Last summer I had clients who were expecting their child and used this book like a textbook to prepare for the birth of their son. The pregnant person did her own thorough preparations, but it was her male partner who devoured this book with an interest and passion that astounded me! There are few books as comprehensive and sought after as this one and it’s definitely worthy of your attention.

The Birth Partner is an in-depth resource, wonderful for all future parents, doulas, or person who anticipates supporting someone through labor and delivery. Penny Simkin is a legend in the birth world and with each edition that she releases of the book, the evidence she shares is updated, inclusive language is included, and the text just gets better. Split up into different parts, the book can be easily digested at your own pace and you can take the time to really soak in what’s most important from each stage. Sections like Before the Birth cover becoming a well-informed participant in the birth process and gives tools for communicating freely with the pregnant person to find out how best to work together during labor and birth. Pregnant people and birth partners are reminded to enjoy the time before labor and savor what can be really intimate moments.

It might seem obvious from the title, but this book is truly written for the birth partner. That partner can be a spouse or life partner, a doula, a mom, a sister, or even a labor and delivery nurse. You don’t have to have a special title or fancy credentials to be a prepared, educated, compassionate birth partner and this book proves that. Check it out. Your library probably has copies, there are dozens of used copies floating around, and it’s a worthy investment to buy the latest edition. You won’t be disappointed.