| Pregnancy
can be an exciting time--plenty of changes are in store for
mothers-to-be, and it is helpful to have a few books to turn to for advice, discussions,
and information.
 Conception,
Pregnancy, & Birth by Miriam Stoppard is a
wonderfully visual pregnancy manual that most
mothers-to-be--especially first-timers--will appreciate. This is
an ideal book to read while planning for a pregnancy, though it
doesn't cover fertility issues in much depth. The star feature of
the book is its section that shows pregnancy progress every four
weeks. The same model is pictured throughout this section, as well as
information about physiological and psychological changes in the
mother, in addition to updates on the fetus' growth and
development. Plenty of case studies are included. The information
given in this book is oftentimes more broad than deep, though some
topics, such as preparing for conception, are detailed. Childbirth
choices, nutrition, body care before and during pregnancy,
sensuality, labor, and some notes on caring for a newborn are some
of the topics addressed. [Buy Conception, Pregnancy & Birth
at Amazon for approximately $21-30 US]
 The Birth
Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying
Birth by Dr. William and Martha Sears is a unique book
devoted to the subject of giving birth. The book opens with a
chapter that discusses the authors' eight birth experiences, and
then moves on to a historical look at birthing practices, and
contemporary (albeit rather opinionated) choices people face
regarding childbirth. Medical "interventions" are
outlined, birthing positions are discussed, and steps for
composing a birth plan are suggested. Our favorite sections in the
book are those that discuss nutrition and body care during
pregnancy, and the detailed and informative chapter dedicated to
labor itself. Large parts of the book are devoted to discussing
techniques to help mothers-to-be relax and take control of their
births. Some may scoff at the chapter entitled "Why Birth
Hurts--Why it Doesn't Have to" simply because it might seem
too ambitious, but the pain management techniques (which are both
psychological--overcoming fear--and physiological) discussed
within are helpful. The chapter on VBACs (Vaginal Birth after
Cesarean) is particularly empowering.
This is a book that you'll either
love or hate--it's somewhat opinionated and heavily favors
"natural" birthing practices. However, though it isn't
entirely impartial, it manages to deliver unique content that many
will consider invaluable. It may be best suited for parents who
have already experienced a less than "satisfying" birth.
[Buy The Birth Book : Everything You Need to...
at Amazon for approximately $12-14 US]
 The
Complete Book of Pregnancy And Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger is
a thorough and well-written pregnancy bible. Complete with charts,
illustrations, beautiful photos, and comprehensive information,
this is a book that will please most expectant women. Starting
with a discussion about the early weeks of pregnancy, this book
then takes readers through every stage of development, the birth
experience, and the early days of life after the baby is born. A
handy week-by-week guide with spaces for note-taking is included. [Buy The Complete Book of Pregnancy and...
at Amazon.com]
What to Expect When You're
Expecting by Arlene Eisenberg contains some useful answers to questions
that come up during pregnancy, but it doesn't do a whole lot to
give women an empowering feeling about the birth process or to
alleviate fears. Readers can probably safely ignore the strict
diet laid out in the book (although it does contain some useful
guidelines), and those looking for a more holistic approach to the
birth experience or interested in having a non-hospital birth
should look elsewhere. The format is predominantly
question-and-answer, and quite a bit of focus is on concerns in
pregnancy. [Buy What to Expect Gift Set : When You're...
at Amazon.com]
|
Related Review:
Taking
Charge of Your Fertility
|
