If you are pregnant, wanting to be pregnant or are just interested in pregnancy in general there are three books that I will share with you that have inspired me. They helped me as I prepared to become pregnant as well as to allow me to help clients go through their own pregnancies during that time. I am happy to share with people these important books for they have helped me prepare to get pregnant as well as when I was pregnant.
The first book opened up the door to the world of pregnancy for me: “The natural pregnancy book: herbs, nutrition and other holistic choices,” by Jill Aviva Romm. The book explains what herbs are important to use during pregnancy. There are many herbal recipes that are easy to make. I often used one particular recipe called the Nourishment Tea during my menstrual period. Jill Aviva Romm has this to say about it: This is my favorite beverage in pregnancy. It is a nutrient supplement (iron, calcium, and many vitamins and trace minerals), and is an overall partus preparatory or birth preparation brew. The dried herbs can be mixed in a large batch to have on hand. The tea is delicious both hot and cold, and it can be enjoyed by your whole family. You can vary the quantities of the ingredients, or add and omit herbs from time to time. It is safe to drink this brew through out pregnancy and during labor. It is beneficial for the postpartum as well, as it helps with milk production.
Nourishment Tea
2 parts red raspberry leaf
2 parts nettle
1 parts oatstraw
½ part alfalfa
½ part rose hips
¼ part red clover
¼ part spearmint leaf
Mix all of the dried herbs together and store in an airtight container away from heat and light. To prepare your infusion, place a heaping ¼ cup of the mixture in a quart-sized jar. Add boiling water to fill the jar, cover, and let steep for a minimum of 30 mins, a maximum of 2 hours. Strain, sweeten, and drink ¼ cups daily.
Many of the recipes can be used not just when you are pregnant. Not only does the book have herbal information but there is a lot of information on what occurs when one has a miscarriage and how to heal your body during that time.
The second book shared other women’s experiences of giving birth so that we may be able to understand how each birth is unique and amazing in their own way. The book focuses on the positive experiences women can have during childbirth. The book is called, “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth”, by Ina May Gaskin. The first half of the book has women’s own words of what they remember of their births. The second half of the book is a midwife’s guide to what occurs in a woman’s body when it does get pregnant. The second half also helps you prepare yourself for either having a home birth or hospital birth. The book also explains what each drug does that is offered to you during the labour.
The third book inspired me to be creative and paint my way through the preparation period: “Birthing from Within: An extra-ordinary guide to childbirth preparation”, by Pam England, Rob Horowitz. The book has many different creative exercises to help you let go of what you think the birthing should be like and allow it to be it’s own way. The book is supportive through sharing woman’s experiences; one in particular section discusses c-sections. Pam England changes the wording to be cesarean-birth and not cesarean-section. When a woman tells people she has had a cesarean-section people often say, “Oh, you had a c-section, well wasn’t there anything you could have done?” This book helps women understand that they do not have to be pulled down by other people’s negative views on c-sections but to change the thought pattern via changing the name of it. The book also talks about how birthing is not just called labour for nothing; it takes work to release the baby from the body. Ultimately this book helps us understand that each birthing experience is going to be how it is. We can plan as much as we want but in the end we have to allow whatever to happen.
I hope you find support from these books as I have done as well.