CHOICES IN CHILDBIRTH

by Silvia Feldman ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 14, 1978

A broad but undistinguished summary of childbirth options which enumerates most possibilities but clearly favors particular ones. Feldman, a psychotherapist and teacher, examines the decisions expectant families face (natural or medically-managed childbirth, breast or bottle feeding) and discusses the spectrum of related issues: diet, exercises, drugs, birth assistants and settings. The merits and disadvantages of each are considered, her own preferences unconcealed. For example, she questions the Lamaze technique premium on self-control (""The greatest drawback of the Lamaze method is its equation of a normal, uneventful childbirth with success"") and puts breast-fed babies in a class by themselves: ""It is a mistake to compare their developmental pattern to that of the placid, dolllike, sleepy bottle-fed baby."" And she suggests, ""Many natural childbirths are failing because of poor communication and bad 'vibes'"" between doctor and patient. Despite her bias and trendy tone, Feldman's compendium could help uninformed families size up the issues and could direct them to fuller sources of information.

Pub Date: Aug. 14, 1978

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1978

Categories: NONFICTION