The Principles and Practice of Natural Childbirth
Grantly Dick-Read
Foreword: Michel Odent
2004 (reprinted 2005) | paperback | illustrated | 352 pages | 198x129mm
childbirth & pregnancy
ISBN: 978-0-9530964-6-6
List prices: £8.99 – US$19.95
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A timely reissue of Grantly Dick-Read's classic book about natural childbirth, which has been out of print for many years. This Pinter & Martin edition is true to the fourth, and last, edition Dick-Read completed in June 1959, the month of his death.
In an age where birth has often been overtaken by obstetrics, Dr Dick-Read's philosophy is still as fresh and relevant as it was when he originally wrote this book. He unpicks every possible root cause of western woman's fear and anxiety in pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding and does so with overwhelming heart and empathy. Essential reading for all parents-to-be, childbirth educators, midwives and obstetricians!
Grantly Dick-Read dedicated his life to promoting natural childbirth. His writings inspired advocators of natural childbirth such as Janet Balaskas, Ina May Gaskin, Yehudi Gordon, Michel Odent and Sheila Kitzinger, and seem even more relevant today than when they were first published. more
Michel Odent is best known as the obstetrician who introduced the concepts of birthing pools and home-like birthing rooms. He has published 11 books in 21 languages and recently written a trilogy of books, The Scientification of Love, The Farmer and the Obstetrician and The Caesarean. (more info on Michel Odent is here).
'Reading Childbirth without Fear at age 16 provided me with the basis of knowledge of childbirth that I used as a first-time mother and still use as a midwife of more than 35 years. A brilliant, courageous classic that is still relevant today.' INA MAY GASKIN - author of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
'The most influential birthing book of the last 100 years.' FIT PREGNANCY
'Childbirth Without Fear is the book that began the childbirth revolution. Dr. Grantly Dick-Read's insights about women, their bodies and birth began the transformation of pregnancy and birth. Though we are still at the beginning of this long battle, the reprint of Dick-Read's masterpiece will help. We who are called to this beautiful birthwork, serving motherbaby in their miraculous life event, will want to add this timeless book to our libraries.'
JAN TRITTON - Midwifery Today
'So great was my fear of childbirth that as a young girl I decided I would never have children. All that changed when at the age of 18 my husband-to-be presented me with a copy of Childbirth without Fear . I remember so clearly turning the pages and feeling my fear suddenly subside. In its place were feelings of desire - desire to be a mother. For the first time in my life, I wanted a child. Two years later, I experienced the ecstacy of birth and my life was forever changed. I will always be grateful to Grantly Dick-Read for opening my eyes to the truth about birth.'
LAURA SHANLEY - author Unassisted Childbirth
'Dr Grantly Dick-Read has always been an inspiration to me. His humanity, love and above all faith in women and their innate mothering skills is truly remarkable. In an age where birth has often been overtaken by obstetrics Dr Dick-Read’s philosophy is still as fresh as it was when he originally wrote this book. I highly recommend it.' YEHUDI GORDON - obstetrician and author
'A fascinating insight into normal birth at a time when endorphins were not known, modern midwifery did not exist and women had already learned to fear labour. Dick-Read, possibly the world’s first childbirth activist, celebrates women’s innate capacity for safe and easy birth in a challenging book that will excite, amaze, infuriate and uplift its readers.' ANDREA ROBERTSON, independent childbirth educator & author
'A 21st century edition of this historic - even legendary - book must be warmly welcomed.' MICHEL ODENT - obstetrician and author
'When I was heavily pregnant with my first child 25 years ago this book fell into my hands. That was the start of my belief in natural childbirth which eventually led to four great births of my own and the founding of my life's work in the Active Birth Movement. Grantly Dick-Read's message is inspirational and even more relevant today than when this book was first published. Every pregnant mother should read it.' JANET BALASKAS - author of New Active Birth
'Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand how birth education started as well as the vision that stimulated the birth movement. Dick-Read remains an inspiration for the humanisation of childbirth.' SHEILA KITZINGER - author
To read an extract from Michel Odent's new introduction click here
To read an in-depth review of Childbirth without Fear by Andrea Robertson click here
To read a speech given by Prunella Briance, founder of the NCT (National Childbirth Trust), click here
