Ina May's Guide of Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Written by midwifery legend Ina May Gaskin, this book functions as two books in one—a compilation of successful birth stories designed to empower women, and a how-to manual for achieving the best possible pregnancy outcome for both mother and baby. While the book approaches childbirth with the premise that most women can and should seek a birth experience that offers the least possible number of medical interventions, it also includes a chapter on complications in pregnancy requiring the expertise of an obstetrician. The chapter on choosing a caregiver is helpful, and the chapter detailing the rationale behind ACOG’s recent revision of its VBAC recommendations is especially insightful.