The Art of Giving Birth: With Chanting, Breathing and Movement

This is a guide to help women find the joy and confidence needed for successful childbirth.

by Frédérick Leboyer, M.D.

This is a guide to help women find the joy and confidence needed for successful childbirth. Leboyer, author of the groundbreaking book Birth Without Violence, which looks at birth from the baby’s point of view, now explores the birth process from the mother’s perspective.

Through the heartfelt letters of women sharing their experiences, which are accompanied by his advice and commentary, he reveals how a woman can develop the skills needed to create a successful and joyful birth.

He stresses that proper breathing is the most important component for women going through childbirth.

The breathing should come from the lower belly and the exhalation should be accompanied by a musical tone. Without this musical dimension, breathing is merely a physical exercise.

Leboyer found that by using the music of the tambura, an Indian stringed instrument whose tones represent the embodiment of universal harmony, women are transported to a place of inner peace.

The book includes breathing and singing exercises and gentle movements to be practiced throughout pregnancy and during labor, and is accompanied by a 26-minute CD of tambura music.

$16.95 — Healing Arts Press, One Park St., Rochester, VT 05767.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 28, Number 3, June/July 2009.