Designed to help women develop all their bodily resources to deal with the instinctive processes of labor and childbirth, this guide is also intended for midwives, partners, teachers, and others involved in making the experience a more active one for the mother. Contains a wealth of information for pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. 100 illustrations; 100 photographs.

Janet Balaskas led a movement of women who refused to give birth lying down. She has been teaching women about "active birth ever since. In this updated and Americanized guide, Balaskas explains how to prepare for and experience a truly natural birth. She leads the pregnant woman through yoga-based stretching exercises and massage practice, and describes the stages of labor and comfortable positions for each, at home or in a hospital. Balaskas has also included a chapter on water birth as well as postpartum exercises.