What to really expect...
Written: Apr 28 '00 (Updated Jan 19 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: complete information, great illustrations
Cons: -
The Bottom Line: Well rounded, beautifully illustrated and by far one of the best books for pregnancy and birth.
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| jenb123's Full Review: Conception Pregnancy & Birth Books |
So, you’re thinking about starting a family and having difficulties? Perhaps you are pregnant and completely overwhelmed? A new mom confused about rashes and dirty diapers? Whether you are considering conception or have just given birth, there are very few books that are thorough enough or as beautifully illustrated as Conception, Pregnancy & Birth by Dr. Miriam Stoppard.
I recently was sent this book courtesy of Dorling Kindersley Publishing and truly wish I’d had this book years ago (please note that this is a brand new edition, so I have no idea if earlier editions are as thorough, up-to-date or well rounded as the book I just read).
Contents
Conception, Pregnancy & Birth consists of sixteen chapters to cover nearly every imaginable topic:
1. Preparing For Pregnancy-Explains genes, conception, infertility and assisted reproduction technologies. Both male and female issues are discussed covering causes of fertility problems along with tests, treatments and options. There are also tips to give your pregnancy a healthier start and your baby a brighter future.
2. You and Your Developing Baby-A very well explained look at your pregnancy week by week, wonderful photos, reassuring advice and a particularly helpful explanation of your rights, indispensable for those working outside the home.
3.Preparing For Fatherhood -A short but refreshing chapter that is aimed at the half of the pregnant couple who is often overlooked. Tips on what to expect as an expectant father, labor, delivery and infant care are discussed.
4. The Birth of Your Choice-Unlike most pregnancy books, childbirth is not described as a medical procedure or as a rigid procedure. Home birth is presented as a real option rather than as an “out there” choice or an accident that makes the news. Water birth, birthing centers and medical emergencies are also discussed in addition to information about hospital birth. The chapter gives you a look at various philosophies, situations and gives the reader an opportunity to have the birth experience they wish.
5. Food and Eating in Pregnancy-No “Best-Odds Diet” expected here! Useful information about “eating for two.”
6. A Healthy Pregnancy-Covers physical and emotional health.
7.Your Prenatal Care-A simple explanation of procedures, terms and such.
8. Caring for Your Unborn Baby-From kicks to hiccups to fetal surgery, this chapter covers fetal development of normal and special needs babies. Rhesus disease is explained and preventative interventions are described.
9.Common Complaints-Helps distinguish between normal discomforts and signs of trouble. Also suggestions for relieving backaches, cramps and heartburn.
10. Medical Emergencies-Miscarriage, placenta previa, preeclampsia and other medical emergencies are explained. Each condition is explained and treatments are discussed. This is an excellent reference to help identify danger signs and be able to seek help.
11.A Sensual Pregnancy-During pregnancy, hormones are working overtime. This chapter answers questions that might otherwise go unanswered. Physical and emotional aspects of sex are discussed with suggestions, facts and problems. There are illustrated instructions for sensual massage along with do’s and don’ts.
12.Getting Ready for Your Baby-Equipment, layette and an unusually honest section on breast versus bottle. Baby names, sibling preparation and being overdue are also covered.
13.Managing Your Labor -Preparing for a home birth is discussed before the section on what to bring and when to go to the hospital. Prelabor signs are identified and the stages of labor are outlined. Labor positions and hospital procedures are also discussed.
14.Special Deliveries-Premature labor, complications at delivery, c-sections and inductions are explained in detail along with other serious problems like prolapsed cord. Breech deliveries, vacuum extraction and sudden birth are highlighted with clear explanations and illustrations. The unthinkable is mentioned with sensitive insight.
15. Getting to Know Your Newborn Baby-A helpful guide to feeding, changing and bathing your newborn. Surprisingly positive portrayal of breastfeeding and cloth diapering! Preemie care, newborn health and colic round out this useful chapter.
16. Adjusting to Parenthood -A life raft tossed out to the new parents summarizes the first weeks with baby. Postpartum health concerns are addressed from fatigue to afterpains. Episiotomies, tears and cesarean wound care is stressed and tips for dealing with the other discomforts felt postpartum. Emotional health is highlighted and depression is prominently mentioned as well.
Why I liked this book...
There are many reasons I recommend this book to all parents, potential parents and parents-to be. The most notable include:
Illustrations and photographs-Throughout the book there are diagrams, drawings and photos that are very helpful in a number of ways. Photos of actual mothers and babies are clear and beautiful, depicting birth, demonstrating exercises, showing examples of newborn anatomy, rashes, reflexes and more. New moms worry when they see less than perfect looking skin, puffy eyes and those frightening first baths. Sometimes diaper rash looks worse than it is, but if you’ve never actually seen it, photographs actually can reassure parents. There are more actual photographs than most books of this kind, seeing real people rather than simple sketches is more effective in my opinion. Instead of the black and white cross section of the pregnant body we see in the What to Expect series, Conception, Pregnancy & Birth uses over 450 full color photos, charts, diagrams and even ultrasound images. Photos of actual breastfeeding mothers help to give a clear view of proper latch-on and a very detailed guide to bottlefeeding shows precisely how to properly sterilize bottles.
Case Studies-Many chapters include case studies highlighting specific situations. For example, in the last chapter we meet 33 year old Christine Rance. Her medical history is normal as is her obstetric history. This case study, The depressed mother, highlights her predisposing factors, feelings of helplessness, other symptoms and her partner’s reaction. Christine seeks help, receives treatment and advice is offered to readers. Other case studies include a diabetic mother, choosing single parenthood, a mother who has multiple sclerosis, a mother with preeclampsia and several more. I found these cases to be informative and easy to relate to. For others with similar cases, these stories can be a comfort.
Well rounded (information, not just figures) -Of the dozens of books I’ve read since my first pregnancy, never have I seen one that covers as many bases as Conception, Pregnancy & Birth. Rather than focusing on the mainstream only, this book not only offers information on the choices in childbirth , it actually portrays the less popular choices like home birth, breastfeeding and cloth diapers in an accurate and even attractive light. I’d never seen photographs of fitted cloth diapers or pinless covers in this type of book before. In reading the more well known books such as What to Expect When You’re Expecting or The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy, many moms think that only crunchy granola types have unmedicated births attended by midwives and that cloth diapers must involve rubber pants and pins. Where other books tiptoe around the breast versus bottle debate, Dr. Stoppard states “breastfeeding is always preferable to bottlefeeding.” The illustrations I’ve already raved about are helpful and the information straightforward. Bottlefeeding mothers should not feel left out either, as proper formula preparation is explained in a very clear manner rather than the confusing methods I’ve read in other books.
The chapter covering infertility is comprehensive and current, the nutrition information is useful rather than rigid and the discussions about emotions, sexuality and depression are very well written. Dr. Stoppard has delivered a terrific resource that honors the mother, father and the child, a welcome change from the typical pregnancy book. I’d strongly suggest this book as a guide to explore all your options rather than relying on less complete literature. This book will be useful for couples who have yet to become parents, new parents, experienced parents and even other caregivers. This is everything the What to Expect series isn’t. I only wish I’d had such a complete guide 6 years ago!
Recommended:
Yes
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