Resources for Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Parenting
Pregnancy Massage and Postpartum Massage– Laura Howells, CMT
Pre-Conception, Pregnancy, Postpartum Accupuncture – Maureen Raytis, L.Ac.
Prenatal Yoga – Esther Schmidt
Find a Midwife - Bay Area Homebirth Collective
Website explaining the benefits of Placenta Encapsulation
Local La Leche League Chapter – Meets 3rd Wednesday of each month from 11-3 at Birthways
Birthways1600 Shattuck, Suite 122
Natural Resources
Berkeley Parents Network
New Parents Group that I facilitate each Wednesday from 11-3 at Birthways – Free group open to all – pregnant and those with babies
Lending Library
all books are available for clients and friends to borrow
Pregnancy and Childbirth
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
A very comprehensive and informative book that includes excellent photos and week-by-week pregnancy information
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
A fabulous book by an amazing midwife which includes many contemporary birth stories as well as general information about birth in many settings (home, hospital, and birth centers).
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
A classic which includes many birth stories as well as information.
Birthing From Within by Pam England
Many exercises and stories about how to prepare yourself for childbirth.
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
Well researched (albeit somewhat biased) information about routine procedures. Offers up suggestions for what to question, and how.
Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth by the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective
Comprehensive and easy to ready overview
Pregnancy and Childbirth: The Complete Guide by Tracie Hotchner
An overview of childbearing
Conception, Pregnancy and Birth: The Childbirth Bible for today’s parents by Dr. Miriam Stoppard
A very informative (albeit quite medicalized) look at pregnancy and childbirth – does include discussion of rare, yet serious, complications.
It’s My Body, My Baby, My Birth – DVD by local midwife Maria Iorillo
An excellent film about natural childbirth in various settings
Psalm and Zoya: The Unassisted Homebirth of Our Twins – DVD
An inspiring video of a woman giving birth to twins at home without any help
Birth as an American Rite of Passage by Robbie Davis-Floyd
An anthropological view of the practices of birth in America
Birth in Four Cultures: A Crosscultural Investigation of Childbirth in Yucatan, Holland, Sweden, and the United States by Brigitte Jordan
An informative anthropological account of the similarities and differences in our birth practices
Birth Without Violence by Frederick Leboyer
A Classic by the inventor of the “Leboyer Bath”
Childbirth Without Fear: The Original Approach to Natural Childbirth by Grantly Dick-Read
Another classic that can provide an interesting historical perspective
Postpartum/Parenting
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche Leauge
I have both the 1963 and 1997 versions (1963 is fantastic for historical perspective!)
The First 12 Months of Life: Your Baby’s Growth Month by Month by Frank Caplan
What to Expect: The First Year by Arlene Eisenbert, Heidi Murkoff, and Sandee Hathaway
Beyond Jennifer and Jason: An Enlightened Guide to Naming Your Baby by Linda Rosenkrantz and Pamela Redmond Satran
The Name Book: Over 10,000 Names – Their Meanings, Origins, and Spiritual Significance by Dorothy Astoria
The Lesbian Parenting Book: A Guide to Creating Families and Raising Children by D. Merilee Clumis and G. Dorsey Green
Waiting in the Wings: Portrait of a Queer Motherhood by Cherrie Moraga
The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips, and Advice for Dads-to-Be by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash
Pregnancy Sucks For Men: What to Do When Your Mracle Makes You Both Miserable by Joanne and Jeff Kimes
A World of Babies: Imagined Childcare Guides for Seven Societies by Judy DeLoache and Alma Gottlieb
Although this book is fictional it is based on extensive research of the childcare practices in these societies and is very interesting
The Organic Baby Food Book by Ann Thompson
Women’s Wisdom/Empowerment
Women’s Sexual Passages: Finding Pleasure and Intimacy at Every Stage of Life by Elizabeth Davis
Includes an extensive section about sexuality in pregnancy and the postpartum period
The Circle of Life: 13 Archetypes for Every Woman by Elizabeth Davis
An accessible look at women’s lived experiences and spirituality throughout life
This Bridge Called my Back edited by Cherrie Moraga and Gloria Anzaldua
Writings by Radical Women of Color including many poems/stories on motherhood
Succulent Wild Woman: Dancing with your Wonder-Full Self! By SARK
Illustrated and humorous account of the wonderfulness of being a woman
Of Woman Born by Adrienne Rich
A feminist take on motherhood
Cunt: A Declaration of Independence by Inga Muscio
The Whole Woman by Germaine Greer
Natural Health
Our Bodies, Ourselves: A Book By and For Women by the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective
The classic 1976 version
A Woman’s Complete Guide to Natural Health by Lynne Paige Walker and Ellen Hodgson Brown
The Vegetarian Mother Baby Book by Rose Elliot
Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide by the physicians of the Burton Goldberg Group
A comprehensive book of different healing modalities including specific disorders and what treatments are available/helpful
Please call or e-mail me to borrow a resource
510-225-5752
julia@lunamadre.org