Recommended Reading

Matrescence · 08-17-2005, 02:26 PM

We all had required reading lists to go through for certification but which of those books or other books would you recommend reading and possibly purchasing for a newer doula?

raspberrymoondoula · 08-17-2005, 02:34 PM

I love the book Heart and Hands, its more of a midwifery guide but i think it gives a really good overview of birth. also thinking womans guide ot a better birth, hands down every woman should read it.

Tiffany · 08-17-2005, 03:24 PM

I find the internet to be a good source for now. Has anyone come out with a really modern and up to date doula book yet?

08-17-2005, 10:03 PM

I was just talking to Leanne about this! I'm getting ready to get my books for my certification. I've ordered 4 from amazon.com (really cheap!

). The ones I have gotten are:

Gentle Birth Choices : A Guide to Making Informed Decisions about Birthing Centers, Birth Attendants, Water Birth, Home Birth, and Hospital Birth by Barbara Harper

The Mother of All Pregnancy Books: The Ultimate Guide to Conception, Birth, and Everything In Between by Ann Douglas

The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth by Marshall H., M.D. Klaus

The Birth Partner: Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman Through Childbirth by Penny Simkin

All of these are on the DONA certification required reading list. They should be here next week!! Any other book reccomendations would be GREATLY appreciated!

raspberrymoondoula · 08-17-2005, 11:26 PM

oh www.birthlove.com EXCELLENT resource, paysite but worth it.

08-23-2005, 05:25 PM

I am currently certifiying through Childbirth International and have found one of our required readings to be most helpful. "Mother's Intention" by Kim Wildner. It is out of print, you have to get it on the internet at Amazon.com for not very expensive. It reminds us we get the birth experiences we work for, and that as doulas we shouldn't take on more responsibilty for the choices a client makes. All we can do as soulas is provide the client with information it is up to them to use it and if they aren't willing or able to do that we have not failed because they didn't get the results they said they sought when they hired us.

Matrescence · 08-23-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raspberrymoondoula

oh www.birthlove.com EXCELLENT resource, paysite but worth it.

Big Ditto to that

A while back they had a doula course (it was a 12 month self study course) on there that was extremely helpful to further your knowledge. Not sure whether it can be counted toward CEU's or not but it's really worth it and comes with subscription tot he site. The articles and stories are amazing too.

raspberrymoondoula · 08-23-2005, 06:04 PM

yup gloria lemay offered it (from prison temporarily i think lol ) i took it way back when i was preparing for my UC

Matrescence · 08-23-2005, 10:36 PM

Oh gosh I remember that, she did write it. I need to go back and re-do a few months I missed when we had Aaron.

AmberTerhune · 08-26-2005, 02:21 PM

I reccomend reading the book Baby Catcher, By Peggy Vincent. It's not a doula book, or even an educational book, but it's a wonderful book about births, and the life of a home midwife. Peggy is a friend of mine, and opened the first birthing center in the Bay Area, at Alta Bates, and was also the first midwife to get hospital privs. Its one of those books where one chapter your laughing hystericaly, and the next chapter your crying your eyes out!!! She has some amazing stories!!!!!!

Matrescence · 08-26-2005, 05:24 PM

I loved that one too, I wish there were more like it...

I'm just now getting around to reading the red tent... tried to read it some at this last birth but didn't get a chance

~Tranquility~Doula · 08-29-2005, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffany

I find the internet to be a good source for now. Has anyone come out with a really modern and up to date doula book yet?

The Doula Advantage by Rachel Gurevich was published in 2003. It's definitely a good book for expecting parents to read if they are interested in having a doula.

I LOVE Baby Catcher. It's one of those books you can read over and over again.
I can also read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery a million times and never get sick of them.

Babies_Bellies_Boobies · 09-03-2005, 07:43 PM

<----- soaking it in like a sponge

tlcdoula · 09-04-2005, 12:58 PM

A book I am reading right now that I just love is "When Survivors Give Birth." This book is so informative, and I recommend it to everyone.

I also just got the new version of Gentle Birth choices - I bought it at the CAPPA conference at a pre-release price and it came with a dvd and that one is great too.

Matrescence · 09-06-2005, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

A book I am reading right now that I just love is "When Survivors Give Birth." This book is so informative, and I recommend it to everyone.

I've been meaning to ask about that one, Penny was here last year, we got to hear her talk on the book... my mind had a hard time soaking it all in though. Thanks for the recommendation