Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: The wisdom and science of gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting

by Dr. Sarah J. Buckley

[2005. Brisbane, Australia: One Moon Press, www.sarahjbuckley.com; 327 pages, paperback.]

[Review first published in Midwifery Today Issue 77, Spring 2006, © 2006, Midwifery Today, Inc. Review by Cheryl K. Smith.]

Sarah Buckley is well-known in the midwifery community as a frequent contributor to Midwifery Today (see the excerpt from her book "Prenatal Diagnosis" on page 18 of this issue) and other publications. She combines her expertise as a medical doctor with her experience as a homebirthing mom to produce this unique book. Divided into three sections, she first recounts her own birth experiences; then discusses the evidence on ultrasound, breech birth, cesareans, epidurals and other birth-related issues; and ends the book with articles on issues related to mothering, such as extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping and raising a baby without diapers. This book is a good read, with just the right combination of knowledge and experience. I highly recommend it!

Reviewer Cheryl K. Smith is managing editor for Midwifery Today magazine, editor and publisher of Ruminations, the Nigerian Dwarf and Mini Dairy Goat Magazine and raises a herd of miniature dairy goats in the coast range of Oregon.

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