I wish I had read Katrina Zaslavsky’s book, A Modern Woman’s Guide to a Natural Empowering Birth during my pregnancy years.
Her table of contents refers to the chapters as “Insights”, which I find highly appropriate as this is a book full of insightful information that isn’t always available to new young moms to be, but now here’s a book full of wisdom from real women and experts who’ve been through it and know first hand what they’re talking about. Having been pregnant four times myself, I know that I couldn’t get enough insight from as many women as possible. It became an addiction and I needed more.
The 3rd insight, “Knowledge is Birth Power” is one that I personally feel is really important and echo through out my own life; if you don’t know your options, you don’t have any. This chapter explains why it’s so important for you to be your own advocate and what it means to take charge of your birth experience. We have choices and we need to know that but we also need to know what they are. We also need to know when we’re being mistreated and what our rights are in those situations because birth trauma is a very real thing that can be avoided.
In the 8th insight, “Words Have Power”, we are reminded of something that it is important to remember every day and not just when we’re creating a new life. This is a powerful chapter with great tips and techniques to practice for a more positive outlook and state of mind, which is the ideal state of mind for a peaceful, positive and beautiful birth experience.
“Birth is Beautiful”, the 17th insight opens with a quote from Pamela Nadav that speaks of the special sweetness in being able to take part in creation. I love giving birth, naturally. When I tell this to people, they look at me like I have three heads. From now on I will just refer them to this chapter, which beautifully sums it up.
This book is encouraging, informative and an easy, enjoyable read. It is full of empowering insight, mother’s wisdom and personal birth stories from real women. I recommend this book for any woman who is pregnant or planning to be in the near future and who wants to be the one making her own decisions instead of being told what to do.
Cheers!
Jacqui Blue
Internationally acclaimed Filmmaker of Beautiful Births Documentary
