Product Description

The classic guide to gentle birth that revolutionized the way we welcome our children into the world. The first book to express what mothers have always known: babies are born complete human beings with the ability to experience a full range of emotions. Shows how gentle lighting, a quiet atmosphere, and a warm bath allow a newborn to ease the transition from womb to world without trauma or fear. New translation overseen by the author himself; also includes a new author preface. Birth without Violence revolutionized the way we perceive the process of birth, urging us to consider birth from the infant's point of view. Why must a child emerge from the quiet darkness of the womb into a blaze of blinding light and loud voices? Why must an infant take its first breath in terror, hanging upside down as its vulnerable spine is jerked straight? Why must the infant be separated from its mother after spending nine months inside her nourishing body? Examining alternatives to technocentric approaches to childbirth, this classic text shows us how we can create an environment of tranquillity in which to welcome our children: a relaxed mother, gentle lighting, soothing atmosphere, and a warm bath that mirrors the child's prenatal surroundings. Dr. Leboyer's simple techniques show us how a birth without violence has far-reaching implications for improving the quality of human life physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #130590 in Books
• Published on: 2002-05-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Customer Reviews

"Imperative to your baby's first breath "
This book will open your eyes and your heart. I have been recommending this book and lending my copy out to every expecting mother that I come across! It is in poem form -( don't let that put you off)- The explanations and actions that it gives you,( or more the choices for you to act upon)- are the most true to one's soul. As a woman, as a mother to be,as a powerful nurturing spirit- you have such a part to play and this book brings about confidence in doing so, with many finely tuned powerful "causes" in birth and the "effects" are more rewarding once you have read it and understood.
I wondered why instantly "what on earth people were thinking of in hospitals in this sterile world we live in !" Yes,it isn't always possible with a first birth to do everything this book suggests- but you can be as close to it as possible- it's the knowledge of it's effects that is important- The pictures of how babies look after being brought into the world through the intentions explained in the book, are phenomenal and make you want to be part of it instantly.
It's Powerful from beginning to end- your heart will explode. You can bring a baby into the world knowing he or she will gain so very much more trust and peace - it is afterall it's first exprience of our world- and how it feels in birth will have such a large imprint on it's conciousness - so you have a great chance to make sure this is as positive as possible. Which is such a vital part to play as a parent. You will be contributing to making sure this happens, without a doubt and that is why it is so very special. Enjoy.

I highly recommend this book to all expectant parents!
Even though I went through a "normal" delivery, my husband and I utilized several of the principles that Dr. LeBoyer recommends in this book. The quietness and the bath automatically soothed our baby boy. The nurses were amazed at the calmness that enveloped our son as soon as he was placed into the bath. Please read this book and adapt its principles to your delivery.

Love your baby - and weep
Get this book, even if you're going for "normal" hospital birth anyway. Reading it and posting copies of some pictures and "poems" in my baby's room stirred so much compassion for him in me, so that I hardly ever had a hard time with all his crying. This will help you love your baby more, and the way it's written will really move your heart!! (Even my practical, no-nonsense husband read all the way through it!!)