Book Reviews

“This accessible and down-to-earth book, “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets” came about after the author found a dearth of helpful information about childbirth during her own pregnancy. What she learned after running an ad requesting mothers to send her their best tips on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care will not surprise those of us who have worked in birth for any length of time: Medicalized birth is causing trauma and physiological damage to moms and babies. This gem of a book guides women through the months of pregnancy and into the newborn and breastfeeding period, imparting along the way a wealth of “secrets” compiled by the author. These secrets address such issues as choosing a provider, prenatal testing, cesarean section, preparing for birth, circumcision and breastfeeding. This book will make a great gift for any expectant parents.”

“How can we maximize our chances of ease, pleasure and safety at birth? How can we minimize our need for interventions? Can we begin, even from early pregnancy, to increase our poise and self-possession, and take the steps that are most likely to give us a joyful and confident start? Fortunately, this journey — the journey towards natural birth –is mapped out here before you. Gail Dahl has assembled a treasure-trove of wisdom from some of the foremost experts in the area. Not only is there wisdom and experience, but she includes the scientific evidence that you need, presented in easily understandable language. And, like a good friend, “Pregnancy and Childbirth Secrets” is with you through the whole journey and comes in with just the information and advice that you need at the right time. Pregnancy and childbirth are pivotal life events. Pregnancy and Childbirth Secrets will give you the resources you need for a gentle, joyful, and confident start for your whole family.”

“Gail Dahl’s book is a gem. It is full of excellent “secrets” which are based on the best scientific evidence and are, therefore; reliable information.”

“The book offers new research and information on everything from the so-called business of childbirth, to the various birthing choices and medical interventions now available, including having a baby at home versus a birthing centre or in a hospital.”

“Gail Dahl, author of “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets”, became a birth activist the same way many women do: she gave birth herself and, after the fact, saw clearly what she wished had been different. Dahl stands out because she has found a way to transform her personal experience into positive action in the community. She is, in fact, changing the way women give birth – one baby at a time. Gail Dahl is, first and foremost, a mother – a mother who was changed by the experience of giving birth to her daughter; a mother who wanted to capture the secrets she learned in the delivery room to share with her daughter later; a mother who soon came to realize that those secrets should be shared with all daughters, not just her own.”

“Thank you for all your work in preparing this book.”

“Thanks Gail for the book, Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets, everyone is excited to get their hands on one!”

“I wanted to tell you that your book has been such an amazing resource in my prenatal class. Every woman is writing a review for you (+10) and I have put one in the hands of all the local doulas and midwives as well. I am going to be training 12 new doulas this winter and your book is now a required text.”

“Gail Dahl has researched and gathered information that makes pregnancy a gentle, soft, safe experience. In this day of information it is amazing to me that mothers must still search and hunt for what is needed to bring a mother and baby safely through the amazing experience called BIRTH. Gail’s dedication to bring healthy happy babies into this world makes her a pioneer in her field. Thank you Gail, I so appreciate your commitment.”

“Sounds like you have really met a need with your book, and have hit a sweet spot of consumer readiness, so to speak.”

“This is a great addition to my HypnoBirthing class handouts. Please keep me on your mailing list. I have ordered your book and look forward to it being in my lending library! You are doing a great job.”

“At one time or another we all have a desire to know “the secret” to something. We long to know the best way to do certain things. However, no information could be more important and more life altering than understanding the secret to having a gentle, safe and satisfying pregnancy and birth experience. Gail J. Dahl, a mother, researchers, educator and advocate for safe and gentle childbirth, has done exactly that by providing a thorough guide for parents in her new book, “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets”. With valuable information from mothers, top childbirth experts and researchers, the book is packed full of resources and tips to help you feel informed and supported. Dahl also covers diverse topics – from exercise and sex in pregnancy to cesarean section. She shares information on how to manage the fear of labor, along with ways to avoid episiotomy and tears. Also covered is the issue of induction (when is it really necessary and when is it not?) and some excellent information on optimal fetal positioning to encourage a more comfortable, easier birth. Additional topics include how to breastfeed, childcare considerations, adjustment for siblings, and a partner’s role in childbirth and parenting. Further still, Dahl explores the secrets of baby language and what those cries really mean. This information is a dream in itself! The time to educate is before a woman is pregnant – before fears surrounding childbirth become present. I definitely agree. And reading “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets” is a positive step in that direction.”

“An inspiring, inspirational, and practical guide to pregnancy & birth! “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets” provides parents with practical and compassionate tools for a safe, normal, birthing experience, from conception through the magnificence of birth and bonding to the precious first days, months, and years of a baby’s life. Gail Dahl offers positive parenting suggestions that will help a parent get the most out of the incredibly empowering, ecstatic experience of creating, birthing, and parenting a precious baby.” This is the book grandparents wish we’d had!”

“Congrats on your new book! I have several copies of your Tips that I lend to all clients. Mimi Pothaar and I teach natural prenatal classes here in Canmore and would like to make your new book available for purchase to class participants.”

“I have your old book and many of my clients have loved it. It would be great to have your new book in my library as well so my clients can have a look and then purchase a copy.”

“This book, “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets” shoots straight from the hip and doesn’t couch it in a lot of euphemisms. It will wake people up to the fact that they should look in their community of who the birth experts are and engage a whole range of experts. It might give them ammunition if they are rushed into an induction, too. We want to dispel fear. Every woman and any age and in any condition deserves to have a simple birth. Not everyone can, but the majority can. We need information and choices in labor settings that don’t interrupt the actual physiology of birth.”

“I wanted to thank you again for the book, “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets”. I’ve read nearly all of it and it reinforces my birth plan and views on pregnancy etc. I think your book is very valuable and I’m glad someone finally wrote a book like that. I’ve been looking for good pregnancy books and found it very hard. I’ve had to do all my own research but now your book backs up what I had found. I will definitely recommend it and use it to show people who don’t understand my choices (very few people I know understand about gentle birth or why I would even try to go naturally). Thank you for writing this book :)”

“I read several books before I had my son and this was by far my favorite. I really wanted a natural childbirth and I credit my easy, beautiful labor in part to this book. I read the final chapters over and over again before giving birth and this gave me to confidence to go into my labor with excitement. It also encouraged me to write a birth plan to make sure I got exactly what I wanted and I was very glad I did. I never once thought of asking for drugs and was never offered them. I also progressed very quickly and I think one of the main reasons was because I included that I did not want to be checked or bothered until I was ready to give birth (as discussed in the book). It is a great read for any one who wants a drug free birth for their baby. It’s a great book. ”

“Love to contribute, love the excerpts from your book as well, will order a copy soon. In fact I might go to my library and order a copy to make sure they have one too. Can I publish one of your excerpts on my next newsletter (with a link to your site?) I’d love to do that my newsletter reaches nearly 4000 people all over the world. Good to meet a kindred heart.”

An inspiring, inspirational, and practical guide to pregnancy & birth! “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets” provides parents with practical and compassionate tools for a safe, normal, birthing experience, from conception through the magnificence of birth and bonding to the precious first days, months, and years of a baby’s life. Gail Dahl offers positive parenting suggestions that will help a parent get the most out of the incredibly empowering, ecstatic experience of creating, birthing, and parenting a precious baby. This is the book grandparents wish we’d had!

“I recently had an Open House for my business, Life Song Perinatal Services, and had a chance to show off my chosen class text, “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets” by Gail Dahl. This is a wonderful book; she included so many great articles, the kind I normally have clipped out or copied out of journals and saved in my teaching stack. Anyway, I love the book, and was thrilled to find it. I had this book out for all to see – it was a wonderful gathering of midwives, childbirth educators, doulas, past class participants and mommas – and the book had resounding reviews. I just really appreciate all Gail’s “straight-talk” re: epidural anesthesia and its mother baby effects, induction, cesarean. She also talks about Optimal Fetal Positioning, comfort measures, positions for birth, connecting with your baby while en utero, etc. She is a true Birthkeeper and believer of sacred, normal, physiological birth. It was beautifully written. In addition, I enjoyed all the “gray boxes” which captured some of the “best of” articles by so many birth gurus, including Michel Odent MD, Gloria Lemay,Penny Simkin, Jean Sutton, Sheila Kitzinger MD, Ina May Gaskin, Marsden Wagner MD, Dr. Thomas Verny, CIMS and WHO recommendations, to name a few. Wonderful! Thank you, Gail, for writing such a book, and for compiling this excellent resource. I look forward to sharing it with my students. It is just what I was looking for in a childbirth class book.”

“Learn how you can have a safe, gentle birth – “Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets” is packed with information that will guide you throughout your pregnancy and during your first days as a mom. Mothers, childbirth professionals and researchers share their experience and knowledge, giving you the insight you need to have a birth that is safe and rewarding for both you and your baby. Learn how to prepare for a positive childbirth experience. Read Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets to discover how you can have an easier, safer and gentler birth no matter where it takes place–at home, at a birth center or in the hospital. With information gleaned from mothers, top childbirth professionals, and researchers, this book explains what to expect month by month and what you can to do have a good birth experience. For example, you’ll learn that: You should eat and drink fluids at the beginning of labor and drink fluids throughout your labor. This is one of the best natural pain relievers for childbirth. You should remain active and change your position at least every twenty minutes during labor. The information in Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets is valuable for both soon-to-be and new mothers and serves as an important educational tool for men. Topics covered include natural fertility options, exercise during pregnancy, natural remedies for morning sickness, advantages of a doula and the benefits of professional labor support. You’ll also learn about new effective natural pain relief for labor, positive childbirth preparation, your partner’s role in childbirth and how you can overcome common labor challenges.”