henci goer
Birth Options Expert, Author & Educator

“my passion and my life’s work have been providing pregnant women what they need to make decisions about their care:
complete and accurate information, presented neutrally, on the pros and cons of all their options.”


About Henci
Starting out as a Lamaze teacher and doula, Henci Goer became interested in analyzing and synthesizing the obstetric research in order to give pregnant women, birthing people, and birth professionals access to what constitutes optimal care in childbirth.
She is the author of four books: Labor Pain: What’s Your Best Strategy?, Optimal Care in Childbirth: The Case for a Physiologic Approach (co-author Amy Romano MSN, CNM), The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth, and Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities. In addition, she has written numerous blog posts and articles and given lectures around the world.
In recognition of her work, she has received, among others, the American College of Nurse-Midwives Best Book of the Year Award, Lamaze International’s President’s Award, DONA International’s Klaus & Kennell Research Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BOLD Atlanta, and the Media Award from the American Association of Birth Centers.
The “Take Charge of Your Birth” series: short books on single topics to help women make informed choices and obtain optimal care for themselves and their babies, is a continuation of her work.

Get Our Free E-Book
This groundbreaking ebook provides pregnant people and their partners benchmarks for choosing a birth place and guidance on how to select care providers who support an evidence-based, physiologic approach. It identifies the gaps between typical labor management and optimal care and gives sage advice on how to find care they can trust.

“you can’t control the birth–or, really, anything in life. you can, though, take charge by knowing what you want and why…
then planning how best to achieve it.”

Recent Blog Posts
Baby Chick podcast: How to Take Charge of Your Birth
I recently discussed how to Take Charge of Your Birth and obtain optimal care during labor and...
Breastfeeding a Newborn? Here’s How to Get More Sleep
Perhaps one of the bigger challenges of having a new baby is getting sleep. There’s no end of...
How Much Does Labor Hurt?
You ask: How much is it going to hurt? I don't want an epidural, but I'm afraid of how painful...

What People Are Saying

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Follow Henci’s Instagram account for up-to-date news and research about birth issues! She’ll help you stay informed on what research affirms are best practices during labor and birth.