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Ever since eve: Personal reflections on childbirth
Each edition of Contraceptive Techcontains a separate special section on a topic of interest to practitioners. Population and Family Planning is the special topic addressed in this issue; it is addressed in a broad, public health oriented discussion. The 1986 to 1987 edition promises an in-depth study of sexually transmitted diseases and their treatment. CNMs not already familiar with this excellent handbook are encouraged to become so. Those CNMs actively providing family planning services should find it easy to keep current by reviewing each new issue of the book. It is priced reasonably enough so that individuals and groups can easily afford to purchase new editions as they become available. Appendixes are included with ordering information for a variety of family planning posters and materials, other pertinent publications, and quantity orders at a discount. Contraceptive Technology is also available in Spanish. nology
Active
Birth. By Janet and Arthur Ba-
laskas. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1983. 192 pages. $6.95, softcover. Reviewed
by: Elaine K. Diegman, CNM, Director, Nurse-Midwifery Services and Clinical Assistant Professor, Nurse-Midwifery Educational Program, UMDNJ, Newark, NJ.
Active participation in and control of the birth environment are very important in maintaining the naturalness of birth today. With the age of technology in obstetrics approaching its peak, the control of the birth process is being usurped from the woman and her family. Cognizant of the parameters of safety, the clinician must allow the woman to control “her” birth experience. Education and preparation for birth are essential for any woman who is seeking her rightful place in this natural process. An educated mother is the best deterrent to the unnecessary use of technology and premature intervention. Although the authors of Actiue Birth are British, their approach to birth is universal. The book presents a change of pace from the high technology philosophy of many current publications about labor and delivery. It is a book that explains and discusses the natural way to give birth. It contains accurate information that will increase the knowledge base 184
of the pregnant woman regarding her reproductive system, the physiology of pregnancy, and the mechanisms of labor. In addition, the book includes a comprehensive guide to prenatal and postnatal stretching exercises to prepare the woman physically for birth and afterward. Simple clear illustrations accompany the text. This book stresses active participation and effective positioning for labor and birth. Workable positions that enhance the mother’s comfort, use the forces of labor, increase pelvic diameters, and remove unnecessary stress from the perineal muscles are discussed and illustrated. These positions can be adapted to any environment, I would recommend this book to both health care practitioners and consumers who are interested in an aware, active, and safe birth. Ever Since Eve: Personal Reflections on Childbirth. By Nancy Caldwell Sore].
New York: Oxford University Press, 1984. 388 pages. $14.95, hardcover. Reviewed
by: Kathyn McElroy-Swingle, Assistant Clinical Professor, Nurse-Midwifery Educational Program, UMDNJ School of Health-Related Professions, Newark, NJ. CNM, MS,
Since Eve: Personal Reflections on is a light and vastly entertaining book. It is the perfect reading material for a nurse-midwife’s office waiting room or for a pregnant woman’s nights of insomnia in the third trimester. The book is fascinating, yet calming because of the common theme of the wonder and beauty of birth. Divided into the various categories concerning childbirth, the chapters are titled “Considering,” “Conceiving,” “Expecting, ” “Laboring/Delivering,” “Nurturing, ” “Resisting, ” “Twinning,” etc. Vignettes, usually no longer than three pages, are recounted. In “Laboring/Delivering” the subtitles include “Birth Among the Eskimos,” “Childbearing on the Mayflower, ” “Ingrid Bergman in Advanced Labor Writes to Her Daughter, Pia, ” “What to do with the Umbilical Cord,” and so on. There is, then, quite a broad range of topics, a little bit for eve yone’s tastes and interests. This is a fun book with no serious intent. Those of us with a healthy respect for the normal progression of pregnancy Ever
Childbirth
and labor may find some stones a little disturbing. For example, there is a yarn by a surgical technician who transported a woman in labor to the hospital holding her legs together as long as possible. I found myself wishing for a footnote stating this was not accepted obstetric protocol. Education, however, is not the author’s intent; entertainment is, and that purpose is quite readily achieved. My favorite story was about the Dionne quintuplets. What was most haunting about their birth was the shame that their parents experienced. This was before the widespread use of Clomid, when the statistical probability of quintuplets was 54 million to one. The Dionnes were farmers in the backwoods of Ontario who believed that birthing five babies was akin “to an animal producing a litter.” Equally fascinating was the fact that, after their birth, the tiny infants were patted with warm oil, wrapped in blankets, and all five were packed into a basket that sat in front of a warm stove. If they developed any circumoral cyanosis, they were given a dropper of a solution of rum and warm water. I especially recommend this book as a sedative after a grueling day or night on call, to help one to unwind. Euer Since Eve: Personal
Reflections
on Childbirth
always holds one’s attention. Pregnancy and Life Style Habits. By Peter A. Fried, PhD. New York: Beaufort Books, 1983. 198 pages. $9.95, softcover. Reviewed
by: Patricia Aikins Murphy, Instructor, Nurse-Midwifery Major, Columbia University, New York, NY. CNM,
MS,
This is an excellent handbook on the adverse effects of certain social habits on the developing fetus, written by a respected researcher in the field of drug use and pregnancy. There is a brief but excellent discussion of fetal and newborn physiology, followed by a review of the effects of alcohol (both social drinking and alcoholism), caffeine, cigarettes, marijuana, and certain prescription and nonprescription drugs. As Fried states in his introduction, his purpose is to “give facts, not scare messages or extreme statements based on speculation.” He makes no attempt to judge, but rather presents and assesses the available information in a clear and concise manner. He adds commentary
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
?? Vol.
30, No. 3, May/June
1985
Active
Birth. By Janet and Arthur Ba-
laskas. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1983. 192 pages. $6.95, softcover. Reviewed
by: Elaine K. Diegman, CNM, Director, Nurse-Midwifery Services and Clinical Assistant Professor, Nurse-Midwifery Educational Program, UMDNJ, Newark, NJ.
Active participation in and control of the birth environment are very important in maintaining the naturalness of birth today. With the age of technology in obstetrics approaching its peak, the control of the birth process is being usurped from the woman and her family. Cognizant of the parameters of safety, the clinician must allow the woman to control “her” birth experience. Education and preparation for birth are essential for any woman who is seeking her rightful place in this natural process. An educated mother is the best deterrent to the unnecessary use of technology and premature intervention. Although the authors of Actiue Birth are British, their approach to birth is universal. The book presents a change of pace from the high technology philosophy of many current publications about labor and delivery. It is a book that explains and discusses the natural way to give birth. It contains accurate information that will increase the knowledge base 184
of the pregnant woman regarding her reproductive system, the physiology of pregnancy, and the mechanisms of labor. In addition, the book includes a comprehensive guide to prenatal and postnatal stretching exercises to prepare the woman physically for birth and afterward. Simple clear illustrations accompany the text. This book stresses active participation and effective positioning for labor and birth. Workable positions that enhance the mother’s comfort, use the forces of labor, increase pelvic diameters, and remove unnecessary stress from the perineal muscles are discussed and illustrated. These positions can be adapted to any environment, I would recommend this book to both health care practitioners and consumers who are interested in an aware, active, and safe birth. Ever Since Eve: Personal Reflections on Childbirth. By Nancy Caldwell Sore].
New York: Oxford University Press, 1984. 388 pages. $14.95, hardcover. Reviewed
by: Kathyn McElroy-Swingle, Assistant Clinical Professor, Nurse-Midwifery Educational Program, UMDNJ School of Health-Related Professions, Newark, NJ. CNM, MS,
Since Eve: Personal Reflections on is a light and vastly entertaining book. It is the perfect reading material for a nurse-midwife’s office waiting room or for a pregnant woman’s nights of insomnia in the third trimester. The book is fascinating, yet calming because of the common theme of the wonder and beauty of birth. Divided into the various categories concerning childbirth, the chapters are titled “Considering,” “Conceiving,” “Expecting, ” “Laboring/Delivering,” “Nurturing, ” “Resisting, ” “Twinning,” etc. Vignettes, usually no longer than three pages, are recounted. In “Laboring/Delivering” the subtitles include “Birth Among the Eskimos,” “Childbearing on the Mayflower, ” “Ingrid Bergman in Advanced Labor Writes to Her Daughter, Pia, ” “What to do with the Umbilical Cord,” and so on. There is, then, quite a broad range of topics, a little bit for eve yone’s tastes and interests. This is a fun book with no serious intent. Those of us with a healthy respect for the normal progression of pregnancy Ever
Childbirth
and labor may find some stones a little disturbing. For example, there is a yarn by a surgical technician who transported a woman in labor to the hospital holding her legs together as long as possible. I found myself wishing for a footnote stating this was not accepted obstetric protocol. Education, however, is not the author’s intent; entertainment is, and that purpose is quite readily achieved. My favorite story was about the Dionne quintuplets. What was most haunting about their birth was the shame that their parents experienced. This was before the widespread use of Clomid, when the statistical probability of quintuplets was 54 million to one. The Dionnes were farmers in the backwoods of Ontario who believed that birthing five babies was akin “to an animal producing a litter.” Equally fascinating was the fact that, after their birth, the tiny infants were patted with warm oil, wrapped in blankets, and all five were packed into a basket that sat in front of a warm stove. If they developed any circumoral cyanosis, they were given a dropper of a solution of rum and warm water. I especially recommend this book as a sedative after a grueling day or night on call, to help one to unwind. Euer Since Eve: Personal
Reflections
on Childbirth
always holds one’s attention. Pregnancy and Life Style Habits. By Peter A. Fried, PhD. New York: Beaufort Books, 1983. 198 pages. $9.95, softcover. Reviewed
by: Patricia Aikins Murphy, Instructor, Nurse-Midwifery Major, Columbia University, New York, NY. CNM,
MS,
This is an excellent handbook on the adverse effects of certain social habits on the developing fetus, written by a respected researcher in the field of drug use and pregnancy. There is a brief but excellent discussion of fetal and newborn physiology, followed by a review of the effects of alcohol (both social drinking and alcoholism), caffeine, cigarettes, marijuana, and certain prescription and nonprescription drugs. As Fried states in his introduction, his purpose is to “give facts, not scare messages or extreme statements based on speculation.” He makes no attempt to judge, but rather presents and assesses the available information in a clear and concise manner. He adds commentary
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
?? Vol.
30, No. 3, May/June
1985