This reading list has come together thanks to our
wonderful members... if you would like to contribute something to
this list please contact Clodia.
Women's bodies, health and fertility...
Natural
Fertility, by Francesca Naish (1991)
This book contains everything you ever wanted to
know about fertility - how to have children - how to avoid having
children - naturallly and without drugs. Recommendation: Clodia
Porteous.
The
Billings Method, by Dr Evelyn Billings
Since it was first published in 1980, this classic
work has helped millions of women around the world to achieve healthy,
natural fertility control, and also to turn into the rhythms of their
bodies. The Billings Method can be as effective as the Pill, but has
no harmful side effects. Observing the signals of fertility described
by Dr Billings, women can avoid or achieve pregnancy. This is a clear
guide for women whose cycles are regular or irregular, who are coming
off the Pill, breastfeeding a baby or approaching the menopause. Whatever
her views on contraception, this is knowledge of her body that every
woman ought to have. Recommendation: Karen Palmer.
Pre-conception care...
The Natural Way to Better Babies, by Francesca Naish and
Jeanette Roberts (1996)
Preconception health care, as outlined in this
book, can help prevent miscarriage, premature and stillbirths, congenital
abnormalities and has a better than 80% success rarte in the treatment
of infertility. This complete, easy-to-follow guide to preconception
health for both prospective parents is written by naturopath, herbalist,
and hypnotherapist Francesca Naish, who runs a clinic dedicated to
helping people conceive happy, healthy babies naturally, along with
Janette Roberts, who is a pharmacist and clinical nutritionist specialising
in preconception health care. Recommendation: Clodia Porteous.
Pregnancy...
The
Natural Way to a Better Pregnancy, by Francesca Naish and
Jeanette Roberts (1999)
In today's society pregnancy is often regarded
as a medical rather than a natural event. The Natural Way to a Better
Pregnancy restores the natural order by reaffirming pregnancy as a
normal,healthy part of life to be enjoyed,not endured. The food you
eat the lifestyle you lead and the enviromnent you live in can have
a profound effect on the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing
of your baby. In first practical guide to a natural pregnancy,two
internationally recognised Australian experts show you how to give
your baby the best possible start in life. Recommendation: Clodia
Porteous.
Homebirth & natural birth...
Better
Birth, by Lareen Newman and Heather Hancock (2006)
This new book by Australian authors contains the
sort of information that woman-centred midwives and consumer advocates
seek to share with women. It is written primarily as a self-help book
for women and explains the midwifery and obstetric views of birth,
how the choice of care provider and birthplace can influence the birth
experience, and how the reader can decide which choices will match
their preferences. The book highlights the benefits of woman-centred
care and continuity of carer. A section of twelve birth stories from
Australia and Europe illustrates the impact of different birth options.
The book also addresses issues of fear, pain and confidence, and ways
to avoid common interventions, and it explodes common myths about
birth by providing evidence from the medical literature. Lareen Newman
is a mother of three and a PhD researcher at the University of Adelaide.
Heather Hancock is a mother and midwife, a former senior lecturer
in midwifery at the University of South Australia, and currently the
Homebirth Project Officer for the Northern Territory Government.
The Natural Way to a Better Birth and Bonding, by Francesca
Naish and Jeanette Roberts (2000)
Giving birth is an empowering and transformative
life event, and when the birth and bonding between mother and baby
unfolds naturally the positive effects for both are immeasurable.
Better birth and bonding is simply birth and bonding as nature intended
them to be. The Natural Way to Better Birth and Bonding is a treasure
trove of practical information to help you achieve the kind of birth
you want, and beyond. Recommendation: Clodia Porteous.
Rediscovering Birth , by Sheila Kitzinger
Birthing through the ages and in different cultures.
Recommendation: Tanya Bingham.
Spiritual Midwifery, by Ina May Gaskin
This popular classic should be in every midwife's
library, and read by pregnant women. The chapters are titled: Amazing
birth tales; To the parents; Instructions to midwives and Appendices.
It's a book full of information - birth stories, sharing of midwifery
experiences and useful appendices. Recommendation: Robyn Gibbons.
Birthing From Within, by Pam England and Rob Horowitz
(1998)
An extra-ordinary guide to childbirth preparation.
England provides us with a challenging and empowering book: there's
lots of practical advice for first-time pregnancies including positive
discussion on the benefits or otherwise of birth plans and support
people. England makes good use of art therapy and creative visualisation.
The book is also full of photographs and fascinating art work and
illustrations. Recommendation: Jo Baulderstone and Dani Caputo.
Breech Birth - Woman Wise, by Maggie Banks
An experienced homebirth midwife provides information
on the incidence of breech presentation, reasons for it, diagnosing,
common concerns, encouraging a breech baby to turn, considerations
for labour and birth, birth positions, giving birth and post-birth
issues. The book is printed on art paper and has excellent photographs
and illustrations. Recommendation: Kathy Reynolds.
A guide to effective care in pregnancy and childbirth,
by Enkin, M. et al (2000)
Based on systematic reviews of the research literature,
the book summarises the most authoritative evidence available on the
effects of care practices carried out during pregnancy, childbirth
and after the baby is born. Written in a clear and readily accessible
manner, "A Guide to Effective Care.." will be invaluable
to anyone involved in the care of pregnant women and to expectant
parents themselves. The book concludes with tables listing practices
which are clearly beneficial, those which appear to be promising,
those of unknown effectiveness, and those likely to be ineffective
or harmful. Recommendation: Kathy Reynolds.
Waterbirth
Handbook, by Roger Lichy & Eileen Herzberg
Recommendation: Kathy Reynolds.
New
Active Birth, by Janet Balaskas (1992)
In an active birth a mother moves about freely,
finds comfortable positions for labour and delivery and seldom needs
drugs or obstetrical interventions. In Active BirthJanet Balaskas
teaches mothers to develop all of their bodily resources for giving
birth, to follow their own instincts, and to take full control of
the childbirth experience. Recommendation: Kathy Reynolds.
Sacred
Birthing: Birthing a new humanity, by Sunni Karl (2003)
Recommendation: Alice Fisher
Gentle
Birth, Gentle Mothering, by Dr Sarah J Buckley.
Recommendation: Racquel Austin-Abdullah.
Birth education for children...
Hello
Baby , by Jenni Overend & Julie Vivas (1999)
A celebration of the birth of a baby at home, told
with warmth, honesty and joy. Recommendation: Tanya Bingham &
Lareen Newman.
My
Brother Jimmy Jazz, by Chrissy Butler (2006)
Chrissy writes from the perspective of a young
girl about the beautiful home birth of her brother Jimi Jazz. A wonderful
tale for children and the whole family, that embraces a natural, active
home birth, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, use of cloth nappies, baby
moon and siblings at birth. Recommendation: Kathy Reynolds &
Clodia Porteous.
Breastfeeding...
The
Natural Way to Better Breastfeeding , by Francesca Naish
and Jeanette Roberts (2002)
All the answers to successful breastfeeding using
tried-and-true natural methods, including: Where it all begins - trusting
your maternal instinct; Why 'breast is best' for baby and for you;
Better breastfeeding practices, including successful attachment and
positioning; How to improve your milk supply; Lifestyle, exercise
and nutition tips for better breastfeeding; Natural remedies for common
problems: cracked nipples, mastitis, blocked ducts, colic, reflux,
food allergies, biting; To wean or not to wean; Contraception during
breastfeeding; an invaluable resource list, and much, much more. Recommendation:
Clodia Porteous.
Parenting...
Raising
Babies, by Steve Biddulph (2006)
The book builds on Steve's early concerns about
the deficiencies of group care even in quality childcare and nursery
settings, and hundreds of conversations with carers, directors, parents
and other professionals, visits to facilities; as well as a laypersons
guide to the avalanche of recent research showing damaged social development
in children who enter nursery "too much, too early, too long".
It gives an easy to read and illuminating look into new brain research
that shows what happens between parent and infant in a loving relationship,
that is itself worthwhile for any parent to read. Recommendation:
Dani Caputo.
Buddhism
for Mothers, by Sarah Napthali
Parenthood can be a time of great inner turmoil
for a woman yet parenting books invariably focus on nurturing children
rather than the mothers who struggle to raise them. This book is different.
It is a book for mothers. Buddhism for Mothers explores the potential
to be with your children in the all-important present moment; to gain
the most joy out of being with them. How can this be done calmly and
with a minimum of anger, worry and negative thinking? How can mothers
negotiate the changed conditions of their relationships with partners,
family and even with friends? Using Buddhist practices, Sarah Napthali
offers ways of coping with the day-to-day challenges of motherhood.
Ways that also allow space for the deeper reflections about who we
are and what makes us happy. By acknowledging the sorrows as well
as the joys of mothering Buddhism for Mothers can help you shift your
perspective so that your mind actually helps you through your day
rather than dragging you down. This is Buddhism at its most accessible,
applied to the daily realities of ordinary parents. Even if exploring
Buddhism at this busy stage of your life is not where you thought
you'd be, it's well worthwhile reading this book. It can make a difference.
Recommendation: Dani Caputo.
Little
Bundle, by Jodie Benveniste (2006)
Here at Little Bundle we won’t give you practical
pregnancy and babycare information and advice. Instead, we offer you
emotional support and reassurance. We recognize that being a parent
is an emotional rollercoaster ride. Babies bring joy and amazement,
but they can also bring guilt, worry and frustration. Little Bundle:
Comfort and inspiration for new parents – the book and the website
- are about supporting and reassuring you.
Parenting By Heart , by Pinky McKay
As soon as you have a baby (or announce that you
are 'expecting'), suddenly it seems as though everyone is an expert.
You can put yourselves in the hands of these "experts",
or you can put yourself in charge. In the book, Parenting by Heart,
Pinky McKay encourages parents to trust their own instincts, and their
connection with their child. Recommendation: Clodia Porteous.
Parenting for a Peaceful World , by Robin Grille
This book is absolutely fascinating reading and backed up by a lot of references – thoroughly recommended.
Recommendation: Kate Frawley.
Diet & nutrition...
Changing
Habits, Changing Lives, by Cyndi O'Meara (2007)
Medical Research has consistently shown that many
lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes
are directly caused by an engineered and manipulated food supply focused
on profit instead of health. What is alarming is that most people
don’t even know they’re consuming these foods. This new
2007 updated edition of Changing Habits Changing Lives is an education
about food and it shows you step by step habit by habit how to break
out of the bad habits of dieting and start eating and living a healthy,
productive and happy life. New chapters include topics on; soy - health
or hazard, glycemic index made easy, balancing proteins and carbohydrates,
food synchronicity, decreasing chemical calories, sugar for health,
organic - what's the point, microwaves to use or not to use, food-mood
connection, quality vs. quantity and many more. Recommendation:
Simon & Clodia Porteous.
Changing
Habits, Changing Lives Cookbook, by Cyndi O'meara
This cookbook is packed with more information on
healthy food. Cyndi shows how to put her fresh approach into daily
action with a fantastic collection of recipes that draw on delicious
ingredients including whole foods and organic produce. This invaluable
guide provides lots of information and tips on getting organised in
the kitchen and buying the right ingredients. You’ll learn how
to substitute ingredients when you don’t have exactly what you
need in the cupboard. Recommendation: Simon & Clodia Porteous.
Wild
Morsels, by Angela Stafford
Wild Morsels is a diverse collection of vegan recipes
influenced by cuisines from all over the world. The book is 199 pages
long and includes over 130 recipes, as well as various vegan and vegetarian
cooking tips & helpful hints for moving over to a healthier lifestyle.
Recipes range from things as simple as hommous to a complete Indian
or Mexican feast! Learn how to make delicious cakes, biscuits and
pancakes without eggs and dairy and discover how delicious the severly
underrated lentil can be! Recommendation: Heidi Robbins &
Clodia Porteous.
Natural health care options...
Well
Adjusted Babies, by Dr Jennifer Barham-Floreani
Well Adjusted Babies is a unique guide for holistic
parenting from pregnancy through to early childhood. Focussing on
health-related issues and what Dr Jennifer Barham-Floreani describes
as "the variables that may affect your child's inherent potential".
Astounded by the lack of information on chiropractic, particularly
in books relating to parenting, Dr Jen (as many colleagues and clients
know her) wrote this book for parents, chiropractic patients and fellow
practitioners. "Well Adjusted Babies explains the risks associated
with some of the more common aspects of modern living such as particular
foods, drugs and household toxins, as well as the medical interventions
that tend to feature commonly in orthodox models of pregnancy and
birthing. Jennifer also discusses issues surrounding vaccination,
breastfeeding and nutrition, encouraging the reader to ensure that
the decisions that they make are ones that sit comfortably with their
own beliefs and ethos." MERYL DOREY (EDITOR, INFORMED VOICE MAGAZINE)
Recommendation: Simon Porteous.
Vaccination...
Investigate
Before You Vaccinate, AVN Booklet.
Nobody wants their child to suffer from disease
or illness, but are vaccines the answer? Most literature about vaccination
promotes the belief that the benefits of vaccines outweigh any potential
risks. This booklet contains information that questions both the effectivness
and safety of vaccines. Reccomendation: Clodia Porteous.
Want to add something to our book
list??
Please contact Clodia
with your suggestions!!
~
Want to donate books to our library??
Please contact Kathryn.
