The Positive Birth Book: A New Approach to Pregnancy, Birth and the Early Weeks

Product Information

The overuse of the term "goddess" which I find to be kitchy and irritating. If one woman had used the term to describe how she felt in birth, fine, OK. But the book was peppered with trite use of the word.

Our hypnobirthing classes are designed to be a fully comprehensive antenatal course, so there is no need for you to attend any others unless you wish to. We run both in person courses in various locations across the UK and online Zoom courses which you can attend from the comfort of your own home. I think the book would have benefited from a section on improving on one's previous birth experiences. Yes, the idea of PTSD and healing from traumatic birth was covered, but more as an "if this happens to you, you will be prepared" sort of way. An explicit reference to this sort of birth baggage and further resources for healing for someone who has already had this sort of birth before being exposed to the idea of birth positivity and The Positive Birth Movement would have been, in my opinion, incredibly helpful and appropriate here. Just so happened that I had to be induced as well because my baby decided it was to comfy inside me and wouldn't come out. To Milli Hill this is the worst thing that could ever happen. Oh no! Intervention! I should have waited and let baby come on its own! (Even though my baby was 9lbs when born, I don't even want to think about the possible weight if I'd have waited!) There are so many reasons for being induced when your overdue but Milli Hill says it's best to let nature takes it course. We started off on the wrong food when Ms Hill said that she would rather take castor oil than be induced. Uhm, no! Castor oil is dangerous and you're writing a book giving out advice to confused, vulnerable women! The Positive Birth Book is a must-read for every mum-to-be. By showing that birth can be an amazing, empowering and life-enhancing experience, Milli Hill is giving birth to a whole new way to think about bringing life into the world.”There were several mentions of BMI and use of the terms "overweight" and "obese" which have been deemed inappropriate and not useful as scientific indicators, and though these terms and numbers still impact obstetric care, unfortunately, their usage and mention without disclaimers is problematic for those who have not yet been sufficiently exposed to the latest science on the topic. This book is really reassuring and has given me a lot of confidence and reduced fears going into birth. The message that women are made to do this and that you have choices available to you for whatever makes you most comfortable is something we need to talk about more. We have really turned child birth into something to be feared which is not always true and is definitely not helpful.

In case anyone is uncertain about what you’re “allowed” to do when giving birth, Hill spells it out: stop asking for permission, recognize that your experience matters–quite a bit–and demand respect. Researchers, activists, and journalists have been raising alarms about inappropriate and even abusive maternity treatment for decades, yet it persists. Hill joins the chorus with a loud call to action for feminists: this is your issue, too.” As far as this sort of book goes, I think this was an EXCELLENT intro to birthing. I can't think of a better starting point for expectant mothers, at least not one that already exists, and there is very little I have to add to this one. Hypnobirthing is an evidence-based approach to birth that seeks to empower women and birthing people with knowledge, practical tools and support, enabling them to have a positive birth experience, however they choose to bring their baby into the world. As a journalist since 2013 she has written for many publications including the Telegraph, Mail, Guardian, Independent, ipaper and Mother&Baby, and has appeared on BBC Radio 2, BBC 5 Live, talkradio, LBC and many leading podcasts. She is a member of the advisory group for Sex Matters and lives in Somerset with her partner and three children.I found that for a book that was supposed to be positive about all types of birth it was very negative about the kind I am likely to have. Essential information about your pelvic floor, core and postnatal incontinence by Nikki Bergen, creator of the Belle Method, and Luce Brett, author of PMSL Separating the fact from the fiction, Milli Hill answers everything you need to know – from menstrual cups and period pants, to cramps and hormones. She’ll explain how incredible your body is, what is actually going on each month and why. Finally, we can put to bed the old saying that, ‘as long as mother and baby are healthy that is all that matters’. Having a positive birth experience can be even more healthy, not just for the physical well being of mom and newborn, but for their state of mind. This book shows how birth can be transformative. Don’t give birth without it!”

see the following links for more info (although there is plenty more and this is just the tip of the iceberg) The ones I didn’t give are for 1) the author is extremely bias towards natural unmediated home birth, which is for sure not for everyone! For instance, I will be Relaxed to have a hospital birth and I will be extremely stressed if I had to give birth at home! And it is the case for all other birth options. So it is not one size fits all. A brilliant riposte to all the ways women are encouraged to approach childbirth with fear and deference, Hill’s book leaves the reader not just well-informed, but with a renewed sense of pride in the power of the female body”With guidance on choosing period products, charting your cycles and preparing a first period kit, alongside profiles of ‘cycle superstars’ such as Amika George who are working to end period poverty, this book is the complete guide to getting your period. A rallying cry for women everywhere…everyone should read this book and look at childbirth through a feminist lens.” There is more information available on giving birth and raising children than ever before. With each new scientific advance or fad, more questions arise: Fertility issues? Screening tests? Antenatal classes, hypnobirthing or yoga? Home, hospital or birth centre? Breast or bottle, or both? Attachment parenting or parent-led routine? Co-sleeping or their own room? Spoon-feeding or baby-led weaning? To vaccinate, or not? Researching any or all of these topics can be time-consuming and frustrating, as good information and support sits alongside that provided by ‘experts’ or those with vested interests keen to prey on our anxieties and relieve us of our cash. Contradictory articles in the press, one-sided, heavily edited TV shows and social media commentary muddy the waters even further. A phenomenal book for everyone who wants or needs to know about periods (which is pretty much all of us!). Bravo Milli”

Includes a brand new chapter: What Women Want. What Women Need. What Women Are. Praise for Give Birth Like a Feminist A great read: honest, lively, fresh and helpful. This book puts women in the driving seat which is key to positive change.” For a writer who declares: “no woman should be judged for her choices”, there was a lot of unnecessary judgment in this book. Also, I found it laughable that the chapter on “A Positive Hospital Birth” was essentially a long paragraph on why you *shouldn’t* give birth at a hospital unless under extreme circumstances, and then a halfhearted second paragraph basically saying “but if you have to, just try to make it feel like a home birth if you can.” The section on caesarean was very negative and assumed that you would feel like a failure. The only reason anyone feels like a failure after having a caesarean is because of attitudes like this book. Lots of people choose to have an elective caesarean. The Positive Birth Book has empowered hundreds of thousands of women worldwide to make informed, positive choices about their births.I finished this book in 3 days and it definitely gets the thumbs up from me. It’s like you’re learning but you don’t feel like you’re learning”. I hated this book before I gave my birth, and I hate it even more after. I apologise if this turns into more of a rant that a review.