Recommended Reading List

CARES SA Inc recommends that you read as much material as possible. It is so important to be informed about all your options in birth. Below is a list of books that you will find informative, illuminating, challenging and sometimes life changing. They all give unique perspectives on birth and are essential reading to educate yourself on achieving a Vaginal Birth after Caesarean. We have included some that are just beautiful books that are full of inspiration for women. CARES SA Inc members have full access to our library, allowing them to enjoy reading the growing collection of books and videos. Books in the CARES SA library are highlighted in purple.

Important Information - Some of these wonderful books are now out of print. Where I am able to, I have included the library call numbers and indicated which library holds them in Adelaide. Books can be borrowed through the PLANE system of the local public libraries network.

The Business of Being Born - A documentary film from Executive Producer Ricki Lake and Director Abby Epstein.

Directors Statement - When my friend Ricki Lake approached me about making this film, I admitted to her that I was afraid to even witness a woman giving birth, let alone film one. I had never pronounced the word "midwifery" and I thought Ricki insane, as she planned the birth of her second child, for passing up an epidural in a hospital delivery.

But as I did the research, I discovered that the business of being born is another infuriating way medical traditions and institutions – hospitals and insurance companies – actually discourage choice and even infringe on parents’ intimate rites, ultimately obstructing the powerful natural connection between mother and newborn child.

As I began to shoot the film, I saw that nowhere does the tension between technology and nature play out more dramatically than birth. The film became an unexpectedly personal journey when I hesitantly turned the camera on my own pregnancy and became my own subject. Initially making choices based on faith and intuition, I had to contend firsthand with all the issues and politics I had been exploring from a comfortable distance, until my choices were put to the ultimate test. The birth of my child and this film will remain forever intertwined, and both continue to surprise and thrill me every day. (Abby Epstein, April 2007)

A Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth - 3rd Edition. Enkin, Keirse et al (Oxford University Press, Oxford; 1995) ISBN 0192623249 paperback
The essential guide for midwives, doctors and parents. An excellent, easy to read source of accurate up-to-date research information about all aspects of prenatal, birthing and postnatal care, including Caesareans and VBAC. 2nd edition is available from Barr Smith Library, University of Adelaide Call No. 618.2 C438 e1

Silent Knife - Nancy Wainer Cohen, Lois J Estner. (USA; 1983)
Groundbreaking book. Invaluable reading for anyone planning a VBAC. Examines the causes of the increase in Caesarean Section rates, the dangers of Caesarean section and ways to avoid them. Also includes many personal VBAC and Caesarean stories.

Open Season: A Survival Guide for Natural Childbirth and VBAC in the 90s - Nancy Wainer Cohen (Bergin & Garvey, New York; 1991) ISBN 0 89789 272 0 paperback
The sequel to Silent Knife. Elaborates and reports on many issues raised in Silent Knife some 10 years earlier. Irreverent reading, with purposefully strong messages.

Birth after Caesarean: Unlimited Possibilities - Ed. Coralie Daniels, Kathleen Oldman, Tricia Riggs and Jenny Allan (BACUP; Canberra, 1997) ISBN 0 646 32261 3
As the cover suggests, stories to encourage and inspire. A wonderful Australian perspective on trying to achieve a Vaginal Birth After Caesarean. A Must!

The VBAC Experience: Birth Stories by parents and professionals - Lynn Baptisti Richards (Bergin & Garvey, Mass., USA; 1987)

The Caesarean Experience - Sarah Clement (Pandora Press London; 1995) ISBN 0 04 440935 4
A great book that looks at Caesareans both psychologically and physiologically. Out of print LIBRARY BOOK. Campbelltown Library hold a copy.

Childbirth Choices - A. Bennett, W. Etherington and D. Hewson (Penguin Books, Victoria; 1993)
Factual information about the safety of Caesarean section and VBAC's and other choices to be made during the childbearing years. Easy to read format.

Natural Childbirth after Caesarean: A practical guide - K Crawford and J Walters (USA; 1996)
Covers the medical facts about VBAC, offers good sound advice on choosing the best way to have a VBAC.

Optimal Fetal Positioning - Jean Sutton and Pauline Scott 2nd edition (NZ; 1996)
Optimal fetal positioning is a simple and commonsense approach to help align the foetus (baby!) in the maternal pelvis before labour begins.

Transformation through Birth - Claudia Panuthos (USA; 1984)
Includes a chapter on the psychological and emotional aspects of Caesareans and VBAC.

Trust your Body! Trust your Baby! Childbirth wisdom and Caesarean prevention - Andrea Frank Henkart (USA; 1995)
A fresh approach to the challenges, fears and decisions involved in giving birth, including discussion on VBAC.

Your body, Your baby - Edited by Teresa Libesman and Vani Sripathy (Redfern Legal Centre Publishing, Canberra; 1996) ISBN 0947205314
Women's legal rights from conception to birth. Challenges the myth that 'doctor knows best'. Information about consequences, risks, alternative, legal rights and responsibilities.

VBAC Source Book and Teaching Kit - Nicette Jukelevics, MA, ICCE and Ruth Ancheta, ICCE, CD (DONA) (ICEA 2000) ISBN 0934024189
A wonderful resource on vbac and how educators can present to ante-natal groups all the issues and things that need to be considered in order to have a vbac. Should be in every hospital.

Unnecessary Cesareans: Ways to Avoid Them - Diony Young and Charles Mahan. 2nd Edition 44 pgs (ICEA Minnesota: 1989) ISBN 0934024006
A booklet that looks at Caesarean section why its use has increased, the risks, birth practices that influence its use, vbac, repeat caesarean and recovering from caesarean.

Obstetric Myths versus Research Realities - Henci Goer (USA; 1995) 400pp
A fresh look at current trends in routine maternity care. Explores a variety of key obstetric issues with a view to making the medical literature more accessible to health professionals. Has an excellent chapter on how to read and understand research papers.

The VBAC companion - Diane Korte (USA; 1997)
In the VBAC companion Diana Korte explains the risks and benefits of both VBACs and repeat Caesareans. She tells how to work on overcoming fears about labor and how to find a VBAC friendly doctor (or midwife) and hospital (or birth centre), and how to get extra support, from a labour assistant, childbirth educator, or VBAC support group.

Birthing from Within; An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation - Pam England CNM, MA, Rob Horowitz PhD (Partra Press, New Mexico: 1998) ISBN 0965987302
WOW! This book is absolutely essential for women who want to explore birth in a deeper way than they thought possible. It has some wonderful anecodotal stories throughout which demonstrate how our attitudes to birth affect the outcome. Many ideas on healing.

Caesarean Birth in Britain: A book for Health Professionals and parents - Colin Francome, Wendy Savage, Helen Churchill and Helen Lewison (Middlesex University Press; 1993)
This book is excellent because it considers women's feelings and experiences of surgical birth, as well as providing much sought after information.

Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom - Christine Northrup (The Bath Press, Bath; 1999) ISBN 0749919256
A book that looks at women's health in a holistic manner. Northrup herself is an Associate Clinical Professor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a member of the American Holistic Medical Association.

Care in normal birth - WHO
T he World Health Organisation document on what consitutes good and safe care during birth. Available from Barr Smith Library, University of Adelaide Call No. 618.4 M425c

Immaculate Deception 11: A fresh look at childbirth - Suzanne Arms (Celestial Arts, Berkeley, California: 1994) ISBN 0890876339
More clear and concise reading about Caesareans and VBAC issues. Also has a great section on midwives, doulas and the impact of support and continuity of care. Stunning photographic images.

Immaculate Deception: A new look at women and childbirth in America - Suzanne Arms. (San Francisco Book Company/Houghton Mifflin Book, Boston: 1975) ISBN 0395199735
A classic book which looks at birth as a natural event historically and what has changed to make women fearful of birth. Looks at medical intervention and its effects. The first chapter has a moving account of birth as our ancestors would have experienced it. Wonderful photographic images. Out of print.

Caesareans: an explanation and preparation - Elliott Philipp (Sidgwick & Jackson, London 1988) ISBN 0293996889
A great book with lots of information about Caesareans and the risks and benefits to think about. It is available from the State Library of South Australia Call No. 618.86 P551

How to avoid a cesarean section - Christopher Norwood (Simon and Schuster, New York. 1984) ISBN 0671469169
As the book cover says,'Why hundreds of thousands of unnecessary cesarean operations are performed each year and what you should know to protect yourself and your baby. It is available from the State Library of South Australia Call No. 618.86 N894

Birth After Caesarean: The Medical Facts - Dr Bruce L Flamm. (Prentice Ball, New York 1990)
Statistics on the world's largest study on VBAC. Easy to read, question and answer format. Out of print

Artemis Speaks: VBAC Stories and natural childbirth information - Nan Koehler - out of print

Caesarean Birth: A reassuring guide for Australian parentS - Zena Armstrong. (Viking O'Neil, Melbourne; 1990) - out of print

Pregnancy as Healing Vol. 11 (Caesarean Birth: Risk and Culture) - Gayle Peterson and Lewis Mehl. (USA; 1984) - out of print

The Expectant Parent's Guide to Preventing a Caesarean Section - Carl Jones (USA) - out of print

Making Informed Decisions About Caesarean Section
Caesarean Section; What are your options? - Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, pamphlets
These two pamphlets should be read in conjunction with each other. Give a good basic starting point for women wanting a VBAC or repeat Caesarean section. Please note that these wonderful pamphlets may no longer be available. Contact me if you are interested in viewing them as I hold one copy of each.

From the Silence - Helen Ferrara, video
Produced in Western Australia, looks at how a woman experiences birth in a hospital setting today, focusing on the cascade of interventions.

We thank and acknowledge the work of BACUP and Birthrites in compiling this book list. Many of the books are from their reading list.