Birth Without Fear

The Judgment-Free Guide to Taking Charge of Your Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum

By: January Harshe

Narrated by: January Harshe, Cynthia Barrett

An inclusive, non-judgmental, and empowering guide to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum life that puts mothersfirst, offering straightforward guidance on all the options and issues that matter most to them (and their partners) when preparing for a baby.

In Birth Without Fear, January Harshe--founder of the global online community Birth Without Fear--delivers an honest, positive, and passionate message of empowerment surrounding everything that involves having a baby. It's a guide that fills in the considerable cracks in the information available to women and families when they're preparing to welcome a child--covering care provider choices, medical freedom, birth options, breastfeeding, intimacy, postpartum depression, and much more.

Birth Without Fear shows moms, dads, partners, and families how to choose the best provider for them, how to trust in themselves and the birth process, and how to seek the necessary help after the baby has arrived. In addition, it will educate them about their rights--and how to use their voice to exercise them--as well as how to cope with the messy postpartum feelings many people aren't willing to talk about. Unlike other pregnancy books, Birth Without Fear will also help partners understand what mothers are going through, as well as discuss the challenges that they, too, will face--and how they can navigate them.

Shattering long-held myths and beliefs surrounding pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum experience, Birth Without Fear is an accessible, reassuring, and ultimately inspiring guide to taking charge of pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.

Critic reviews

"With endless warmth and encouragement--and not a single ounce of judgment--January Harshe shares a wealth of wisdom and resources to help you discover what the best pregnancy and birth experience is for you. Birth Without Fear is a must-have book for anyone who is preparing to welcome a baby into the world."—Dawn Dais, author of TheSh!t No One Tells You About Pregnancy

"The first book on pregnancy, childbirth, and the tender postpartum period that will leave you feeling truly supported, understood, and informed. January bravely calls out in a straightforward, funny, and thought-provoking way where we have gone wrong with prenatal and postnatal care, and how women can reclaim their experience and find empowerment on their journey to motherhood."—Bryn Huntpalmer,M.Ed., founder of "The Birth Hour" podcast

"Birth Without Fear is an inspiring, non-judgmental guide to taking charge of your birth and postpartum experience, as well as a no-nonsense, mother-centered approach to empowerment. A must read!"—Dr. Vivian Keeler, D.C., CD, HBCE, CH, VicePresident of HypnoBirthing International

"Practical, positive, and empowering."—Booklist

Full of truth and love

After reading 20+ pregnancy books to prepare for our twins this book easily hits the top 3 list. January’s honest, loving and kind approach to pregnancy, birth and postpartum is beautiful. In a world where birth can be surrounded by fear, secrets, judgement, and shame January creates space to reset expectations and explore our true and evolving selves with love.

Exceptionally helpful

Even though motherhood was an active, informed choice my partner and I made, I was still terrified about birth and motherhood! This book helped me get my mental state and emotions ready for this life changing journey. This isn’t a “how to” book. It’s more like a long conversation with a wise, non judgmental friend.

great book for moms!

This book has some great insight for moms in all stages. I would highly recommend it!

Empowering

As a man reading this book, I have learned a lot. There is so much empowering information from start to finish and I highly recommend it. It shows you how to stand for what is real, and what to do as a man.

Annoying

Could have gone without the “men go through postpartum and can be traumatized from their partner giving birth too” chapter. Just once can women have something?