Babies are Not Pizzas
Steph Nickel reviews “Babies are Not Pizzas” by Rebecca Dekker. Steph also reveals that she is a doula with a deep interest in childbirth.
Babies And Doulas
Today’s review is a little different.
When I was working as a personal trainer, I learned about doulas. I had never even heard the word up until that point.
I had considered becoming a midwife, but that would take several years.
But becoming a doula? I did some research and found out I could get certified by taking a course online and reading a variety of books.
Buy more books? I can do that.
Doulas
Labour doulas provide resources, information, and comfort measures for birthing moms and her partner.
Doulas attend both hospital and home births. Although I currently don’t attend many births, I do keep up my certification.
Plus, when I get talking about what birth can be like and am in the room when a new life is born, I get fired up.
Evidence Based Birth
When I came across Evidence Based Birth online, I was quick to sign up for their professional membership. And when they held a day-long event only two hours from where I live, I signed up immediately.
EBB’s founder, Rebecca Dekker, is a nurse, has her PhD, and has worked as a medical researcher. Still, the event was so much more than dry and academic.
Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered
And when I recently learned that Rebecca had written her first book, Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered, I ordered it right away. And when I received the free audio version of the book, I began listening immediately. I got through the book in just a couple of days.
The book has made such a powerful impression on me that I ordered the paperback. I already have the ebook on my Kindle. I am seriously considering purchasing a second copy of the paperback, so I can lend it out—especially to expectant family, friends, and clients.
This is the description that appears on Amazon.
“One in three births is traumatic. It doesn’t have to be that way. Rebecca planned to give birth at the hospital affiliated with her university, where she was an award-winning nurse researcher finishing her doctoral degree. But hospital practices and policies that were more than twenty years out of date left her with complications that seemed preventable. Worst for Rebecca, her healthy baby was whisked off to a nursery right away. She spent the first few hours after birth begging to see her own baby! A few years later and pregnant again, Rebecca put her research skills to work and examined the hard evidence on what went wrong with her first childbirth experience. She discovered shocking truths that not only impact millions of families every year, but would change the entire course of her life. Embark on a journey with Rebecca as she exposes the stark realities of institutional care during childbirth and reveals inspirational solutions for parents and professionals alike.”
A Compelling Statement
One of the most compelling statements the author makes is in response to the question “How can we bring about the changes we want to see in the birthing community?”
Political action?
A letter-writing campaign?
Boycotting hospitals and other birthing facilities that don’t treat families with respect and dignity?
No! Those weren’t her suggestions.
Her response? Love.
She reminded readers that “hurt people hurt people.”
Treating Others With Respect
As we treat others with the respect we want them to show us, they will be more inclined to listen to what we have to say and not merely label us troublemakers.
Sounds a lot like how the Lord commands us to treat one another. Doesn’t it?
I could say so much more about this book, but I’ll leave wrap up for today.
If you’re not a medical professional or an expectant parent, you may not think this book is for you.
But the birth experience affects all of us, directly or indirectly.
Babies are Not Pizzas is a Quick Read
Babies are Not Pizzas is a quick read, but it’s jam-packed with information of importance to every one of us. I urge you to read it. You may be surprised at how deeply you are affected by Rebecca’s story, the stories of others, and the evidence that the author has woven in amongst the stories.
People like Rebecca and others, including myself, want birth to be a better experience for each generation that follows. And whether we are medical professionals with our PhD or not, we can make a difference.
See what I mean about being passionate when it comes to birth?
Happy reading!
What books have you read recently? Tell us about what you are enjoying. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Steph Nickel
Steph Beth Nickel is eclectically interested and eclectically involved. In all she does, Steph seeks to nurture and inspire. She is currently working on the first book in a nonfiction series. Nurture and Inspire LOVE is a compilation of the first devotionals she wrote for HopeStreamRadio.
Steph is a freelance writer and editor. She is the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’ award-winning memoir, Living Beyond My Circumstances, published by Castle Quay Books. Deb and Steph are working on a follow-up book.
You can visit her website, stephbethnickel.com, to learn more about her.
Visit Steph’s contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.
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