Hey! Who's Having This Baby Anyway?

Hey! Who's Having This Baby Anyway?  is a spirited book which informs, educates, and empowers women on the journey through pregnancy and birth. Breck Hawk, RN & midwife, is an experienced birth practitioner, advocate, and educator, and she shares her wealth of information, research, tips, and resources in an accessible guide and workbook, that parents will find engaging.

The book’s subtitle “How to take charge and create a safe environment for your baby’s birth, including essential information about medications and interventions”, tells you that Breck Hawk is sharing the truth for the wellbeing of mothers and babies everywhere. Birthing wisdom from childbirth educators, doulas, and midwives all over the United States is sprinkled throughout the book, and culminates in a whole chapter of its own.

This is an excellent book to give to any expecting mother, young women, or families considering having a baby in the future. Breck Hawk clearly discusses the options available for pregnancy and birth while providing ample space for mothers to process and take notes regarding what kind of choices they want for their healthcare. The questions in the workbook take mothers step-by-step through the choices available for mothers and babies today.

The first thing the reader notices about “Hey! Who’s Having This Baby Anyway?” is the bright cover, with a photo of a joyful, ecstatic pregnant woman. The mother is resting both hands on her full belly, expressing a gesture of intimate connection to the baby in her womb, while tossing her head back with a gigantic smile. She appears to be in touch with her inner power and her baby’s spirit, and filled with the bliss of expectant motherhood. This is a very positive image to share with expecting mothers.

The very first chapter in the book contains “Home and Hospital Patient Bills of Rights” and “Homebirth Bill of Responsibilities”; this is key information for empowering mothers to take charge of their birth for the integrity of their baby’s health. There is a chapter on “Hiring the Help”, which includes what to ask your prospective doctor, midwife, and doula, as well as differentiating between the different types of caregivers and the options of support and care that they provide.

There are also sections on medications in labor, herbs, reflexology, hypnobirthing, yoga, VBAC’s, homebirth, waterbirth, birth plans, breastfeeding, and resources. The waterbirth chapter is written by guest author Barbara Harper, founder of Waterbirth International. In addition, the there is a chapter devoted to the Coalition for Improving Maternity Service (CIMS) principles for Mother-Friendly and Baby-Friendly childbirth, including what to ask your provider to ascertain whether they have a mother-friendly practice.

Breck Hawk has written a wonderful book which compiles key information mothers need to make empowered choices in childbirth. Beginning with the forward, written by Marsden Wagner, MD, and throughout the comprehensive, clear, and holistic text, this book advocates for mother and baby’s wellbeing. An empowered and educated mother will make conscious choices for the optimal healthcare of herself and her baby, and Breck Hawk is helping to make it a little bit easier for mothers to voice their power. This is sure to be a valuable resource for any childbirth lending library or on a pregnant woman’s bedside table.