One
of the reasons StorkNet was created was to encourage all women to
become educated about pregnancy and the birth process. Such knowledge
empowers women to pursue the kind of birth they truly want. Childbirth
and Pain Relief is an excellent resource and should be a part
of the education process for any pregnant woman interested in childbirth
pain relief.
This book is short,
easy to read and full of valuable information. It begins with the
changes that occur in the female body during pregnancy followed by
a chapter on Natural Childbirth. Dr. Datta discusses the evolution
of Natural Childbirth and even includes a brief section on waterbirth.
The remainder
of the book discusses "births assisted by anesthesia and pain medication."
While comprehensive, again, it's not overly technical. Included in
this section are the stages of labor, history of pain-relief medicines
in childbirth, and what's currently available - if needed. Dr. Datta
explains the types of anesthesia and analgesia, advantages and disadvantages
to each, how they're administered, side effects for mom and the effects,
if any, on the baby. The illustrations and charts are very helpful.
Anesthesia options for Cesarean delivery are also mentioned as well
as post-operative pain relief.
The book closes
with several questions and answers, recommended resources and a glossary.
Dr. Datta is a
strong supporter of informed decision-making. Nowhere is the pregnant
mother pressured or expected to choose pain medication. She is encouraged
to learn about the options and make her own decision.
Author
bio: Dr. Sanjay Datta is the immediate past Director of Obstetric
Anesthesia at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School
affiliated hospital, a position he held for eight years. His department
oversees and manages the delivery of more than ten thousand babies
per year, and is one of the busiest academic departments in the country.
Under Dr. Datta's leadership, it is also considered one of the best
in the world. In addition, Dr. Datta is currently a Full Professor
in Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School. He completed his preliminary
training in England, followed by an obstetric anesthesia fellowship
at McGill University in Montreal.
During his twenty-five-year medical career, Dr. Datta has also
served as a Visiting Professor at many of the world's leading medical
schools including the Mayo Clinic, Yale University School of Medicine,
Navy Hospital in Bethesda, Columbia University, McGill University
in Canada, University of Toronto, University of Basel (Switzerland),
and the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil).
He resides in Massachusetts with his wife and daughter.
Published by Next
Decade, Inc., 2001
Book review by Maribeth Doerr
Click here to visit our guest interview with Dr. Datta
To Purchase:
• Childbirth and Pain Relief at Amazon.com
• Childbirth and Pain Relief at Amazon UK
• Childbirth and Pain Relief at Amazon Canada
