The Birth Partner, 4th Edition, Completely Revised and Updated: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Doulas, and Other Labor Companions

This is a really fantastic resource for any person in a supportive role to a pregnant woman. The book goes into explicit but easily digestible detail of pregnancy, different types of labor, the types of support one can offer in labor, what you'll encounter in a home birth vs a hospital birth, basic baby care after the birth, and caring for the mother throughout the entire process. It also covers the different styles of birth from home births to hospitals and natural labor to different medications that can be used. The tone of the book is really open and doesn't push any agenda of which way is better over another. Instead, pros and cons are laid out for each, and the book is really educational so that the mother and partner can make informed decisions. It's very pro-mother and its theme is that the mother's choices are the right choices for her. As a co-mother, I found the book to be inclusive of different support partners, as well. The book also offers a ton of resources with a number of links to videos, references to websites and other books. It's really a must-have read.

This was an excellent find. It gives practical, usable knowledge concerning what the mother is going through and ways you can help throughout the birthing process. It is an excellent resource for a significant other to review in an effort to know what to expect when you finally do go to the hospital. Most “new father” books are a complete waste of time. This was well organized and each section’s explanations were concise and digestible for people not otherwise trained in the subject. If your significant other is pregnant then you can pick this book with confidence.

Very easy to read, but still has so much important information. There are certain pages that are orange in color so that you can quickly find reference lists and info, instead of thumbing through. I love the way things are explained in simple terms, but still includes the science behind it. I bought it because my sister will be having her baby soon, but I found it very useful as I plan for future pregnancies.

I bought this after seeing this in the Library when I was pregnant with child number 7, I knew I had to have it! It gives so much information that not only could help a partner be a quality partner, but empowered me to know things to do for myself while in labor and understand so many more things. My daughter in fact wants to read this because she plans on being a labor and delivery nurse, and she wants to be as educated as possible to help all women going through labor and delivery

I was asked to be my best friend’s birth partner. I haven’t had kids and I wanted to be as supportive and helpful to her as possible. I searched high and low for a good resource and I am so glad I chose this one. I read all of it up to the last section (I didn’t want to freak myself or her out and I figure a doctor would be best to consult in an emergency situation- I sure didn’t go to med school). I kept the book with me into her labor and it made me much more comfortable during the process and most importantly made me much more helpful to her. I was even helping her understand what was going on during her pregnancy, labor and prelabor from information in this book. I felt very prepared. I highly recommend.

This is a very comprehensive book and a good read if you are curious and optimistic about birth process. Unfortunately, I don't think it is applicable for labor practice in American hospitals, where labor and delivery is a tough survival game among ignorant negligent sadistic morons called doctors and midwifes. We did not use any single tip from this book. Next time I will rather read something more practical - how to survive labor without/despite the medical 'help', how to collect evidence to sue your doctors, how to heal from PTSD, etc.

Hey you had fun making the baby, now you get to have it :) Unless your spouse/partner is a doula or midwife you should read some books and have a game plan. Reading this book is good way to get some ideas of what to expect and plan for. Your partner is about to have a bunch of people telling her what to do with her body and giving their opinions, both from the medical world and personal, even total strangers. Educate yourself, help her to make those informed decisions, know what questions to ask, and how to advocate for the birth of your child. Don't let that magical experience of your partner doing what is totally natural be turned into something handled by the medical world as an illness.

This book is amazing! I bought it for myself when I took a doula training course, and now as a labor & delivery nurse it's something I come back to regularly for tips. I even bought this second copy to send to my brother when they were expecting their first. A great read for anyone who wants to learn about birth and how to support those who are pregnant.

100% recomendable para prepararse para el parto

This was a great book, recommended to me by our Midwife. Would definitely recommend if you are expecting!

My husband and I read this book together. It taught u. Not only the book explains things to prepare but also taught my husband how to emotionally prepare and be there for me after the baby born. Highly recommended to all parents to be.

Excellent book, no nonsense, to the point and complete. It works both for general reading and as a reference guide for labour. If you want to prepare for labour, this is the only book you'll need. (Mind you, it does not deal with all of pregnancy, but rather focuses on labour (pre-, during, post-).

My husband has really been enjoying this book. Tons of useful information!