DreamBirth

Starred review from November 18, 2013
The creative imagery expertise and medical background of School of Images founder Shainberg (Kabbalah and the Power of Dreaming) joins with the wisdom of seven compassionate birth professionals in this practical, comprehensive guidebook that offers 161 targeted visualizations to address almost every situation likely to arise during pregnancy and childbirth. Gentle exercises, designed to use the body-mind connection to focus intention, dissipate fear, explore possibilities, connect with the growing child, and manage pain, are chronologically arranged to take heavy planners all the way from conception to postpartum healing. Individual exercises stand well enough alone that a doula or partner could begin using them for the first time at the hospital, or to address problems, such as relieving fetal distress, rotating a mispositioned baby, or preparing the body for a Caesarean. Shainberg comes across as a caring and trustworthy guide, offering the reins to the mother to consciously direct her experience during labor and delivery. Exercises focused on communicating with the unborn child, for both parents, will help families feel bonded well before the birth. The affirming metaphysical framework contains a surprising amount of accurate medical information about each stage of pregnancy and its associated diagnostics and procedures, without the anxious tone common to many baby books. Shainberg gives the birthing woman comfort and control as she accesses her own wisdom.

February 1, 2014

This title is based on Shainberg's seven years of working with health-care professionals in developing imagery exercises that can be used by women during all stages of pregnancy. Comprised of four sections, the book moves from preconception to welcoming the new baby into the family. The imagery exercises within each chapter are usually introduced with explanations of corresponding situations. They are mostly less than a page in length, focusing the reader through imagery and breathing. Some of the exercises are for both parents or just the father. The epilog includes stories about situations in which the imagery exercises worked. Appendixes contain imagery exercises for dealing with certain circumstances such as surgical procedures, medical tests, and premature contractions and a list of all the exercises by chapter. While most of the book provides reassurance to the mother and encourages connection with the baby, the author acknowledges that the exercises' effectiveness is based more on circumstantial evidence than formal clinical trials. VERDICT This title is relevant to women who are interested in applying alternative methods of connecting with their babies. Libraries with consumer health connections should consider this title, especially if there is patron interest in complementary and alternative medicine.]--Rebecca Raszewski, Univ. of Illinois Lib., Chicago

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