Lending Library
All books and videos are available for clients and friends to borrow
Pregnancy and Childbirth
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
A very comprehensive and informative book that includes excellent photos and week-by-week pregnancy information
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
A fabulous book by an amazing midwife which includes many contemporary birth stories as well as general information about birth in many settings (home, hospital, and birth centers).
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
A fantastic resource for partners and anyone else who will be attending your birth on how best to support you.
The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition, and Other Holistic Choices by Aviva Jill Romm, MD
Very easy to read advice from a very trusted source. Dr. Romm is a home birth midwife and herbalist in addition to being a medical doctor.
Birthing From Within by Pam England
Many exercises and stories about how to prepare yourself for childbirth.
Mindful Birthing by Nancy Bardacke, CNM
This book, although not a substitute for a Mindfulness Meditation for Childbirth/Parenting class, explains the premise of mindfulness meditation and how to apply the principles to birthing. It’s great to read and may pique your interest in being mindfully aware.
The Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy and Birth by Kim Toevs and Stephanie Brill
A very comprehensive book written by a midwife, includes information about fertility, IUI, parenting, etc.
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
A classic which includes many birth stories as well as information.
Heart and Hands by Elizabeth Davis
A midwifery textbook that is accessible for anyone to read and enjoy.
It’s My Body, My Baby, My Birth – DVD by local midwife Maria Iorillo
An excellent film about natural childbirth in various settings: home or hospital.
Birth Day – DVD
A beautiful birth video that takes place in the most gorgeous tub!
Postpartum/Parenting/Breastfeeding
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche Leauge
The La Leche League’s book on breastfeeding, has some tips but is not good for complicated situations, it’s more like a breastfeeding cheerleader!
Baby-Led Breastfeeding: The Mother Baby Dance DVD
A really beautiful DVD that shows babies crawling to the breast and latching. I recommend that every family watch this!
Becoming the Parent You Want To Be: A Sourcebook of Strategies for the First Five Years: By Laura Davis and Janis Keyser
A Popular book that doesn’t present one particular approach to parenting but lots of ideas, strategies and information about children’s development.
Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods and helping your baby grow up a Happy and Confident Eater by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett
This is weaning in the British sense of introducing foods, not in the American sense of tapering off of breastfeeding. The theory is to give infants foods in their whole form as opposed to in purees.
The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
A more gentle approach to ‘sleep training’
Women’s Wisdom/Empowerment
Women’s Sexual Passages: Finding Pleasure and Intimacy at Every Stage of Life by Elizabeth Davis
Includes a section about sexuality in pregnancy and the postpartum period
The Circle of Life: 13 Archetypes for Every Woman by Elizabeth Davis
An accessible look at women’s lived experiences and spirituality throughout life
Natural Health
The Complete Women’s Herbal by Anne McIntyre
“A manual of healing herbs and nutrition for personal well-being and family care”