Birth

The Surprising History of How We Are Born

By: Tina Cassidy

Narrated by: Angela Starling

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Published to widespread acclaim, Tina Cassidy's smart, engaging book is the first world history of childbirth in 50 years. From evolution to the epidural and beyond, Tina Cassidy presents an intelligent, enlightening, and impeccably researched cultural history of how and why we're born the way we are. Women have been giving birth for millennia, but that's about the only constant in the final stage of the great process that is human reproduction. Why is it that every culture and generation seems to have its own ideas about the best way to give birth? Cassidy explores the physical, anthropological, political, and religious factors that have and will continue to influence how women bring new life into the world.

©2006 Tina Cassidy. Recorded by arrangement with Grove Atlantic, Inc. (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Wow. That was eye opening.

Having given birth to four children, three in the '80's and one in the '90's, I'm an "experienced" mother. But I did not know about the history of birth experiences in our country or around the world. So I found this very informative and intriguing to hear. And sad, too, to learn about the horrors of so many women's experience. I enjoyed the book very much though and would recommend.

Eye opening

Wow I admire the candor and details that the author shared to enlighten us all about the history of birth. It has shaped my perspective. I feel equally enraged at how the practice has been shaped, and yet grateful for our modern medical options. Thank you!

great read

enjoyed listening to this book. the narration was spectacular! I also appreciate the storyline and historical facts.

Doula approved

Informative, timely, and entertaining, delivering a history of birth across cultures and eras. A must read for any birthworker!

important historical work, fascinating and fun

really interesting and informative historical work. it was well researched and written, and I thought also it did especially well at being non-biased regarding birth choices and care providers, when all was said and done.

Renewed appreciation for everyday miracles

Pretty much anyone contemplating birth needs to read or listen to this book. There are some dicey parts you might skip if you don't have the stomach for it but this is, after all, a comprehensive treatment from the lilting to the barbaric. But what really shines there is the miraculous nature of, well, nurture. That and the fleeting fads that come with every cultural shift to the next best thing. If nothing else every father to be ought to read the sections that cover doulas to fathers about 3/4 into the book. It's really helpful.

Very Informative

The author presents an enormous, multi fasceted topic in a well organized consice manner. The research, statistics, anecdotes flow smoothly in this comprehensive compilation The narration is well done

Great insight into the history of birth

This book is not a epic adventure but a deep dive into the history of birth. It reads more like a textbook. There is a wealth of knowledge and surprising history in this book.

We've come so far, but not far enough

As a birth worker, I have studied the history of birth and still found the book fascinating. I'm still just amazed at what ai jotted down in my brain years ago, "You just CANNOT show up for your birth" and this really just drives it home for me. If you are in a role to support your daughter, sister, cousin, friend, hired to support a birthing person, you MUST read/listen in to this book. The hard part is really just how far we've gotten away from trusting our bodies to birth as they should and the results of this.

Great for parents or anyone in the birth field!

I'm a pelvic yoga teacher & postpartum doula. I was assigned this book as part of my prenatal yoga training. It was very eye-opening to learn the history of giving birth and how much it's changed over the years. It's a great book but be warned, its heavy. My heart was broken & mind was blown by some of the stories told. If you're pregnant, I definitely recommend reading this earlier on in your pregnancy. I think early on it could be empowering & very helpful in deciding your birth plan. I think if you read it too late, it might just add to the anxiety. As someone who has no children but wants them one day, the information in this book has made me feel more prepared for birth & the decisions that come along with it.