GentleBirth

By: Tracy Donegan

Narrated by: Tracy Donegan

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover your roadmap to a positive birth!

A positive birth comes in many forms - for some it’s an early effective epidural; for another it’s a serene water birth or a calm planned cesarean. What I know for sure is that a positive birth is defined by you - not your best friend, mom, or even your OB or midwife.

The award-winning GentleBirth program combines brain science, birth science, and technology so you can feel inspired, excited, and uplifted every day of your pregnancy - and beyond.

Every woman wants a safe, positive gentle birth - for themselves and for their baby. Midwife, GentleBirth founder, and positive birth expert Tracy Donegan shows you how as she guides you step by step including the following:

• Practical tools to prepare you and your partner for a positive birth - as defined by you!
• Use brain science to reduce pain and fear in labor
• Discover the ultimate stress reduction toolkit of techniques of simple meditation, hypnosis, and sport psychology
• Train your brain for confidence and resilience - long after your baby arrives
• Learn breathing techniques that work

Navigate your options with confidence for a GentleBirth for you and your baby.

©2006, 2018 Tracy Donegan (P)2018 Tracy Donegan

Great audio option for new and new-again parents!

I decided to try the Audible version of this book for my GentleBirth training and am very happy with the book and its content. I appreciate that GentleBirth has stayed up-to-date with the times and has made information easily accessible to parents via their app and this audio-book.
This book is a comprehensive and well-rounded childbirth prep book. As a doula, I find that it is very important for a childbirth prep book/program to touch on how important the mind/body connection is in pregnancy and childbirth. This book does this wonderfully by touching on the key concepts of mindfulness, hypnosis, brain chemistry, sports psychology, power poses etc and how they can really make a big difference in preparing for childbirth and beyond. Any book that takes you through positions for labor only, or healthy birth practices only, misses one of the main components of preparing for birth and the demands of new parenthood.
This book also touches on evidence-based practices and best international practices for childbirth and how one can discuss with their provider their personal preferences. It also enlightens new parents on the idea of personalized care vs "drive-thru" care where you get treated the same as everyone else. These are essential ideas for new parents to be aware of as they embark on their journey choosing a provider. Being aware of standards in care that are not best care standards is an important thing for parents to be aware of. It prepares them for what 90% of care in US hospitals looks like versus what international best care standards should be like.
Some things that can be worked on- 1. This book may have tried to cover it all from mind/body connection to variations in birth to breastfeeding and the postpartum… It ends up being a long book, but that's why I'd recommend the audio version instead of the physical book to my clients. Listening to it on your long car drives from place to place, or while doing the dishes/laundry etc is enough for getting through it. 2. I wish the Audible version had chapter titles accessible- I wanted to go back and review sections but wasn't able to. 3. There are a few concepts that I don't know that I agree with completely, but they are personal takes I have on how to approach birth and are minor things that each person can choose what works best for them. One example of this is that I found that there could have been an explanation of how many of the GentleBirth stories related were of parents in labor going into the hospital pretty early on in labor (being checked in at 2 and 3 cm) when international standards discuss active labor being at 6 centimeters and how being admitted before that could put a parent at higher risk for being placed ‘on the clock’ and can thus lead to a higher risk of a cesarean.
Overall, I will DEFINITELY be adding this book to my list of recommended reads for new parents and will be recommending the Audible version to my clients. I think it's a great summary of the most important concepts that will come their way on their journey through pregnancy, birth and the postpartum. Being exposed to a little bit of everything, including how challenging new parenthood can be, is so very useful.

Highly Recommended as a Doula

As a birth doula, I have seen firsthand the power of the GentleBirth book to help women have positive and empowering births. The book is written by Tracy Donegan, a certified nurse midwife and doula, and it is full of practical advice and support for women who are planning to give birth. As a matter of fact I was introduced to GentleBirth by a mother I was working with! I was in aww at her experience and was excited to learn more about GentleBirth. From the moment I started to listen to the book I knew this was something that could help my future and current mothers to be!

The book begins by helping women to define what a positive birth means to them. Donegan emphasizes that there is no one right way to give birth, and that what matters most is that the woman feels in control and supported throughout the process.

The book then goes on to discuss the physical and emotional aspects of labor and birth. Donegan provides detailed information about the stages of labor, as well as tips on how to cope with pain and discomfort. She also discusses the importance of relaxation, visualization, and breathing techniques.

In addition to practical advice, the GentleBirth book also offers women emotional support and encouragement. Donegan shares her own personal experiences of childbirth, and she provides stories from other women who have had positive births. She also includes a chapter on birth affirmations, which can be a powerful way to stay positive and focused during labor.

I have found the GentleBirth book to be an invaluable resource for me and my clients. It is a comprehensive and informative guide that can help women to feel prepared and confident about their upcoming birth. I highly recommend it to any woman who is planning to give birth or is a birth worker.

Here are some specific things that I appreciate about the GentleBirth book:

It is evidence-based. Donegan cites scientific research throughout the book to support her recommendations.
It is inclusive. Donegan acknowledges that there is no one right way to give birth, and she offers advice that is relevant to women of all backgrounds and experiences.
It is empowering. Donegan encourages women to take control of their birth experience and to trust their bodies.
It is practical. The book is full of practical tips and advice that women can use to prepare for labor and birth.
It is supportive. Donegan offers emotional support and encouragement throughout the book.
Overall, I believe that the GentleBirth book is an excellent resource for women who are planning to give birth. It is a comprehensive, informative, and empowering guide that can help women to have positive and empowering births.

In addition to the book, I also recommend the GentleBirth app. The app includes the same content as the book, but it is also interactive and includes features such as guided meditations, relaxation and mindful exercises, and affirmations. I have found the app to be a helpful way to stay mindful, relaxed and focused.

If you are planning to give birth, I encourage you to read the GentleBirth book and/or use the GentleBirth app. These resources can help you to have a positive and empowering birth experience.

Empowering and Educational

I loved all about this book.
I know how powerful training your mind can be, but needed the reminders and techniques of GentleBirth book.
I love how it’s for every type of birth. It feels very inclusive and I feel more prepared to have the best experience no matter what my delivery journey might be.

Inspirational

This was one of the best books I have listened to in a very long time. It was very inspiring and empowering and I recommend that anyone that is thinking about having a baby listen to it and soak in the very valuable information.