I would strongly suggest this book, not only to fathers and partners going into birth for the first time, but also to first-time birthing mothers and even couples with birthing experience. Great information and pain-management tips for all the stages of labor. A really well-written book on the process of birth, this includes information on different physical positions a woman can take and how her partner can assist her most successfully. It has chapters on the hormones and physical changes that occur during labor, what to expect from a woman in the different stages of labor, and how to communicate effectively with a woman in the labor trance. It has a very fair and balanced section on the pros and cons of epidurals and other pain medications as well as situations you may encounter depending on whether you are birthing at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital. I like that it gives very concrete examples of things that a labor partner can do to prepare before, during, and after the birth. The tone of the book, directed at fathers, is not condescending, nor is it too abstract or spiritual. It has to be very difficult to translate mental relaxation techniques to the written page without sounding too "hippy-dippy," but I think the author has done a great job of that, without denying the truth that birth is a profoundly emotional event that demands more than just intellect. I'm glad, as a woman approaching birth, to have read this myself, and I have no qualms about sharing this book with my very rational husband. This is the book I've been looking to bring to him.
