Review: Teaching Natural Birth

Midwifery Today's Review of Teaching Natural Birth: Deciding to Teach and Establishing Your Own Successfull Business Spring 1995 No. 33

Teaching Natural Birth: Deciding to Teach and Establishing Your Own Successfull Business, by Jan Whitcomb, 1994. (Thornwood Gardens, San Diego, $21.95, 258 pages with 126 photos and illustrations, large-format paperback)

For anyone who is already teaching birth education, or who may be considering adding it to her services, Teaching Natural Birth provides countless creative hints, practical advice, and a large helping of moral support. Author Jan Whitcomb has drawn upon her many years of running a thriving birth education business to fill these pages with honest admonitions and amusing anecdotes. She takes the "wanna-be," novice, and experienced educator by the hand and in a chatty, friendly fashion divulges her philosophy, methodology and wisdom born of experience.

"They" say most couples aren't motivated enough to attend natural childbirth classes and take them seriously. "They" say there's too much time invested and not enough money made by natural birth educators. Whitcomb refutes these and other common myths about teaching natural birth, with detailed advice on how to gain, keep and develop the momentum that leads to success for both teachers and students.

My colleagues have made consistently contrasting comments about these photos. Some feel they aren't professional enough; others remark that the photos (almost all taken by Whitcomb and her clients) add a welcome touch of realism to the text. Teaching Natural Birth is like a much-needed visit from a friend and co-conspirator in the struggle for improved birth outcomes. The conversational tone of the text and the photos- so like those in my own bulging albums -make this book the next best thing to an extended visit from an "aunt in the business."

For those "on the fence" about spending the time and money to become a certified natural childbirth instructor, Teaching Natural Birth can be a wise investment. Organizations that certify educators of natural births methods should require candidates to read this text. Even those who have been in the field for some time will find new ideas within these pages. My copy is already tattered from continual re-openings to locate yet another hint that might help me in my work.

Reviewer Sue LaLeike lives in rural Ft. Myers, Florida with her family. She is a birth assistant, Bradley Method® educator, and contributing editor at Midwifery Today>

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