Transformed by Birth: Cultivating Openness, Resilience, and Strength for

My first pregnancy was 5 years ago and my baby was breech, which necessitated a belly birth. I was absolutely fine with this and some how assumed that baby number two would also be breech. He wasn’t. I got nervous. Can I do this? A friend of mine recommended this book and I got both the audio book and the paperback (for myself and my husband). I absolutely love this book. I went into this birth feeling brave while also not attached to any outcome. I managed to birth my 9.7 lbs baby and felt empowered and in charge.

Such a great book. Love the philosophical and practical parts but this is not a technical birth book. It's more reflective. Love the anthropological perspective entwined throughout.

I have worked with expectant families teaching classes for over 20 years. This book is my #1 recommendation for expectant and newly postpartum families. Britta masterfully uses story telling and myth, woven together with insights into our cultural context, as well as facts and statistics about birth and common procedures, to help people face the whole picture of what the transition into parenthood involves. My favorite parts of the book are: *in the opening chapters she presents 8 themes that are present in our culture and deeply impact our thoughts, feelings and behaviors around birth - many times without our even realizing it. Pointing these out and inviting the reader to look for them in their own experience, is in my opinion one of the most impactful parts of the book, and in fact, though I am well past the years of new parenthood myself, I still am often oriented by recognizing when one of these themes is at play in my life or decision making. *The other part of this book that I deeply appreciate is the depth, practicality & compassion with which she addresses the postpartum experience. It is common for new parents to focus so much on the birth itself that they feel lost and overwhelmed in the early days of parenting when their relationships with their own selves and each other has really shifted. Britta offers insight for reconnecting, with yourself as a new parent and with your partner, that are insightful, practical, and most importantly...doable. This book is not an overwhelming list of "must do's to have the guaranteed perfect birth", it is a visit with a wise mentor who gently offers practical care & insight for those moving through a major life transition.

Highly recommend this book to all doulas, midwives, birthing people and anyone with an interest in birth. I found it thought-provoking with a different ‘voice’ to the other birthing books I have read. A great book.

I am so grateful to Britta Bushnell for this amazing book! As a mother of 3 and owner of Birth With Love Prenatal Education, this book absolutely exceeded my expectations. I would highly recommend this book to those who are pregnant and are looking to expand their awareness of birth and postpartum. This book also encourages you to go deep and explore the incredible transformation that is upon you.