Product Description

One new mother in twenty is diagnosed with traumatic stress after childbirth. Drawing on mothers' voices and real-life experiences, Sheila Kitzinger explores the anxiety and panic experienced by these women.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #178612 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Review

'In the 1990s, Shelia Kitzinger set up a Birth Crisis hotline and corresponding workshops to address the concerns of women who contacted her about their difficult birth experiences.  Birth Crisis springs from their stories of distress and healing. Each chapter knits their experiences together with the author's commentary and lists ways to avoid destructive maternity care.' -  Jane Pincus, Vermont, USA

'Birth Crisis provides a thorough explanation of what constitutes a 'medicalized' birth experience and what the symptoms of PTSD are after giving birth. This book also provides women with alternatives to the medical model and provides support for women who may be experiencing trauma after giving birth....Birth Crisis does an excellent job of bringing to light a very important issue in women's health.' - Sara Martino, Contemporary Psychology: APA Review of Books

From the Back Cover

Birth Crisis

Sheila Kitzinger

When a woman is denied all choice - feels as if she has been swallowed up by a vast machine and spat out at the other end with a baby - how can she move on from there?

We probably all know someone who is distressed after childbirth. She has been told to pull herself together, be grateful for her beautiful baby, and is likely to have been prescribed anti-depressants. She may conceal her pain, but it can fester for years. In Birth Crisis Sheila Kitzinger explores women's experiences and their resulting anxiety. Topics include:

* Increasing intervention in pregnancy and birth

* the emphasis on technological surveillance

* how family friends and caregivers can respond to the needs of traumatised mothers

* why those working in the maternity system should promote change

Birth Crisis draws on the thousands of hours Sheila has listened to women's wide-ranging experiences and her knowledge of the maternity system.

She reveals the causes of this suffering, which has, until now, been brushed under the carpet. Her book is an essential resource for student and practising midwives and health professionals, as well as women and those close to them who want to learn how to come to terms with and heal the trauma.

Sheila Kitzinger is one of the leading authorities on childbirth. She has been described as 'the high priestess' of the birth movement and lectures in many countries. She is a vigorous campaigner for the rights of women in matters of birth, motherhood and sex and is a widely published author. Her books include Understanding your Crying Baby, The Politics of Birth, The New Experience of Childbirth, The New Pregnancy and Childbirth, Birth Your Way, Rediscovering Birth and Talking with Children about Things that Matter.

Health studies and midwifery

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Customer Reviews

Help if you're struggling after birth
I bought this book after seeing it advertised on the front page of the Birth Trauma Association's website. I read it in one sitting the afternoon it arrived, waiting desperately for my toddler to fall asleep so I could read it in peace. Just reading the Contents page gave reassurance that the book spoke about the issues that were troubling me, and would provide some much-needed help with sorting through the confused thoughts that I have about the horrible birth. On reading further I was not disappointed, but comforted, cheered, consoled, and strengthened by turns. I felt that I was not the odd one out, and was perfectly justified in feeling the way I did. I found this book a huge relief to read. Well recommended.

Birth Crisis
Very useful and well written book. A good resource for those who have had problems during their births as well as those working with pregnant women.