Giving Birth

by Mary Motley Kalergis

Book Overview

Images of pregnancy, the birth experience, and the spirituality of the birth process are the focus of this classic book of photographs. For years, renowned documentary photographer Mary Motley... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060910518
• ISBN13: 9780060910518
• Release Date: January 1983
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 93 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Giving birth paints a beautiful portriat of childbirth

Giving Birth is one of the most beautiful books on childbirth that I've ever seen. The use of soft lighting and a "homelike" setting, make you feel as if you are witnessing the wonder of birth yourself. Having two boys, ages 5 and 10, I never had a chance to have pictures taken during either delivery, so seeing these pictures gives me a new prospective of the wonder of the whole childbirth experince. I would recomend this book to any expectant family. I believe that this book is an excellent way to share the childbirth experince with your children in a positive and beautiful way. Seeing a child nuzzling at it's mother's breast is not at all pornographic in nature. Overall, this book is excellent!

beautiful black and white photography of everyday miracles

Giving Birth provides a graphic but loving view of a cross-section of couples deeply involved in the process of bringing new life into the world.I'm sure the pictures could be somewhat disturbing to the uninitiated, but to the women who have had an unmedicated birth and can remember both the pain, wonder and pleasure involved,these pictures bring back exqusitite memories. The text is lovely and touching. It adds a great deal to the overall experiance of this outstanding book.

Captures the wonder of birth

The black and white photographs in this book draw you deep into the intimacy of Birth, but it never feels intrusive. This book truly captures the emotions, especially the wonder and joy of birth. The sparse text "dots the i". I will definitely recommend Giving Birth.

A fine photographic essay, alive with emotion.

As a lifelong photographer, I was excited to see how the author depicted the most fundamental and emotional event in human existence. My children were born during the "dark ages" when the father was considered the least important person in the birth process. This book goes a long way toward showing that, indeed, the father, as well as other family members can play a vital role in helping the mother bring forth a new life. I gave the book to my 18 year old daughter who is pregnant with her first child. She had been reading many books on the process that touched on what to expect physically but after seeing "Giving Birth", she began to fully appreciate the experience that she is soon to go through. Reading the excerpts of the feelings that the mothers and dads spoke about, she began to be more relaxed and her fears were lessened. I highly recommend this book to anyone about to experience the birth of a child, personally or in a helping role.

A wonderful way to share the birth experience with families.

I loved the choice of black and white photography as it allowed you to focas on the intensity of the moment. The comments by the participants added a personal and reflective dimension. As a midwife, it is a book I would recommend to all my expectant families to review. Children are very visual and it will help them to understand the process of birthing espeicially if they choose to be present.