I didn't really learn or get anything from this book. Out all the books I have read about labor so far I would not recommend this one.

This is a good book for first time moms who want an idea of what labor pain will be like and the various medication available to them. It was not really helpful for me because I am having my second though. I liked the description of the various medications and the pluses and minuses of each.

honest and thoughtful - written by a doctor who wishes to prepare the expectant mother for anything. Definitely appreciated.

Recommended!

A good overview of a variety of medical and nonmedical options for childbirth. There is certainly a bit of bias in the writing (as is likely the case in any writing about childbirth) and the views skew towards medical intervention of some sort. With that said, I think it's a good overview of the different options available and how they work, how they may affect the mother and baby and more. I found it helpful overall.

Definitely focused on the pain of childbirth and the ENTIRE catalog of ways to cope with it - from epidurals to aromatherapy. Good if you want/need education on the options available and the pros/cons of each.

For me, I felt it was redundant with other information I had found, especially since I was already committed to a non-medicated birth. That said, if you are truly on the fence about what your options are and what each of them means, this is a great starting point - condensed info, easy to read, easy to navigate, not judgey.

I felt like not enough info was given about pain management choices. Basically, they gave the name and a quick overview and people's comments. That's it. I thought it give more of a description of what it was and how to use it.

The most unbiased book about labor I read during my pregnancy. It lays out all the options without showing favor to any of them. Very informative. It definitely helped me prepare for my first baby!

Comprehensive guide to pain relief options available during child birth. Really appreciated reading the testimonies of the anesthesiologists and gynecologists who gave birth and their birth plans and pain relief choices.

I was trying to find a book that addressed all pain management options in childbirth, not just "going natural." This was the only one at the library that I could find! I was impressed with the book because it gave a very comprehensive look at all forms of pain management, and gave opinions from anesthesiologists and obstetricians to midwives and doulas. I also liked the section at the end with personal birth stories of caregivers themselves. Worth reading!

excellent break down of all pain relief methods, including alternative non medication. i learned a lot

This is *definately* a must buy when I am pregnant - it is so straightforward and unbiased, I'll want it as a reference book.