of a newborn was also great. So often, moms-to-be are given every kind of education on pregnancy and labor, but not enough on what to do after. I liked how they said to have confidence in your intuitive ability to parent and to take advice with a grain of salt. Every baby is different and things that we're normal or safe a generation ago may not be true today.
The section on parenting and taking care of a newborn was also great. So often, moms-to-be are given every kind of education on pregnancy and labor, but not enough on what to do after. I liked how they said to have confidence in your intuitive ability to parent and to take advice with a grain of salt. Every baby is different and things that we're normal or safe a generation ago may not be true today.
January 28, 2019
This book is literally titled "giving birth with confidence, " but it's really mostly geared towards supporting people in birthing at home with no medical interventions. If this is the type of birth you want, this book will help you feel great about skipping the hospital. But if you are the type who like to give birth at the hospital, this book will tell you lots of reasons you should be fearful of the hospital. There are lots of great things about the book as well- a Woman's body is designed for childbirth and there are many medical interventions which should be avoided, but i hated that it focused on the fear side of the hospital so much.
January 4, 2021
If you are not planning on having a natural birth/home birth, you will probably hate this book. Although it is technically geared toward all women, no matter how they plan on doing things, it is definitely negative towards hospital births. However, I did not mind this since I am planning a home birth and therefore found the book to be very helpful for me. I have a negative disposition towards hospitals anyway, having had my first in a hospital. So I agree with the author that the natural event of birthing a child is over-medicalized these days. This book gave me the boost of confidence I needed for planning my home birth. Recommended to other women who are planning a natural birth
December 6, 2021
This book helped me figure out what I want for my birth plan. It broke down the biological and physiological processes of pregnancy and birth, and how they can happen healthfully and naturally, or through controlled medical intervention. I feel informed after reading this book, knowledgeable, and sure of what I want and don’t want. I feel confident that I can give birth without being stuck to a hospital bed with an IV and numbed. I understand the physical and emotional benefits to both mother and baby of eschewing drugs and surgery, and look forward to providing my baby a fully present, non-traumatic entry into this world. Super helpful!
February 25, 2018
I’m preparing to be one of my daughter’s birth coaches at the birth of her first child. I read this book to update myself in Lamaze since it is almost 46 years ago I read a Lamaze book before delivering my daughter.
I expected breathing techniques but found no specifics of the panting & other procedures I remember. Instead this is a book encouraging women to select the kind of birth best for the mother and baby.
Say no to epidurals, episiotomy, pain meds, baby heart monitors and say yes to listening to your body. A mother’s body knows what to do.
I expected breathing techniques but found no specifics of the panting & other procedures I remember. Instead this is a book encouraging women to select the kind of birth best for the mother and baby.
Say no to epidurals, episiotomy, pain meds, baby heart monitors and say yes to listening to your body. A mother’s body knows what to do.
January 14, 2018
Not a big fan. The author strikes a tone of disdain toward anything related to doctors, hospitals, medical interventions, and basically anything other than giving birth at home. Instead of simply providing information and encouragement, she layers on the shame and guilt for anyone who chooses something other than her own ideal. There are a few pearls of wisdom, but overall there are much better books out there on natural childbirth.
January 7, 2020
This was a great book, recommended by my doula. Again, probably best received by someone who’s considering a natural birth though it didn’t feel slanted. There are pages of references at the back to provide evidence-based support of statements throughout the book. When I came across an interesting fact, I used those references to delve deeper into the science supporting the claim.
May 5, 2021
If you’re looking for a good book to read to learn about all the pros and cons of all the different decisions you’ll have to make during pregnancy and labor and delivery and for the baby after birth I really recommend this one. It was so so helpful by helping me feel more prepared and knowledgeable!!
April 2, 2022
I recommend skipping the first 7 chapters. They're heavily biased against hospitals/doctors and felt like wading through propaganda. The tips around giving birth and the fourth trimester are a good launch point to develop your own curiosity and start thinking about what you would like your childbirth experience and beyond to be.
September 1, 2023
Provides a basic overview of labor and delivery with a lot of evidence to support the decision to give birth unmedicated. I didn’t really learn anything new and the writing was fine. Glad I read it but was not anything life changing. I’d skip if you are currently pregnant unless you are doing the classes, in which case it might be a helpful companion.
July 17, 2017
This is very anti-hospital and anti-OB, but there is some good and encouraging information. I also found it repetitive, but I am not a first time mom. I read this as part of becoming a certified Lamaze childbirth educator.
January 4, 2022
This book is essentially the 6 steps to a healthy birth Lamaze class. Because I took the class online, I found the book helpful to review the principles again. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a comprehensive approach to preparing for a safe and healthy childbirth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2018
It wasn't a Lamaze method book like I expected, but it was an excellent childbirth book backed up by lots of research.
March 24, 2019
Great book! Lots of info about pregnancy, natural birth, recovery and early parenting. A great read!
December 31, 2020
Very informative! Really did help me have more confidence about the process !
March 12, 2023
Excelente guía si estas pensando embarazarte, estas embarazada o si ya tuviste a tu bebé.
October 31, 2023
Nonfiction
A bit outdated, but still amazing information!
A bit outdated, but still amazing information!
February 5, 2013
Reading some books, preparing for my second child. Didn't care for this one. Instead of taking a rational and reasoned approach, all hospitals and doctors are labeled as Evil.
I don't know if there are different versions of this book; the book I read was published in 2005, and it was seriously outdated for me. Either much has changed since then, or I live in a very progressive area. My first child was born in 2010, and the hospital followed ALL the 'advice' offered in this book. I had complete control of everything, they in-room the babies, you snuggle with your newborn immediately, they don't harass you if you decline a treatment, there are birthing balls and a birthing tub, the doctors and nurses generally leave you alone to do your thing, etc etc etc. Also, the authors seem to think that prenatal vitamins are the worthless. Huh? Everything I've read says that the DHA vitamins are especially good for baby, and it's generally recommended you continue taking them while breastfeeding too.
Basically this book was worthless to me. Instead, I'd recommend reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: Updated With New Material. It was also a bit outdated, but it was more informative and more balanced. Talks about empowering your body, and generally believing you can give birth. Discusses some bad hospital procedures (see above complaints about this book), but does so in a balanced manner and recognizes that there is a time and place for medical intervention.
I don't know if there are different versions of this book; the book I read was published in 2005, and it was seriously outdated for me. Either much has changed since then, or I live in a very progressive area. My first child was born in 2010, and the hospital followed ALL the 'advice' offered in this book. I had complete control of everything, they in-room the babies, you snuggle with your newborn immediately, they don't harass you if you decline a treatment, there are birthing balls and a birthing tub, the doctors and nurses generally leave you alone to do your thing, etc etc etc. Also, the authors seem to think that prenatal vitamins are the worthless. Huh? Everything I've read says that the DHA vitamins are especially good for baby, and it's generally recommended you continue taking them while breastfeeding too.
Basically this book was worthless to me. Instead, I'd recommend reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth: Updated With New Material. It was also a bit outdated, but it was more informative and more balanced. Talks about empowering your body, and generally believing you can give birth. Discusses some bad hospital procedures (see above complaints about this book), but does so in a balanced manner and recognizes that there is a time and place for medical intervention.
May 15, 2011
Just finished the book and LOVED it! Some people have complained that the book portrays the healthcare system unfairly or is overly biased. I merely found it to be incredibly informative and supportive of all women giving birth, no matter where or how they choose to do so. Although the authors are of course openly in favor of natural birth, I think their main objective is to make sure that women are correctly educated so that they can make choices for themselves and their babies according to the facts of nature and not merely according to tradition or what their doctors may routinely suggest.
This book supported choices that I was already pretty sure I'd like to consider for myself and GREATLY increased my confidence in the process of birth and the natural ability of a woman's body to give birth without many of the routine interventions given in obstetrics. I will definitely be buying this book and reading it again someday when I'm pregnant. It was exciting to learn so much about birth and mothering that I'd never known before. The personal stories shared throughout the book were some of my favorite parts. The book recounted in beautiful terms the special joys of birthing a baby, while at the same time revealing the effort and commitment needed for the job. This made me really look forward to becoming a parent, but also helped to keep any unwarranted baby fever under control. ;)
This book supported choices that I was already pretty sure I'd like to consider for myself and GREATLY increased my confidence in the process of birth and the natural ability of a woman's body to give birth without many of the routine interventions given in obstetrics. I will definitely be buying this book and reading it again someday when I'm pregnant. It was exciting to learn so much about birth and mothering that I'd never known before. The personal stories shared throughout the book were some of my favorite parts. The book recounted in beautiful terms the special joys of birthing a baby, while at the same time revealing the effort and commitment needed for the job. This made me really look forward to becoming a parent, but also helped to keep any unwarranted baby fever under control. ;)
September 16, 2010
I was not able to take a prenatal class due to time and financial constraints, so I've been borrowing books from the library to give me some idea of what labor and delivery will be like and how I should prepare. This book gave me a lot to think about, and now I have lots of questions to ask my OB. The authors definitely promote a drug-free, intervention-free, birth center/home birth, and if you know that's not for you, then this book won't help you much. I would like to take a natural approach to birth, but I also recognize that things can go wrong and would like to be in a hospital with a doctor. The most important message of the book is that women's bodies are designed to make and bear babies. Only in rare instances are interventions (C-section, episiotomy, induction, and even EFM) medically necessary, and that women should listen to their bodies, be informed, and be unafraid to make the decisions that will be best for them and their babies.
The information about what happens immediately after birth was excellent, and I will be asking my doctor about "kangaroo care", rooming in, and other bonding practices.
I was hoping for a little information on natural pain management (breathing techniques, etc.), but apparently the breathing exercises most people associate with Lamaze are no longer part of the curriculum.
The information about what happens immediately after birth was excellent, and I will be asking my doctor about "kangaroo care", rooming in, and other bonding practices.
I was hoping for a little information on natural pain management (breathing techniques, etc.), but apparently the breathing exercises most people associate with Lamaze are no longer part of the curriculum.
July 15, 2011
The author is a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator and doula, and this book is a Lamaze method childbirth guide. Caveat to the reader: the Lamaze method, this author, and this book all focus on natural childbirth free of the unnecessary medical interventions that have become routine in U.S. maternity care, so if you want to preschedule your induction and receive an epidural as soon as you're added to the hospital, this is not the book for you.
The Lamaze method is centered around six childbirth practices:
1) Allow labor to begin spontaneously
2) Move around and change positions during labor
3) Have continuous labor support
4) Avoid all unnecessary medical interventions
5) Give birth in an upright position, following the body's natural urge to push
6) Do not separate mother and child immediately after birth
The Official Lamaze Guide begins with an introductory chapter on having a safe healthy birth and then continues with chapters devoted to pregnancy, choosing a caregiver and birth location, preparing for labor and birth, birth, non-medical comfort options and techniques, birth plans, negotiating with caregivers to receive the best birth possible, newborns, and parenting a newborn.
It is full of good information and provides a standard natural childbirth guide.
The Lamaze method is centered around six childbirth practices:
1) Allow labor to begin spontaneously
2) Move around and change positions during labor
3) Have continuous labor support
4) Avoid all unnecessary medical interventions
5) Give birth in an upright position, following the body's natural urge to push
6) Do not separate mother and child immediately after birth
The Official Lamaze Guide begins with an introductory chapter on having a safe healthy birth and then continues with chapters devoted to pregnancy, choosing a caregiver and birth location, preparing for labor and birth, birth, non-medical comfort options and techniques, birth plans, negotiating with caregivers to receive the best birth possible, newborns, and parenting a newborn.
It is full of good information and provides a standard natural childbirth guide.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews