Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean (VBAC), by Nancy Wainer Cohen   [Paperback 1983]

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Rave Reviews (5)*

• 1) A Must Read For EVERY Pregnant Woman - Not For VBAC's Only

  by Maria Lynch on March 01 2000
    20+ helpful votes

  Silent Knife has so much to offer every pregnant woman not only those wanting VBAC. It contains a lot of information that is useful to every pregnant woman especially first time mothers. Reading this book will give you the confidence to insist and instill in your OB that you know what is best and what is not for you and your baby. From conception to birth, it will help you to prioritize what is important to you and your birth experience - from having siblings present at the birth to refusing "routine" procedures such as no food or drink during labor and mandatory IV's. It's a great wake up call to all women that they have the right to choose the birth they want. Don't let the title fool you. It's not for VBACs only.

• 2) This book might save your (or your baby's) life!

  by Anonymous on January 02 2003
    20+ helpful votes

  In my ever-so humble opinion, this is the best book available on the safety of Cesarean surgery (C/s) versus Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). It's absolutely chock-full of statistics, painful and victorious anecdotes, witty analogies and wise suggestions for having a better birth through VBAC. It is my bible as I plan a Home Birth After Cesarean (HBAC) with a Direct-Entry Midwife (DEM). It's nearly impossible to find a good book about VBAC that does not employ scare tactics, worship obstetrics or at the very least denounce HBAC as an unsafe option for most women (Believe me, I know- I've read them all!) This book has been extremely useful in helping me to fully explore & express my anger & sadness over my iatrogenic (physician-caused) C/s. It can be a difficult read for C/s survivors, especially those of us who may feel that our surgeries were unnecessary or could have been prevented, but it is well worth the emotional upheaval to get through this book and come out on the other side better informed about the reality of C/s than most OBs. I highly recommend this book to anyone involved in birthing- but especially to pregnant women hoping to avoid a C/s & those who are considering an elective C/s or elective repeat C/s.

• 3) A Necessity for Birthing Women and the People Who Love Them

  by Anonymous on May 17 2003
    20+ helpful votes

  I can see why this book has become the VBAC bible. The authors are brimming with passion and information. Yes, they are angry... and they have every right to be! They meticulously go over studies and statistics; they tell their own stories and the stories of other women who have undergone cesarean section; they address both the physical and mental/emotional/intellectual impacts of cesarean section and vaginal deliveries.. they leave nothing out.

  They obviously advocate VBAC, and they should, as it is almost always the safer alternative. They may be telling you something you don't want to hear, but it is something you MUST hear.

  They are outspoken, unafraid, and passionate about the safety and health of birthing women everywhere. This book is fabulous.

• 4) Should be a Must Read for pregnancy

  by Nicole Lachner on October 24 2001
    10+ helpful votes

  I got a hold of this book on ebay after a recommendation from other C-section mothers. They were disappointed by their C-section and wanted all the knowledge they could find to help them avoid a repeat section. This book is a teriffic source for parents wanting to birth naturally. It gives perfect reasons for it's anti-medical establishment stance, and lots of encouragement.

• 5) A Must Read for First Time Mothers and Cesarean Mothers.

  by QVRFULL@aol.com Gwendolyn K. Jones on November 19 1998
    10+ helpful votes

  This book is about healing wounds and preventing new ones. If you love your baby and you trust your judgement, please read this book. The most dangerous form of birth is a cesarean section, yet everyday babies and mothers are needlessly subjected to this invasive and painful procedure. Countless studies and FACTS are contained in this book writen by women for women.