Book Review: "Natural Hospital Birth 2nd Edition: The Best of Both Worlds" by Cynthia Gabriel

TLDR:: Good resource for folks interested in having a "natural birth" in a hospital setting, as well as for those uncertain about their preferred birth setting. Meant to be read cover-to-cover, rather than used as a reference book. Offers a positive lens of birthing in a hospital.

I thought this book was overall a fantastic resource for folks who know they will be, or are considering, birthing in a hospital. Natural Hospital Birth covers a comprehensive list of topics and offers lots of specific information and tips about birthing in a hospital setting. The style and set up of this book would have me suggest that folks read it cover to cover, rather than use it as more of a quick reference guide. Each chapter contains stories, tips, and thoughtful questions that might easily get skimmed over if someone were using this book to look for specific information. This type of cover-to-cover read might not be as appealing to some folks.

I thought Cynthia Gabriel did a lovely job offering realistic, useable information, in a way that was not fear-inducing or inflammatory. This book utilizes case study stories to provide examples of how various labors and births might proceed. I find the case studies to be very relatable and can help to frame the hospital labor/birthing options in a more realistic way, using “real life” examples. Birthing in a hospital is not everybody’s choice; sometimes it is the only option, for a variety of reasons. Many folks fall within this realm of wanting or needing to birth in a hospital, but still wanting to explore their options within that setting. This book frames hospital birth in a very positive light, while aiming to help folks have the most natural birth possible, based on each individual’s particular wants and needs. I think this is such an important demographic of people that Natural Hospital Birth can help support.

One part that I especially thought useful was the tip about utilizing the phrase “We/I’d like to wait an hour”, to respectfully push back on a provider and buy folks some more time to consider their options. This is a super simple one to practice, and it can be so important in regard to advocating for oneself. Another part that I particularly thought was informative and applicable was the chapter on “Extra Support for Special Circumstances”. It walked through some circumstances, such as twins, vbacs, and birth for survivors of trauma, and it gave suggestions of how to personalize the experience to fit folks’ needs in these instances and set themselves up for a successful natural birth.

This book does a great job of walking through all aspects of labor and birth when the goal is a “natural” birth in a hospital. It does not cover much of pregnancy, infant feeding and care, or postpartum healing, although it also does not claim to. This book is solely about birthing in a hospital, primarily focusing on the birthing person. It would surely be helpful for a partner to read as well, and there are a few specific bits that are great tips for partners, like suggestions of supportive phrases to say to a laboring person. But generally, this book has a pretty narrow focus, which could be a pro or a con depending on who is considering. Overall, I would likely recommend this book for a person who is specifically interested in having a “natural” birth in a hospital.