Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife

This book was recommended to me by one of my nursing instructors, who knew I was interested in entering into Nurse Midwifery. I wish I had read it back then, as it gives some excellent insights about birth.What made this book particularly interesting (and useful) to me, is that it is written by someone who attended many births in many different settings. Vincent was a nurse, a nurse-midwife in a hospital, and a home-birth midwife. This means she gives a very well-rounded view, rather than just promoting one setting over the other.Also, unlike some books about midwifery and natural birth, she doesn't paint all medical professionals as evil. In fact, she is very careful to mention those that were wonderful advocates for the mothers, as well as those that she felt were callous or unethical.Her birth stories are enjoyable to read. Some are endearing, some empowering. She doesn't say that all births were perfect, but she does say that birth itself is perfect, and that is a refreshing point of view when so many people are taking one side or the other about natural birth.I give this book a 5 star review for being honest, concise and entertaining. It is not a how-to book, so don't expect lengthy medical dialog describing the birth process. It focuses on the characters in birth--mother, father, child, attendees. It does however prove that with proper support, birth can be a wonderful process rather than a horror-fest, even when things go wrong.

This book is absolutely amazing. I did not want this book to end so I slowed down my reading hoping to drag it out. The book was a great insight into the beauty of a women being able to bring a person into this world the way god intended. I felt at times as I was there with Peggy the descriptions of the labor and births so perfect, loving and at time hilarious. Each birth to her during the time of her private practice was special in its own way and her ability to remember each of them. I have learned how special midwives are since "Doctors have lost sight of what normal labor looks like and how women really behave when artificial barriers are removed". It was hilarious when she would take the placentas to her kids school. Interesting was the "primal need of women to find a close, dark, protected space in which to bring safely bring forth their babies. Rejecting the prepared king size bed". I did get annoyed and upset with her when she kicked a goose so hard that it beak over tail went 15 feet above the lake vibrating her leg all the way to her hip then laughed about it.unlike how doctors think "childbirth is normal until proven otherwise"

I've read all of Peggy Vincent's books and enjoyed every one of them equally. Her books are filled with compelling stories of her experiences as a nurse midwife performing both hospital and home deliveries. Her writing style is down-to--earth and honest. I found the books hard to put down.

I love to hear inspiring and motivating birth stories and have little tolerance for the typical horror stories. Our two children were born peacefully and completely naturally using the HypnoBirthing method, with the support of a Midwife and Doula, one in the hospital and one at home in a kiddy pool. I wish I would have known what I did with our first that I did with our second, but overall, we had the natural relaxed and spiritual birth we desired with some typical hospital distractions. In the end I was in control of my labor and felt like a birthing Goddess. I share our beautiful story with anyone that'll listen. Most are shocked while others in disbelief attributing the natural birth experience to my physical strength. Mmm...anyway. I await the day that all women are empowered, educated, supported and afforded the opportunities to birth their babies the way they want to. And equally, I await the day that Midwives are fully accepted as birthing experts, confidants and Angels. Blessings, Light and Love.

If you read only one book during pregnancy, read this one.Now, this probably wouldn't be the book you'd expect to answer all your pregnancy needs. It doesn't tell you about diet, exercise, the growth of your fetus. This is a book about a midwife and the women she's helped to deliver. For me, reading these varied stories, told with humor and consideration, almost all of which had a positive outcome, was such a relief to my anxiety about childbirth. It helped me see that there are so many types of "normal" and that my delivery was going to be "normal" regardless of the process or outcome. I wanted to start the book again as soon as I finished it. And, I repeat, Peggy Vincent is funny and fun and tells a great story! You are going to wish she were your midwife.

Vincent combines humility and tenderness with the science of perinatal care -- not easy to do. My son's girlfriend, who was delivered at home by her father under Peggy's watchful eye, loaned me the book. I knew Peggy when I did Obstetrical Anesthesia at Alta Bates, although not well. I have the greatest respect for her personally, professionally, and as a mother. Her views on obstetrical care were courageous for the time. Would that I had not believed the traditional dogma that home deliveries are inherently dangerous!One reviewer says the book rambles a bit. For me, Peggy is not a writer so much as a storyteller, as if recounting history around a fire with her tribe.The Bible quotations were offensive; otherwise I would have given the book 5 stars. This is not something I expect Christians to understand.If you are pregnant, the book may be scary. Pregnancy and birth are scary. Countless women and babies have died due to perinatal complications. Modern medicine has improved survival, but not without its own life-threatening risks. Having and raising children is a huge responsibility, but there is no greater joy or love.

Very nice book!

I devoured this extremely readable book. Interesting and well written. Each individual birth story as well as the overall story of Peggys life and development is very well told. I wound up loving this woman and respecting how she stepped up for so many women on their birth/motherhood journeys.

I must have read this book much sooner. I love it very much. Long time without falling in love so hard with a book. When I grow up I wanna be like Peggy Vincent.

I loved this book, how I wished the author had been around when my children had been born. What a privilege for the women she so expertly guided through the most natural and beautiful experience of childbirth, determined whenever possible to keep it as it should be,unmedicalised.My own judgement of a good book is this, I have precious little time for reading, but if it is seriously unputdownable, then you'll find me stirring a sauce or gravy with the book in one hand and spoon in the other, this is such a book. I had this one read in a couple of days and in the back of my mind I was thinking of the friends to whom I could pass it on, who would love it as I had.The author skillfully brings her own family to the narrative thereby adding the personal element which I enjoyed.As a nurse myself this is just the kind of book I look out for and I can heartily recommend it to my peers. I sighed when I had finished this book, sorry to have it end.

love all the diverse range of birth stories! if you're a doula, midwife or mom- this is a book you won't want to put down