Book Review

Return to Empowering Women Also by Andrea The Midwife Companion Your Childbirth Education Classes Preparing for Birth: Mothers Preparing for Birth: Fathers

Empowering Women

Teaching Active Birth

Andrea Robertson

I have just read a book that has revolutionized my thinking on childbirth education. I hope you get a chance to read it ...

Empowering Women: Teaching Active Birth
by Andrea Robertson
ACE Graphics, 1994

For years I have longed for a book on childbirth education that digs deeper. A cutting edge type of book that would propel us out of the "relax and breathe" methodology of the 70's and 80's. A book that puts substance to the act of empowering women. Andrea Robertson of ACE Graphics has given birth to such a book --- Empowering Women: Teaching Active Birth. As an obviously gifted educator, Robertson provides us with history, expression of the need for change, theory basics, and a wealth of practical skill suggestions. It is an absolute "must read" for every childbirth educator, new and old.

In the past, we have taught women what to expect during labor, how to breathe, how to push, what labor will feel like, and how to avoid certain adversities. We have based the outcome of our teaching abilities on how "well" she performed these taught-behaviors. Robertson gently challenges this concept by laying foundations that will help us to truly empower women and their families. She suggests that we have another agenda in addition to our responsibilities of meeting our own aims and objectives: assisting our clients to achieve their desired outcomes for birth and parenting. According to the author, this is the primary purpose of our work, and this is where we can measure our success.

Using this agenda as a basis, she guides us through determining what our clients need and want, and from there, gives guidelines on setting up aims and objectives for our classes. Throughout the book you will be delighted to find a treasure chest of suggestions for experiential teaching activities, in addition to an excellent segment on the theory of adult learning styles.

If you are in the training stages for childbirth education, this book is a foundational necessity for your bookshelf. If you have taught classes for any length of time, this book is a transforming necessity for you and your classes. It changed my classes, and I hope it does yours too..

ACE Graphics is based out of Australia, but this book can be purchased through the ICEA Bookstore by calling 1-800-624-4934

Karen Pestlin CCE
ALACE Director of Teacher Training

[After your workshop at the MANA Conference] I ordered Empowering Women, and received it some weeks ago. I have incorporated your ideas into my classes and it is going well. I taught your class on he pelvis two weeks ago and I was terrified that no-one would "get it" (my husband didn't. However, all went well and they figured it out without me having to give them the answer. It was a great class and I am looking forward to getting as smooth at it as you are.

Your book and ideas are fresh and inspiring and although I have read many books on CB education, your books seemed to turn on the light for me. Your honesty about what women really need to be "taught" is certainly refreshing, if not revolutionary, even in midwifery circles.

This quarter's ALACE Special Delivery contained a glowing review about Empowering Women, I was happy to see. I will certainly be singing its praises.

I wish you al the best and send you my sincerest thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Very truly yours,

Wendy Hadmonds
Email dated 27 December 98