This book has a lot of good ideas and good points, but a caution to first-time moms: despite being a birth attendant herself, the author ended up with a c-section with her first child, and I felt that the whole book had the feel of 'here is a wonderful, beautiful journey...and it has a high probability of ending in surgery.' I know you can't discount all the information because of this, but I also think you have to go into natural childbirth 100% sure that is what you want, that it is safe and healthy and the best option. The author also admits that she almost didn't include the chapter on home birth...which is such an important yet overlooked option. If you already have had vaginal birth(s) then I would definitely recommend this book! It's just hard for first-timers when the book plays into that fear of whether your body can actually successfully birth a baby or not.