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Grantly Dick-Read
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Childbirth without Fear: The Principles and Practice of Natural Childbirth Paperback – March 26, 2013

by Grantly Dick-Read (Author), Ina May Gaskin (Foreword)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 695 ratings
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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.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Pinter & Martin
  4. Publication date
    March 26, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    5.38 x 1.11 x 8.43 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1780660553
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1780660554
  8. See all details
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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

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pinter & Martin; 2nd edition (March 26, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1780660553
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1780660554
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.38 x 1.11 x 8.43 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 695 ratings

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Grantly Dick-Read

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
695 global ratings
I don't like this book
2 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

SLouie
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book, hands down - beautiful from cover to cover
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2019
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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.
121 people found this helpful
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Mrs Shain =)
5.0 out of 5 stars Get it. And laugh at the cover art. =D
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2019
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Its an oldie but a goodie. Its been revised many times. I was terrified of giving birth... Absolutely mortified. We actually lost our baby, and I had to birth him at five months. Thank god I read this... It can be wordy... Sometimes nearly sexist... But intimately it is so encouraging and reassuring through simple science. I used the information I gathered here to get through my experience. I would say it rescued me.
50 people found this helpful
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emrm
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for all women
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2019
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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!
42 people found this helpful
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Ronin
4.0 out of 5 stars Childbirth will still hurt even if you read this book!!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2015
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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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Jqpubkic
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommend this book for learning about fear and physiological response in birth
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2020
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This book does have verbose, outdated language. However, I found it a very helpful, enjoyable, and quick(er than I expected) read. There's a reason it has stood the test of time. The author is consistently cited by others, including Ina May Gaskin.
3 people found this helpful
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Colorado Family
5.0 out of 5 stars The best pregnancy resource that I've found
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2015
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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! :)
8 people found this helpful
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Jillian May
3.0 out of 5 stars Very intellectual/technical but repetitive and outdated
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2013
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I found the intellectual and technical aspects of the writing very educational. I also found the basic explanation of why pain occurs during birth [i.e. fear = pain, no fear = no pain] to be enlightening but that was about all I took from the book and if you read this last sentence, you don't need to make the purchase.

I was hoping to walk away with more ideas on how to manage pain naturally throughout the three stages of labor but in the end, the only explanation was "as long as you aren't afraid, you won't have to deal with pain." I just don't buy this..... I mean, c'mon, you put a picture of a screaming woman on the front cover who is delivering her own baby and then go on to say that labor and delivery can occur without any pain? Oh; I see, you use the term "discomfort" instead, right labor is "uncomfortable" not painful. OK.

In addition, the book tells story after story of the experiences of women who were "forced" to take medical pain relief. I found the historical information interesting [as in, "wow, that's how they used to do it"] but I can't imagine a hospital in a developed country during the 21st century strapping a laboring woman to a gurney and forcing her to take pain medications. Yes, I realize this book was written in the 30's but it shouldn't be marketed as "as fresh and relevant as it was when he originally wrote this book."
85 people found this helpful
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T. Collins
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a MUST READ- especially for mothers to be in the US
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2021
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Everything you need to know to get a rational, wholesome view on child birth is right here in this book and you won't want to put it down once you get into it. It is the inspiration being many other practices and led me to sign up for a Hypnobirthing class as well. Please purchase this for yourself and any other expecting mother in your life!
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazonian
5.0 out of 5 stars Good information
Reviewed in Canada on April 3, 2022
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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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Anand
5.0 out of 5 stars good
Reviewed in India on September 12, 2020
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good book
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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
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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.
8 people found this helpful
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Debbie Slauenwhite
5.0 out of 5 stars Intense
Reviewed in Canada on September 25, 2021
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For my daughter
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Rilla
5.0 out of 5 stars Imperdonabile omissione
Reviewed in Italy on June 22, 2019
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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
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