THE BIRTH ALLY LIBRARY

Primal Health by Michel Odent explores the vital first year of life and its profound impact on lifelong health. First published in 1986, this book delves into how the early stages of development during pregnancy and infancy shape our health long into adulthood. Odent argues that the physical and emotional experiences in these early years directly influence our ability to handle modern diseases like hypertension, cancer, and immune system failures.

This revised edition includes new insights, connecting recent research to Odent's groundbreaking work. Essential for anyone interested in child health and the broader implications for society, Primal Health offers thought-provoking ideas on how early life sets the foundation for long-term wellness.

This thought-provoking book from Michel Odent, a pioneering figure in natural childbirth, explores how the way we give birth profoundly affects not just individuals, but the evolution of our species. Odent examines the critical period surrounding birth, highlighting its impact on long-term health and even the transmission of traits through epigenetics and the microbiome. Drawing on recent scientific breakthroughs, he challenges us to consider the long-term implications of modern obstetric practices on humanity’s evolution. This updated edition offers fresh insights for anyone interested in the intersection of birth, evolution, and human health. A must-read for those wanting to explore the bigger picture of how birth practices shape our future.

In The Scientification of Love, Michel Odent explores love not just as a poetic idea, but as a biological and evolutionary necessity. Drawing on research from multiple scientific fields, he suggests that our capacity to love, particularly maternal love, may be central to the future survival of humanity.

Odent examines the powerful hormonal processes surrounding birth and early life, proposing that the moments just after birth can influence our long-term ability to form loving connections. At times controversial, this book invites readers to reflect on how modern society intersects with our deepest biological instincts, and why protecting the conditions for love at the beginning of life may matter more than we realise.

In Birth with Confidence, Rhea Dempsey offers a deeply reassuring and practical guide for women who wish to prepare for a physiological birth within today’s medicalised maternity system. Drawing on decades of experience as a childbirth educator and birth attendant, Rhea unpacks the cultural influences that can shape birth experiences and confidence in labour.

This book supports women and their partners to understand their choices, build a strong support team, and reframe labour pain as purposeful and powerful rather than something to fear. Filled with real stories, thoughtful reflections, and grounded wisdom, it’s a valuable read for anyone wanting to approach birth feeling informed, steady and confident in their body’s capacity.

In Beyond the Birth Plan, Rhea Dempsey turns the focus toward the emotional and psychological preparation for birth and early motherhood. Rather than concentrating solely on practical plans and preferences, Rhea invites women to explore the inner landscape of labour, including vulnerability, resilience and the transitions that unfold as a mother is born.

Blending research with real-life stories and compassionate insight, this book offers guidance on preparing not just for the physical experience of birth, but for the emotional journey that follows. A supportive read for those wanting to feel more grounded, aware and emotionally equipped as they step into labour and the postnatal season.

In Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage, Rachel Reed explores childbirth as a transformative and empowering experience. Drawing on history, science, and personal narratives, the book encourages women to recognize their own expertise and strength in the birthing process. Reed highlights how childbirth can serve as a profound rite of passage, shaping confidence, resilience and self-discovery.

The book blends ancient birthing wisdom with modern research, offering a holistic perspective on pregnancy and labour. It also examines contemporary maternity care, advocating for approaches that prioritize women’s experiences, autonomy and emotional well-being. A valuable resource for expectant parents and care providers, this book inspires readers to create supportive environments that honor both the physiological and emotional journey of birth.

In The Birth Space, doula Gabrielle Nancarrow, offers a comprehensive guide to conception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This book emphasizes the importance of informed choice and understanding your rights throughout the perinatal journey, whether you're planning an obstetric, midwife-assisted or home birth.

Gabrielle empowers readers with practical advice on how to prepare their bodies and minds for pregnancy and labour, while offering insights into what to expect from conscious conception through to the postpartum period and matrescence. With a mix of holistic remedies for common ailments, expert insights from other birth professionals, and spiritual guidance throughout, The Birth Space provides a valuable resource for every stage of the birthing experience.

HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method has become a popular and empowering childbirth approach worldwide, helping women to trust their natural birthing instincts. Hypnobirthing may significantly reduce labour pain, often eliminate the need for pain-relieving drugs and reducing the likelihood of medical interventions, such as caesarean sections. It also may shorten labour and recovery time, facilitating early and better bonding with baby.

In this book, founder Marie Mongan, who has experienced four births herself, demonstrates how the Mongan Method allows women to take control of their childbirth experience. Through a series of techniques, including deep relaxation, breathing and visualization, HypnoBirthing aims to reduce fear, which is often the root cause of pain and tension during labour. By addressing the physical and emotional aspects of birth, HypnoBirthing empowers parents to experience a calmer, more positive birth, while also supporting the baby's well-being. This approach challenges the cultural view that birth must be painful and difficult, offering a science-backed method for a more comfortable, confident and peaceful experience.

The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou, with Amely Greeven and Marisa Belger, is a guide to the critical early weeks after birth, focusing on rest, recovery and self-care for new mothers. It emphasises the importance of slowing down, nurturing the body and allowing time for both physical and emotional restoration.

The book offers practical ways to support this period, including 60 simple recipes for healing soups, nourishing meals and lactation-supporting teas. It also provides guidance on arranging help at home, coping with the challenges of new motherhood and creating a supportive environment for both mother and baby. Richly illustrated, it serves as both a practical handbook and an inspirational companion for the postpartum journey.

The Birth Map is a unique tool that guides you through the Informed Birth Preparation process, encouraging you to create your own personalized Birth Map while also preparing for life after birth.

Inside, you'll find a wealth of valuable resources, including information on making informed decisions, what to expect from standard pregnancy care.

Birth mapping is based on overall statistical outcomes for normal term pregnancies in the Australian maternity system. Birth mapping covers all pathways - not just the ideal birth pathway - it includes the ‘but what if’, the ‘then what’s’ and all the in betweens - to help you feel informed, in control and able to make confident choices.

This book is a practical guide for parents caring for babies who seem unusually unsettled, irritable or difficult to soothe. Dr Pamela Douglas combines gentle guidance with evidence-based insights to help you understand what might be driving your baby’s discomfort, from feeding and digestion to sleep and sensory needs. She offers practical strategies that are realistic, kind and empowering, helping parents respond confidently while nurturing both baby and parent wellbeing. The book tackles a number of real-life situations and provides guidance to support you in navigating early postpartum, such as dealing with feelings of anxiety and depression, issues around reflux, allergies and tongue-ties.

Whether your baby struggles with frequent crying, trouble settling, or you are just needing some reassurance, this book provides practical tools and a compassionate approach to creating calm, connection and confidence in the early months of parenthood.

Monitoring Your Baby in Labour by Dr. Kirsten Small is a clear, evidence-based guide for anyone who wants to understand how babies are monitored during labour and make confident, informed choices.

This book fully explains your options, from intermittent auscultation with a Pinard or Doppler to CTG, wireless telemetry, fetal scalp electrodes, intrauterine pressure catheters, fetal blood sampling, and fetal oximetry, with straightforward explanations of the benefits and risks.

Perfect for parents who want to be prepared for conversations with their care team.

This thought-provoking book explores the intersection of birth, healthcare, human rights, and social justice across the globe. Through stories and case studies from diverse settings, including conflict zones, disaster-affected communities, and highly medicalised hospital systems, it examines how different cultures and communities approach pregnancy, birth, and maternity care.

Rather than presenting a single model of “best practice,” the authors encourage readers to question assumptions about birth and consider how politics, economics and healthcare systems shape the experiences of women and families. The book highlights innovative approaches to maternity care and showcases communities and professionals who are working to create more equitable, respectful, and person-centred birth experiences.

A great read for anyone interested in the bigger picture of birth, this book offers valuable insights into the challenges and possibilities of maternity care around the world.

Whether you are preparing for your first birth or seeking a more positive experience after a previous birth, this book offers gentle guidance to help you reconnect with your body, build confidence, and approach birth feeling informed, calm, and supported.

Written by hypnobirthing expert Carmen Moreno, founder of Parto Positivo and creator of The Positive Birth Method, this book explores practical tools to support relaxation, mindset, preparation, and trust in the birthing process.

A valuable resource for expectant parents wanting to feel more empowered and prepared, Hypnobirthing: Prepare for a Positive Birth, supports families to understand the connection between the mind and body, reduce fear and approach birth with greater confidence and self-belief.

The transition into life after birth is one of the biggest transformations a person can experience. Alongside the love and wonder of welcoming a baby, the postpartum period can bring physical recovery, emotional changes, hormonal shifts, and many unexpected challenges.

The Complete Guide to Postpartum is a supportive and practical resource designed to help families feel more prepared for this important season. Covering everything from the early days after birth and the fourth trimester to mental health, feeding, sleep, relationships, pelvic floor recovery, and caring for yourself, this book offers evidence-based guidance alongside real stories from mothers.

A valuable companion for pregnancy and the early postpartum months, this book reminds new parents that their recovery matters too. It provides reassurance, knowledge, and practical tools to help navigate the journey into parenthood with greater confidence, understanding, and support.

The early months and years of a baby’s life are filled with incredible growth, change, and development. The Wonder Weeks offers parents insight into the developmental leaps babies experience and helps explain why their behaviour, sleep, feeding and emotions may change during these periods.

Based on decades of research into infant development, this book explores how babies learn, grow, and respond to the world around them. It provides practical guidance to help parents better understand their baby’s needs, recognise developmental changes, and feel more confident during times that can sometimes feel challenging or unpredictable.

A helpful resource for new and expecting parents, The Wonder Weeks encourages curiosity, connection and a deeper understanding of your baby’s unique journey through their first year and beyond.

Birth is a powerful life experience and every birthing person deserves to feel informed, respected and supported in the choices they make. In Give Birth Like a Feminist, Milli Hill explores birth through the lens of autonomy, human rights and the importance of having a voice in maternity care.

This book encourages readers to question the way birth is often approached, while highlighting the importance of informed consent, individual choice and respectful care. Through research, personal stories and honest reflections, it explores how we can move towards a birth culture where people feel empowered rather than powerless.

A valuable resource for anyone preparing for birth, this book invites you to reflect on your rights, understand your options and approach your birth experience with confidence, knowledge and self-belief.

Birth is a transformative experience, and feeling informed, prepared and supported can have a powerful impact on how you approach it. In Hypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better, expert hypnobirthing coach Siobhan Miller shares practical tools to help expectant parents build confidence, reduce fear and feel more connected to their body and their birth choices.

This book explores how the body works during labour and introduces techniques to support relaxation, calm and trust throughout the birthing process. Through breathing techniques, visualisations, affirmations, guided relaxation and other practical strategies, it provides tools that can be used for all types of births, including vaginal birth, assisted birth and caesarean birth.

A valuable resource for anyone preparing for birth, this book supports you to approach labour with greater understanding, confidence and a sense of empowerment. It is a reminder that while every birth is unique, preparation and knowledge can help you feel more grounded and supported throughout your journey.

The postpartum period is a time of immense change as you recover from birth, adjust to life with a newborn and care for yourself in a whole new way. Nourish offers gentle guidance and nourishing recipes designed to support your body and wellbeing during this important transition.

Created with new mothers in mind, this cookbook focuses on simple, wholesome meals that provide comfort, energy and essential nourishment when time and capacity can feel limited. It recognises that caring for yourself is an important part of caring for your baby.

A beautiful resource for pregnancy preparation and the early postpartum months, Nourish encourages families to prioritise rest, recovery, and nourishment as they navigate the journey into parenthood.

Birth is a powerful experience, and feeling informed and connected to your body can help you approach it with greater confidence and calm. The Hypnobirthing Book provides expectant parents with practical tools and knowledge to support a positive and empowering birth experience.

Katharine Graves explores how the body works during pregnancy and labour while sharing techniques to support relaxation, trust and a deeper understanding of the birthing process. Through breathing practices, visualisations, and mindset tools, this book encourages you to work with your body and feel more prepared for the journey ahead.

A valuable resource for pregnancy preparation, The Hypnobirthing Book supports families to feel informed, capable and confident as they prepare to welcome their baby.

Understanding the incredible capabilities of the body can help build confidence, trust and connection throughout the journey of childbirth. In Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, renowned midwife Ina May Gaskin shares decades of experience supporting women and families through birth.

Combining real birth stories with practical information about labour, the mind-body connection and the physiology of birth, this book explores how creating a sense of safety, support, and trust can influence the birth experience.

Through empowering stories and gentle guidance, Ina May encourages expectant parents to reconnect with their innate wisdom and approach birth with greater confidence and understanding.

A well-known resource for parents and birth workers around the world, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth is a valuable addition to pregnancy preparation for anyone wanting to deepen their knowledge of birth and explore the possibilities of a positive, supported birth experience.

The journey towards birth is unique for every person and decisions about when and how labour begins can feel complex and overwhelming. In Your Own Time, by Dr Sara Wickham explores the evidence, research and experiences surrounding induction of labour, encouraging readers to better understand their options and feel informed in their choices.

Drawing on her extensive experience as a midwife and researcher, Dr Wickham unpacks the evidence around due dates, induction, risk and the way modern maternity care approaches the timing of birth. Dr Wickham explores the questions many families ask when faced with decisions about waiting for labour to begin naturally or choosing an induction.

Written in an accessible and compassionate way, this book supports expectant parents to navigate conversations with their care providers, understand the evidence behind recommendations and feel empowered to make decisions that align with their values and circumstances.

In Your Own Time invites readers to look beyond fear and uncertainty and approach decisions about birth with knowledge, confidence and trust.

Decisions around induction of labour can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with complex information, recommendations and differing opinions. Why Induction Matters provides a clear and evidence-based guide to help expectant parents better understand this common aspect of maternity care.

Midwife and researcher Rachel Reed explores why induction may be offered, what the process involves and the options available when considering whether to proceed or wait for labour to begin naturally. Through research, practical information and the experiences of women, this book encourages thoughtful conversations and informed decision-making.

A valuable resource for pregnancy preparation, Why Induction Matters supports families to ask questions, understand their choices and feel more confident navigating decisions about their care. It is a reminder that informed consent and individualised support are central to every birth experience.

Every birth is unique, and feeling calm, informed, and supported can help you approach your journey with confidence. Your Baby, Your Birth is a modern hypnobirthing guide designed to support all types of births, helping expectant parents feel more connected to their body, their baby, and their choices.

Hypnobirthing coach Hollie de Cruz shares practical tools to support relaxation, mindfulness and a positive mindset throughout pregnancy, birth, and the transition into parenthood. Through breathing techniques, guided meditations, affirmations and preparation exercises, this book encourages you to build trust in your body and develop skills to navigate birth with greater calm and confidence.

With a focus on a positive birth experience rather than a perfect one, Your Baby, Your Birth supports families to feel empowered, informed and prepared, whatever their birth journey may look like.

A valuable resource for pregnancy preparation, this book is a gentle reminder that you are an active participant in your birth experience and that your voice, choices, and instincts matter.

Birth is a powerful transition that involves both the incredible capabilities of the human body and the support of evidence-based care. In Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, Dr Sarah Buckley explores the physiology of birth and the importance of creating an environment where women and babies can feel safe, supported and respected.

Drawing on her experience as a doctor, mother, and researcher, Dr Buckley combines medical knowledge, scientific evidence and women’s birth experiences to explore the benefits of undisturbed birth and a more connected approach to maternity care.

The book also extends beyond birth, offering guidance around breastfeeding, bonding, sleep and the early postpartum period. It encourages parents to trust their instincts, understand their baby’s needs and approach the transition into parenthood with confidence and connection.

A valuable resource for pregnancy and early parenting, Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering invites families to explore a more gentle, informed, and instinctive approach to welcoming and nurturing their baby.