Author: Jennifer Block
Publisher/Price: Da Capo Press [$16]
Perfect For: Anyone and everyone that is having a baby, thinking about conceiving, or knows someone having a baby. For real.
If there is ever a time to finally take your head out of the sand, it's when those two pink lines say "pregnant." First time Mom or Mom to the fourth degree, you can never be too informed. And unfortunately there is a lot of information about modern day maternity care that will shock you. Not only is labor excruciating- the painful truth revealed in Jennifer Block's Pushed will have you begging for an epidural while you read the first page of the Introduction.
This is not a book to convince you to have a birth outside of the hospital. But it will arm you with the knowledge and ability to make your birthing experience- wherever it may take place- an event that is orchestrated by you and how you wish.
A woman's right to birth the way she wants is something often encouraged by care providers everywhere... before she goes into labor. It seems more often than not that once a Mother-to-be walks through those hospital doors ready to have that baby, the control has shifted, and the wishes and desires of the parents go out the window.
Of course this is not the case for everyone. I personally had quite pleasant hospital births overall with my first three children. But there were always certain things that we could not have our way. This greatly affected the decision to have our fourth child at home.
If you are planning a hospital birth, Pushed is an excellent resource to ready you with an understanding of just why they do the things they do to both Mom and baby. Be aware of your options before you are in a position to easily give in to the standard routine.
I admit that some parts read like a horror novel. You'll be squinting through hands over your eyes at parts. Some things you won't want to believe, but it is full of fact and truth. It's just a very difficult pill to swallow. But Mamas, if you want what is best for you and your baby before and after birth, this is medicine you must open up and take.
-Steph
