The Best Birth Podcast - Episode 51 Jen and Sarah's Ultimate Guide: Best Birth Books and Memorable Quotes

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INTERVIEW OVERVIEW

Empowering Motherhood: Essential Resources and Insights This episode of the Best Birth Podcast explores a variety of recommended books and resources that provide insights and guidance on pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. The hosts discuss quotes and key messages from these books that emphasize the emotional, spiritual, and practical aspects of childbirth and parenting. Topics include the importance of emotional support, understanding pregnancy week by week, gentle parenting, body acceptance, and self-care postpartum.

TAKEAWAYS

The episode encourages listeners to seek knowledge and support from these resources to enhance their journey through motherhood.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to the Best Birth Podcast

00:38 Inspiring Quotes on Birth

01:00 Essential Books for Birth Preparation

01:45 Emotional and Spiritual Aspects of VBAC

02:28 Nourishing Your Body for Pregnancy

03:22 Gentle Birth and Parenting

04:49 Breastfeeding Support and Resources

05:59 The Role of Partners in Childbirth

09:49 Postpartum and Parenting Wisdom

12:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

RESOURCES

Birth Without Fear - January Harshe
"That’s the thing about birth, we don’t get an itinerary. We have to surrender and let go and it’s in that vulnerability we find the courage and strength we forgot we’ve had since our own birth. The power is already in you."

Birthing From Within - Pam England and Rob Horowitz
"Combine practical medical knowledge with the power of embodied practice, ritual, story, and artmaking for authentic preparation and healing."
"Build flexibility, resilience, and coping skills, so that you are less vulnerable to birth trauma."

The Labor Progress Handbook - Penny Simkin and Ruth Ancheta
“Movement is not only a comfort measure, but also a tool to enhance labor progress by using gravity and changing pelvic dimensions to facilitate the baby’s descent.”

The VBAC Companion by Diana Korte
“The journey to a VBAC is not just physical; it is deeply emotional and spiritual. It’s about healing, reclaiming, and moving forward with strength and courage.”

Female Fertility - Toni Weschler
"The strongest women become the strongest mothers before their children are even conceived."

PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track - Dr. felise gersh
"Healthy babies start with healthy mothers. Instead of rushing into fertility treatments, Dr. Gersh shows how you can use diet and lifestyle to get truly, deeply, wonderfully healthy and how this naturally restores female fertility."

The Mama Natural Week by Week Guide to Childbirth - Genevieve Howland
"Knowledge is power. Understanding what to expect each week of pregnancy can help you make informed decisions and reduce anxiety about the unknown."

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah J. Buckley
“Honoring the natural rhythms of birth and parenting allows us to connect more deeply with our instincts and with our children.”
“Gentle discipline is about guiding your child with kindness and respect, helping them to understand the impact of their actions without fear or punishment.”
“Set boundaries with love and consistency, helping your child to learn and grow in a safe and supportive environment.”"

Body Full of Stars: Female Rage and My Passage into Motherhood by Molly Caro May
Book Quote - "This is an ancient call from our first mothers to connect to our bodies—for our own good and for the good of humanity.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding - La Leche League International
"Find a support network before the baby arrives, so you have someone to turn to in those early days, even if everything is going smoothly. If there isn’t a La Leche League Group near you, connect with a group online.

Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding - Ina May
"Oxytocin has been called the 'hormone of calm, love, and healing' because of the kinds of feelings it causes in the mother and the interactions with her baby that often trigger its release."

The Attachment Pregnancy - Laurel Wilson and Tracy Wilson Peters
"As you meet your baby's needs for connection, pleasure, love, and affection, you literally change his or her brain chemistry and neurobiology, preparing your child for a lifetime of security, success, and psychological wellness."

Husband Coached Childbirth - Robert Bradley
"The husband is the coach, and his support and involvement can significantly enhance the childbirth experience. His role is to offer emotional support, encouragement, and physical assistance during labor and delivery."

A Good Birth, A Safe Birth - Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer
"While it is important to have a birth plan, it is equally important to remain flexible and open to the unexpected. Birth is a natural process, and sometimes it doesn’t go exactly as planned."

Babies Are Not Pizzas - Dr. Rebecca Dekker
"Knowledge is power, and in the context of childbirth, it can be the difference between a positive birth experience and one that leaves scars."

The Birth Partner -  Penny Simkin.
“Your belief in her strength and capabilities can help her believe in herself, even when she may feel overwhelmed.” “The way a woman is treated during birth has a lasting impact on her, both emotionally and psychologically. Your role is crucial in making this a positive experience.”

Your Baby and Child - Penelope Leach
"Your baby is not simply a child, but a whole person, with feelings and thoughts and a unique personality from the very start."

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth - Ina May
“...it’s good to remember that the vagina is designed to stretch, just as the penis is designed to grow.”

Baby Wise - Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam
Book Quote - “Teaching your baby to sleep independently is one of the most loving and beneficial gifts you can give.  When your baby sleeps well, the entire family benefits. A well-rested baby contributes to a more peaceful and balanced home life.”

Body Love by Kelly Leveque
"Your body is not an apology, it is a masterpiece."

Body Love Every Day - Kelly LeVeque
"In a world where you're constantly being told what you should look like, how you should eat, and who you should be, the most radical act is to love yourself unconditionally."

What to Expect When You're Expecting -Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
"“Caring for a premature baby can be emotionally taxing, and it's important for parents to seek support.
“Preemie development may follow a different timeline compared to full-term babies, and milestones may be reached later, but each step forward is a significant achievement.”"

Silent Souls Weeping by Jane Clayson Johnson
"Healing from depression is not a linear process; it is a journey with ups and downs, victories and setbacks. It requires patience, persistence, and, most importantly, self-compassion."

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way - Susan McCutcheon
"Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers — strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength."

What to Expect the First Year - Heidi Murkoff
"Every baby is different, and every parent is different. Trust your instincts and find what works best for you and your baby."

What to Expect the Second Year - Heidi Murkoff
"Toddlers are endlessly curious and constantly learning. Embrace their natural sense of wonder and be patient as they explore the world around them."

More Than a Body - Lexie Kite and Lindsay Kite
"Pregnancy is a powerful reminder that your body is an instrument for life, growth, and love. It is not merely an ornament to be judged by its appearance."

The First Forty Days - Han O
"Your body has just done the most incredible thing: it created and delivered a new human being. Now is the time to honor, nurture, and give back to yourself with the same dedication you gave to growing your baby."

The Everything Guide to Pregnancy after 35- Brette sember
Book Quote - Becoming a mother alters who you are forever and reconfigures your life permanently."

The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson
Quote from the Book - “The fourth trimester is not about getting back to normal; it’s about creating a new normal that honors the profound changes you’ve undergone.”

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Jen Banks

Jen is a dedicated educator with dual bachelor's degrees in elementary education and early childhood education. She transitioned from second-grade teaching to nurturing preschoolers at home. Jen is most passionate about supporting moms in maintaining identity throughout motherhood. She is a mother of three boys ages 6, 3, and 2. Jen is the host of the podcast A is for Adversity and her first book will be published in August - Let Yourself Bloom. She is an avid reader, baking enthusiast, and collector of inspirational quotes.

Sarah Ziroll

Sarah is a musician, birth coach, wife and mother, raising boys who are 7,4 and 2!  She loves making everything a bit more exciting with an over the top DIY project - like buying a house, then painting all the walls, doors and trim when the third baby is 4 months old.  Her life's mission is to infect others with happiness and radiate positivity.  Dedication, Diligence and Determination are three words she strives to live by! She is a yellow personality and a social butterfly!

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