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Childbirth Without Fear: The Principles and Practice of Natural Childbirth Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 702 ratings

In an age when normal birth can still be overtaken by obstetrics, Grantly Dick-Read's philosophy is still as fresh and relevant as it was when he originally wrote this book. He unpicks the root causes of women's fears and anxiety about pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding with overwhelming heart and empathy. As one of the most influential birthing books of all time, Childbirth Without Fear is essential reading for all parents-to-be, childbirth educators, midwives and obstetricians!

This definitive reissue includes the full text of the fourth edition, the last completed by Grantly Dick-Read before his death in 1959, and The Autobiography of Grantly Dick-Read, compiled from his writings.

With a foreword by Ina May Gaskin.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Grantly Dick-Read (1890-1959) studied at Cambridge and at the London Hospital. The publication of Childbirth without Fearcaused widespread controversy but, encouraged by many women who had given birth using the 'Dick-Read method', he dedicated his life to promoting natural childbirth."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00CX914HO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pinter & Martin (May 20, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 20, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1275 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 534 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 702 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
702 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and informative. They find it empowering and inspiring, helping to dispel myths about childbirth. The book helps reduce fears and prepare for a positive birth experience. However, some readers feel it's repetitive and outdated.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

77 customers mention "Readability"54 positive23 negative

Customers find the book well-written and useful for expecting families. They appreciate the content but find it a bit heavy to read. The intellectual and technical aspects of the writing are educational.

"...While this book is dated, it is still accurate and educational for those who are receptive to the information...." Read more

"I'd have to say all around the best book that I've read this far on pregnancy-related topics...." Read more

"...But, if you can make it through, it will be well worth it. I actually LOVE the cover photo. It does not depict PAIN to me, it depicts MIGHT...." Read more

"...The book is well written, but the cover is horrifying." Read more

48 customers mention "Information content"48 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and educational. It helps them understand myths and common beliefs about childbearing. They say it explains the truth about women's ability to give birth and brings everything into perspective. While some readers find the medical information in the book a bit wordy, they consider it an essential read for all moms-to-be.

"...While this book is dated, it is still accurate and educational for those who are receptive to the information...." Read more

"...Not only will you find notes to reflect upon (which is what a "good read" should be packed with) you'll find information that is still sound, points..." Read more

"...After reading it, I feel empowered and ready to take labor on, where as before reading it, I was scared. This book is NOT an EASY read...." Read more

"I read this while I was pregnant for my 3rd baby. He had some interesting theories, but being a man, had never given birth...." Read more

28 customers mention "Pain level"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for a better birth experience. They say it provides a rational and holistic view on childbirth, helping them relax, educate, and focus their thoughts to support natural childbirth. The book helps banish fears about pain in childbirth and reprogram their minds. It is an excellent guide to childbirth that gives great insight into having their first baby.

"...I had no pain apart from when I had to lay down briefly for fetal monitoring and cervical checks...." Read more

"...That is what a natural unassisted birth without complications can look like ... that is raw and real...." Read more

"...After reading it, I feel empowered and ready to take labor on, where as before reading it, I was scared. This book is NOT an EASY read...." Read more

"...As a new parent I relied on this book to assuage my fears about pain in childbirth and to reprogram my mind from the popular beliefs that the media..." Read more

4 customers mention "Beauty"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and helpful for preparing for a positive birth experience. They say it depicts strength, not pain.

"...in so many ways for you more so than others who may find the cover absolutely beautiful in so many ways...." Read more

"...I actually LOVE the cover photo. It does not depict PAIN to me, it depicts MIGHT. Hear us roar! :)" Read more

"...It helps you prepare for a beautiful birth without fear" Read more

"Birth is beautiful..." Read more

8 customers mention "Boredom"0 positive8 negative

Customers find the book repetitive and boring. They feel it's outdated and hard to get into, so they stopped reading after a while.

"...great book to add to your pregnancy preparations reading. some is boring, some is unnecessary, but there are some helpful things if you are trying..." Read more

"...I really not a sensitive person but its not appealing...." Read more

"...roles from this book based on the publishing date alone but it was truly awful...." Read more

"...It is a lengthy read and can get a little boring at times, but has so much information...." Read more

6 customers mention "Dated content"0 positive6 negative

Customers find the book's content dated. They mention it's a good read, but with old-fashioned and technical language.

"This book was exceptionally boring and repetitive. It felt outdated...." Read more

"A little dated but worth the read." Read more

"Very intellectual/technical but repetitive and outdated..." Read more

"Good read, but old fashioned and technical language..." Read more

I don't like this book
2 out of 5 stars
I don't like this book
I don't like this book. Honestly it's a bit more about THE TRAGIC HISTORY of the US OBGYN system. Imformation is refer to 1970-1990. It could be interesting for people who want to discover why things where soooooo bad in natural birthing practices in the US until recently, but for moms to be I would not recommend this book. I fond the book "Birthing Partner" by Simkin way helpful, comprehensive and clear for a direct recommendations for how to stay health during last trimester of pregnancy and prepare mom to be and her partner for labor and first days after birth. And additional comment re cover: it's too much. I really not a sensitive person but its not appealing. And I actually doubt it help boost the sales of the book (as marketing & PR people might think).
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2024
    I read this book in 1994 prior to the birth of my first child. Along with reading Ina May Gaskin’s Spiritual Midwifery, taking Bradley method childbirth classes, and choosing a midwife who was 100% in alignment with my plan to give birth without drug and chemical interventions, I was able to do exactly that at the tender age of 15. I had no pain apart from when I had to lay down briefly for fetal monitoring and cervical checks. It is so important to be educated about the physiological processes happening during childbirth and understand what you can do to remain comfortable during labor and birth. Hospitals and medical interventions are great at savings lives but for low risk situations, it is possible to have the birth you want with the right preparation. While this book is dated, it is still accurate and educational for those who are receptive to the information. I highly recommend it to those who are interested and want to pursue an intervention and medication free labor and delivery.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2019
    I'd have to say all around the best book that I've read this far on pregnancy-related topics. I started this book around month seven, but it was in my shelf for years as I'm a prospective midwifery/MD student and MPH. This book was and in so many ways ahead of its time in terms of philosophy towards pregnancy, birth, and treatment of women and women's healthcare. Not only will you find notes to reflect upon (which is what a "good read" should be packed with) you'll find information that is still sound, points to research yourself further on ... all well-balanced throughout the text.

    Many other pregnancy books are redundant with very basic and watered down information throughout, disappointing to say the least for someone who wants to spend time exploring philosophy and basic practical concepts/actions of pregnancy and birth.

    For those who's reviews stated they wouldn't read because of the cover this book is in so many ways for you more so than others who may find the cover absolutely beautiful in so many ways. That is what a natural unassisted birth without complications can look like ... that is raw and real. Such images are what young minds need to Be exposed to if we ever want to better the health care and attitudes towards pregnancy and birth for both mother and baby and any others that might be invited to witness it take place.

    Wonderful read.
    128 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2015
    This book has been the most helpful resource that I have come across during my pregnancy. After reading it, I feel empowered and ready to take labor on, where as before reading it, I was scared. This book is NOT an EASY read. But, if you can make it through, it will be well worth it. I actually LOVE the cover photo. It does not depict PAIN to me, it depicts MIGHT. Hear us roar! :)
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2015
    I read this while I was pregnant for my 3rd baby. He had some interesting theories, but being a man, had never given birth. It does contain some helpful tips, especially the section on breastfeeding. As far as eliminating fear to reduce pain during childbirth- it's a load of crap!! Although, I think it is important to stay calm and not fight the contractions in order for labor to be as efficient as possible. However, if you don't want pain during childbirth, make sure you have an anesthesiologist who knows what they're doing!! I did use his tip about drinking red raspberry leaf tea. I was 5 days past my due date, so it didn't help put me in labor, but it did shorten and lighten the post-pardum bleeding and my uterus shrunk much faster than my previous pregnancies. The book is well written, but the cover is horrifying.
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2017
    This is a timeless book with all of the knowledge one needs for labor and birth. As a new parent I relied on this book to assuage my fears about pain in childbirth and to reprogram my mind from the popular beliefs that the media tells us how labor should go. I had two very peaceful births and will recommend this book to all my pregnant friends. While reading it I felt as if a good friend was assuring me it will all be ok but it reads as a scholarly book.
    42 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2019
    I had a terror of childbirth and did not have kids because of that fear. But this book really helped me shift my perspective. Like so many things (diet, exercise, psychology, religion) what is 'common knowledge' is not accurate or necessarily correct. It's a long book, but you can skip chapters that you don't need. The author, a man, comes across as very loving and respectful of women, and through his long career helping women give birth, he learned, documented and then taught women how to have childbirth without fear and without more than intense discomfort (like hard work, instead of pain). Although drugs were always an option, most women, who were trained by him, refused the drugs and later said that the natural childbirth was the most spiritual experience of their lives and that they bonded with their babies in a way that is impossible when drugged. There is so much info in the book, so I can only touch on it here. This book should be handed down from women generation to generation. We are now talking about having children!
    46 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2013
    I found this book a disappointment after all the hype I've heard about it through other books referring to it ie Ina May's Guide to Childbirth etc and all the reviews on here of the previous edition. First of all the formatting of this new book is very hard to read, the font is small and it's squashed together. Would have been better had they used a bigger font and more space just to make it easier on the eyes as there is a LOT of content in here.
    It is very thorough in explanations which I found tedious in parts. Perhaps if this was the only book I was to read I would have a differing opinion but many books have been written that I read before this that refer to content from this book, and elaborate on it further in a much easier to read fashion.
    I was really looking forward to reading this book but to be completely honest, I got nothing new from it at all and the fact that its formatting makes it difficult to read I would not recommend it when there are many out there much more straightforward with better formatting.
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Anand
    5.0 out of 5 stars good
    Reviewed in India on September 12, 2020
    good book
  • Rilla
    5.0 out of 5 stars Imperdonabile omissione
    Reviewed in Italy on June 22, 2019
    Una conferma sul significato della sofferenza nel travaglio. Il dolore ė intollerabile solo se ne abbiamo paura. Dovrebbe essere regalato dai ginecologi alle loro gestanti ai primi mesi di gravidanza
  • a
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on March 19, 2016
    Great book! Inspiring
  • Clareellabella
    5.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy this for birth preparation - but DO buy it for fascinating history of childbirth and great amusement.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2015
    This book has had me laughing and incredulous throughout. Last published in 1944 the political commentary is extraordinarily interesting - particularly to those in the UK. However please do know that this is not a light read, it will not teach you the basics of childbirth and it may not necessarily be the best reference book for preparing to give birth. It's an intense, funny, political and informative book that will appeal greatly to anyone who likes to get really stuck in to a story, loves to know the history and who has some knowledge of the process of labour prior to reading. Ina May Gaskin's book on preparing for birth is more useful to the preparing mother. And in fact while she was greatly inspired by Grantly Dick-Read (who couldn't be!) she only writes the foreword in this and had no part in writing the body of the book. It's misleading that she is listed as an author. But happily so as because of that I bought it while pregnant with my first and have loved reading it - but I am an antenatal yoga teacher and have already been researching childbirth for 4+ years.
  • Amazonian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good information
    Reviewed in Canada on April 3, 2022
    This book had a lot of good information. It wasn't as easy a read as some other books but it did cover the subject thoroughly.

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