BIRTH REBORN, revised 1995, by Michael Odent contains remarkable photographs of birthing women. Written by the French doctor who created a model of safe and harmonious birth, it is based on the belief that the woman herself knows best how to birth.

BIRTH OVER THIRTY-FIVE, revised 1995, by Sheila Kitzinger thoughtfully and reassuringly reviews the joys and challenges facing the older mother.

MIND OVER LABOUR; USING THE MIND'S POWER TO REDUCE PAIN IN CHILDBIRTH, 1987, by Carl Jones is an eight step method using mental imagery to prepare for birth.

THE WELL PREGNANCY BOOK, 1986, by Mike and Nancy Samuels is a large, illustrated, comprehensive, well written guide for pregnancy including the emotional, physical and psychological aspects. A very worthwhile book, reasonably priced.

Nutrition For Mother And Child

AS YOU EAT, SO YOUR BABY GROWS, 1980 and now revised, by Nikki Goldbach. This 16 page booklet contains, in concise form, all you need to know about nutrition in pregnancy. It provides an easy-to-follow plan for getting optimum nutrition during pregnancy, as well as a discussion of essential nutrients and the foods they are found in, and advice on weight gain, diet and food related problems.

WHAT TO EAT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING, 1986, by Arlene Eisenberg, is a guide to eating nutritiously at home, at work and while travelling.

MOTHER AND BABY BOOK, 1993, by Rose Elliot, is a complete guide to nutrition and diet during and after pregnancy.

FEEDING YOUR BABY IN THE 90'S: From conception to age two, revised 1992, by Louise Lambert-Lagace, is a practical, highly readable book on how to feed your baby including recipes. THE NUTRITION CHALLENGE FOR WOMEN, by the same author is the best overall book for women on nutrition and addresses their special needs.

Also remember to visit your local public health unit to obtain their excellent pamphlets on prenatal nutrition.

Using Herbs, Homeopathy And Nutrition Wisely During Pregnancy

HEALING YOURSELF DURING PREGNANCY, 1987, by Joy Gardener. A clearly written guide to herbs, vitamins and nutrition offering a holistic approach to pregnancy from inception to nursing the newborn baby.

ALTERNATIVE MATERNITY, 1989, by Nicky Wesson. This book was written by a British woman who was forced to learn about alternative medicine when her two young children were sick and unable to be helped by conventional medicine. This book provides a comprehensive guide to alternative therapies, including acupuncture, homeopathy and herbs.

Choosing To Birth Outside A Hospital

HOMEBIRTH, THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO GIVING BIRTH OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL, 1991, by Sheila Kitzinger. Kitzinger feels that choosing your own birthplace, one in which you feel most secure, is a fundamental right of women. She gives a thorough scientific backing to her assertion that home is a safe place for birth. "At present," she says, "saying "no" to a hospital... is for most of us, the only way to reclaim the experience of childbirth for women." Kitzinger herself birthed her five daughters at home in England.

THE BIRTH CENTER, by Victor and Sallee Berman. A physician and nurse-midwife detail their experiences at their birth center.

HEART AND HANDS, 2nd edition revised 1992, by Elizabeth Davis, is a comprehensive guide to the art and science of midwifery.

WATERBIRTH, THE CONCISE GUIDE TO USING WATER DURING PREGNANCY BIRTH AND INFANCY, by Janet Balaskas, 1992. This book explains how water can be used in the pregnancy and birth process and also gives information on baby massage and teaching babies to swim.