Book suggestions?

[Ashley129]

Hi! I am brand new to this thread so I apologize if this is a silly question.
I am just starting my journey to becoming a doula. I plan to attend a 4 day training at the Seattle school of Midwifery at the end of the year and then get my certification through DONA. In the mean time I would like to do as much studying as possible. What books would be the best to start with?
I am just beginning to learn about the amazing world of doula's and I know I have a long way to go. I learned alot through my pregnancy and was lucky enough to experience a beautiful home birth. I know this was due to the amazing support that I recieved. I hope to be able to offer that same kind of support to many mother's in the future.

[Kacy]

Congratulations on starting your journey! No question is silly... but not asking when you need help is!

Sometimes it's helpful to check out the required reading lists of various doula organizations, like DONA or CAPPA. They usually have a lot of books listed. To get started with, you may want to check out...

- The Doula Book by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus
- The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
- The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
- The Labor Progress Handbook by Penny Simkin and Ruth S. Ancheta
- Pushed by Jennifer Block (more about birth 'politics' than doula work)

That's just off the top of my head. There are lots of fabulous books out there for aspiring doulas. There may be some older threads on this topic if you'd like to do a search. The 'Search' button can be found in the pink menu at the top of the page, between 'New Posts' and 'Quick Links'.

[Ashley129]

Thank you Kacy!
I will most likely not start my cert. process until the end of this year or early next year. If I read some of the required books before that will I need to read them again once I am actively pursuing my cert.?

[Kacy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashley129 Thank you Kacy! I will most likely not start my cert. process until the end of this year or early next year. If I read some of the required books before that will I need to read them again once I am actively pursuing my cert.?

You might have to check with the organization, but I wouldn't see why you would HAVE to. I would probably recommend it, though, just as a refresher.

[MothertheMother]

I can't speak for DONA but with CAPPA there was nothing about when you should read the books. If you read them a few years ago it would make sense to read again but I can't see a reason to re-read within a year or so. Plus the fact that quite a few of the books will end up being reference books of a sort. You will find yourself thumbing back through them looking for various bits of information. So, my advice, get some of those little flags and mark the really intresting stuff! Well except the the Labor Progress Handbook because you'd have flags all over the place!

I absolutely second Kacy's suggested reading list. I think I'd save the Labor Progress Handbook for later only because it can be a complicated read at times. You'll want to have a really good grasp on terminology etc to get the most out of it.


Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Birthing From Within
*both of these are full of great information for a new doula

Immaculate Deception II
Rediscovering Birth
*both of these are very inspiring/informative reads if you are looking for something more about history of birth and how/why we are where we are in our society when it comes to birth. (though Pushed that was mentioned by Kacy is also FANTASTIC)

[bluemish]

congrats ashley on your journey in to motherhood and the doula world. I came to my journey to becoming a doula the same way you did. i just started my training with CBI and i will be attending a 6day workshop in oregon through Big Belly Services in Seattle. i've heard nothing but good things about seattle midwifery. I live in seattle if you every need help with anything just give me a holler!

[bluemish]

i forgot to list some books that i really thought were helpful.
birthing from within-pam england&rob horowitz
spiritual midwifery-ina may gaskin
birth partner-penny simkin
these are just a few.....

[Ashley129]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluemish congrats ashley on your journey in to motherhood and the doula world. I came to my journey to becoming a doula the same way you did. i just started my training with CBI and i will be attending a 6day workshop in oregon through Big Belly Services in Seattle. i've heard nothing but good things about seattle midwifery. I live in seattle if you every need help with anything just give me a holler!

Thank you Michele! You can ignore my post to you in my intro. thread. I was asking about Seattle School of Midwifery, but you have answered that here!
I am a pagan mommy as well!
I am very excited to have found this forum!

[Ashley129]

Thank you for the great suggestions!
I read alot of Ina May when I was pregnant. I found it very inspiring!

[apikailaa]

One of the BEST books EVER is Born In The USA by Marsden Wagner.
My personal favorite birth book (that I never have at home because a client ALWAYS has it!) is The Thinking Woman's Guide To A Better Birth by Henci Goer.
Also a fave of mine is Birthing From Within by Pam England!

[emmabella]

Quote:

Originally Posted by apikailaa One of the BEST books EVER is Born In The USA by Marsden Wagner.

YEP!! Start with this book!!!!

[DoulaMorgan]

Giving Birth by Catherine Taylor is a great, quick read.

If you want a fun, birthy book that is more novel-esque, go for Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent.

[EdenRiley]

Right now I am finishing up Special Women: the role of the professional labor assistant by Paulin Perez. It's been helpful to me by showing a lot of the realities of working as a doula, including working with hospital staff. My only critique of the book is that it's self published, so there are an awful lot of typos and oddly aligned pages. If you get past that, it's a very helpful little book! I know it's on a few organizatrions' certification lists as well.

[DoulaMegz]

Birth by Tina Cassidy, I'm reading it now, haven't passed judgement, but it's interesting.