HW 39

Gaskin, Ina May. Ina May's Guide To Childbirth. New York: Bantam Dell, 2003. Print.


One brief factor I thought was interesting in the book was the comparison of real life birth and birth shown in the media. High risk births are more striking to the audiences opposed to a gradual realistic birth. By showing only the pain and hard labor, the media makes us focus more on certain aspects instead of the process as a whole. I believe this was never covered in the film, though clips from movies were used, the two were never compared.
I also found the depth of how deep they explain the Sphincter Law was quite different since there was a whole chapter written on it. Though concepts similar to it are mentioned in the film, it is not broken down to benefit the audiences understanding of the material. I believe it should be viewed with more significance since many of the core errors in modern day births seem to have a direct connection to the Sphincter Laws.

The majority of the second hundred pages of the book covers the technical aspects of giving birth. It is full of very vital information that can assist a mother through the birthing process. It is almost like a tips and tricks handbook to understanding and experiencing the true natural beauty of giving birth. I believe the main insight this portion of the book is trying to convey is letting women know that by really understanding it, there is not much to worry about. As a whole, I find the insight the book tries to communicate is very positive and useful for people undergoing a pregnancy. Due to mass bias towards birth is shown through pain and agony in the media it has brainwashed us from viewing it from an alternative perspective, a realistic book with a positive tone can be used to calm anxiety and mental instability.

1.Sphincter Law pg 167-182
2. Sexual Intercourse while birth is not harmful pg 215
3. Unprofessional doctors pg 157
4. Media's influence on birth pg 164
5. Moderating drug use during labor pg 165