Reviews (45)

Unoriginal
I gave this book a low rating, not because it's "offensive," but because it's blah humor.
Great for the expecting dad
This book is very funny and my husband and I really enjoyed it.It brings up alot of questions your husband would think of and explains things in his terms.It helped my husband understand the whole pregnancy thing better.This is a great book for the expecting dad.

HORRIBLE,sexist and awful
I got this as a present for my fiance,thinking it would be a cute funny gift during our pregnancy.However,it got here and neither of us were amused.It's a HORRIBLE book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Childbirth    3. Fathers    4. Form - Parodies    5. Health/Fitness    6. Humor    7. Husbands    8. Pregnancy    9. Pregnancy & Childbirth    10. English    11. Humor / General    12. Humour    13. Pregnancy, birth & baby care    14. USA   

Reviews (64)

Really just okay...and a little disappointing
I believe in many attachment parenting principles, so I ordered this book once my child reached the appropriate age for discipline.I have to say I was more than just a little disappointed with this book.
I love Dr Sears but only liked this book
I am a huge believer in attachment parenting, but found this book to be a dollar short and way to late. I bought it when my son was 18 months old and reading it felt like I had already made tons of mistakes that wern't reversable as a parent. This book may be more helpful for "parents-to-be" or brand new parents. I also felt like some of the expectations were a little high... all in all I thought that the ideas and the general guidlines were good, just not many examples to help.

a working mom
Dr Sears completely ignores the HUGE population of working mothers!The book goes on and on and on about attachment parenting and how you should allow your child to disattach from you and not the other way around....well, the majority of the mother's in this world do not have this choice!Furthermore, he made me feel as though I was a selfish mother for not carrying my daughter on my hip for the first year of her life.My daughter is very attached to me and we have a very close relationship....yet I started back at work full time when she was 8 weeks old.I feel that Dr Sears only addressing those mothers that stay at home full time and even then he cautions about leaving your child!Easy for him to say!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Behavior modification    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Child rearing    4. Discipline of children    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Parenting - Discipline    8. Parenting - General    9. Advice on parenting    10. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (43)

12 gifts
I have bought many copies of this book for gifts and it has been well received and appreciated.It is a nice gift for children and babies and for the adults as well.

A Must Have for New Parents
From the Twelve Gifts of Marriage, through the Twelve Gifts of Birth to the Twelve Gifts For Healing, Charlene Costanzo has gifted all who read her works with true inspiration to hold fast to what matters in life.

The Twelve Gifts of Birth
One of the most beautiful books I have read.I give it for newborn gifts or baby showers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Conduct of life    3. Family Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. Health & Fitness    6. Inspirational    7. Inspirational - Gifts    8. Juvenile literature    9. Parenting - Motherhood    10. Pregnancy & Childbirth    11. Self-esteem    12. Values    13. Family & Relationships / Family Relationships    14. Marriage, family & other relationships    15. Mind, Body, Spirit    16. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (37)

Quick and easy to read
I liked this book because it was quick and easy to read, but also had more in-depth information in the back.Each month, there is a chart of symptoms to let you know what is important to go to the ER, call your doc, or wait 24 hours to check.There were great decision guides that presented both sides.I like that I know a reputable hospital stands behind the book, as well.I have 6 pregnancy books, but this one is my favorite.

I'm saving mine for child #2
We just had our first baby two months ago and this is the only book I bought to prepare us for the pregnancy and birth. I knew what to expect during each month and pretty much all the questions that come up in between were answered. There is the monthly baby development and mom's physical and emotional changes as the pregnancy progresses. It gives you questions to think about when considering a which physician is best foryou and which will be best for your baby when he/she is born. I read over and over again (pregnant brain) the sections on birthing plans, how labor progresses, the drugs offered, pros/cons of circumcision, and how to care for the baby when you bring it home. Eventually I even got the hang of breastfeeding while reading this book. I will be saving my copy for when we are pregnant again in a few years.
Excellent Guide to Pregnancy
This book doesn't tip toe around the realities of pregnancy. It is very informative and educational. I am now 30 weeks along in my pregnancy and have found myself referring to this book almost every day. I have learned so much about my body, my growing baby and what to truly expect when the delivery happens. I highly recommned this book to any woman starting out in pregnancy with TONS of questions like I have. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    2. Family/Marriage    3. Gynecology & Obstetrics    4. Pregnancy    5. Pregnancy & Childbirth    6. Prenatal care    7. Women's Health - General    8. Health & Fitness / Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Reviews (137)

Good research
I think that this book has some great stories to get you excited about signing. I love the research in this book. I would like more signs. I bought this book and a baby sign language dictionary called Teach Your Tot to Sign that has tons of signs that I use everyday. I suggest that you do that too if you want to learn more signs. Keep signing because our babies have so much to say and no way to say it with their mouths but they can use their hands!

Great book if you like touching stories, needs a larger sign dictionary
I started out with this book when my daughter was about 6 months.She has some language delay but started picking up some signs by 13 months and by 15 months she was picking up new ones daily (she couldn't speak any words).unfortunately, this book doesn't have a very exhaustive list of useful signs so you will have to get a different one eventually.

Great beginning & reference book.
Even though my son is 20 months old, we have gotten a lot of use out of this book.The illustrations are great and there are songs to sing in the back of the book that incorporate signs as well.We get a kick out of doing the butterfly song and it's really helped in his language development. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Development And Rearing    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. General    6. Infants    7. Interpersonal communication in    8. Interpersonal communication in children    9. Language    10. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/General    11. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    12. Nonverbal Communication    13. Nonverbal communication in chi    14. Nonverbal communication in children    15. Nonverbal communication in inf    16. Nonverbal communication in infants    17. Parenting - General    18. Family & Relationships / Parenting    19. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (78)

A unique book documenting an amazing journey
We received this book from my father-in-law as a gift after we announced my wife's pregnancy.It was really a very good choice for a gift to expectant parents.
A Child Is Born
The photographs in this new edition are amazing.I bought the book for my daughter, since I had followed her development in the edition I purchased in 1980.Every expectant mother should have this book!

This is an excellent book.
This is such a great book.It helped my 6 year-old son prepare for his little brother.He was so amazed by all the pictures that he actually wanted to watch his brother be born.Later on I was able to pass the book on to a friend who was pregnant for the first time.The book is so good I had to buy another one.I would recommend this book to everyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Childbirth    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. Health & Fitness    5. Pictorial works    6. Pregnancy    7. Pregnancy & Childbirth    8. Family & Relationships / Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Reviews (121)

A Lot of Courage Required...
A lot of people have been critical of Brooke Shields because she has an enormous amount of money and resources (that most of us don't have in order to get help), but I think that's the point of her story; despite the money, fame, and resources, she developed PPD.She was just as helpless as any woman suffering PPD and didn't know what to do. I think Ms. Shields was brave to write so candidly about her experience.Even though I didn't experience severe PPD, I did feel some depression after I had my baby. My birth was similar to Shields', except that I received a blood transfusion in order to save my life. After I came home from the hospital, I had irrational fears (that seemed so rational to me at the time) of having received contaminated blood, that prevented me from continuing to breastfeed, which further depressed me. I also cried in the shower because I thought I was a terrible mother for not breastfeeding, and I felt so alone and unworthy.My husband was supportive and tried to help, but he didn't know what to do to improve the situation. Fortunately, my depression gradually dissipated, and I felt happy, healthy, strong, and I knew then that I would be a great mom.
Baby Blues No Small Matter
This is a book I now keep in mind for my soon-to-be new mom friends just in case, that along with the numbers of womens' clinics at various hospitals and health centers that treat post-partum depression.
A must read for new mothers
This book actually helped me put into words what I was experiencing with postpartum depression.
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Subjects:  1. 1965-    2. Actors    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Depression    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    7. Family/Marriage    8. Health    9. Health & Fitness    10. Health/Fitness    11. Individual Actors And Actresses    12. Mental Depression    13. Patients    14. Postpartum depression    15. Pregnancy & Childbirth    16. Rich & Famous    17. Shields, Brooke,    18. United States    19. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (13)

Very helpful even though I didn't practice everything
I didn't take the hypnobirthing class and I have to admit that I didn't do all the exercises and certainly not with the frequency recommended, so I wasn't surprised that my labor was not completely pain-free.That being said, to the extent that I did practice the breathing in combination with pain-coping techniques from the "Birthing From Within" book, I felt very prepared for labor and my birth experience was really positive - I even smiled during labor even though the contractions started at about 5 minutes apart and quickly progressed to 2 minutes apart.The "pain" was bearable and I believe my ability to relax with the help of the CD early on in labor made the labor relatively short for a first timer (12 hours).The staff at the birth center was surprised with how "in control" I was.I attribute it to the wonderful explanation in this book of how important it is to relax during labor and my husband and my usage of co-chanting during each surge.My husband also really helped by coaching me to stay relaxed so our baby can come out and reminding me how each contraction ("surge") brings our baby closer to us (hypno birthing concepts).Another helpful thing was during pregnancy not letting people tell me scary birth stories (when someone seemed like they were about to start a scary story I used to say "only happy stories please").Reading a lot of positive birth stories was also helpful for me.
Glad I did the program, but birth was not pain-free
I poured myself into this program. I absolutely loved it. I started the book when I was 4 months pregnant. Because I was planning a homebirth, I wanted to be prepared. I found a teacher, did the class, practiced all the exercises with my husband, and listened to rainbow relaxation every night for the last 3 months of pregnancy. I truly believed that I would have a pain-free birth. Labor started on my due date, gently at first. I loved knowing what to do, how to breathe, what to visualize from the very beginning. I feel like labor was a little out of my control, and hypnobirthing teaches you the tools to move easily into an out of control situation, allowing it to take you where it needs to (birth!) while you are just focusing on the moment at hand; breathing and relaxing. My birth was at home and it was pretty textbook; 22 hours and 3 1/2 hours of pushing due to my daughters hand on her face. I had also practiced bikram yoga during my pregnancy, so had high hopes that between the yoga and hypnobirthing labor would have gone faster, but it didn't. I did feel pain. A LOT of it. As soon as I entered into active labor I was uncomfortable. The only visualization that worked was riding a wave and my cervix opening like a rose. I spent a lot of time in the tub with my husband. I did not ask to go to the hospital because the pain was too much. I spent the whole labor focused on my breathing techniques, but not in the altered, hypnotic state I had so easily slipped into while listening to rainbow relaxation before. I pushed my daughter out in one push. I had been pushing for so long that I wanted it over. She was healthy, bright and beautiful! I felt really let down after the birth, frustrated I had spent so much time following the book and tapes so completely. I didn't know what I had done wrong. That said, when I get pregnant again, I will do the program. And, although my birth was not pain-free, I used all the tools in this book. Looking back on my experience, hypnobirthing was a beacon of light in the dark unknown of labor.

This book is fabulous!Very helpful.
I loved the new edition of the book.After giving birth to my son in 2003 using HypnoBirthing I was thrilled that the new edition was out just in time for the birth of my daughter in August 2005. After a second successful HypnoBirth I'm hooked!
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Subjects:  1. Autogenic training    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Hypnotism in obstetrics    6. Natural childbirth    7. Pregnancy & Childbirth    8. Health & Fitness / Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Reviews (28)

Great book for the "alternative' mom
If you are into herbs and natural health and pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant this is a must read! Full of wonderful information and very well written. Was my favorite book during pregnancy and beyond.

Good book about herbal childbearing
I really found this book useful. I've had it for many years and was looking for an herbal book for childbearing when I got it. I have several herb books but like the fact that this one zeros in on one subject. I wasn't really interested in the part about aborting babies, though. All in all, the book is very readable and interesting.

A must have for any woman who is expecting.
I just ordered two copies of this wonderful book for my office.I have a small healing center and women who come to me are into a more holistic and natural way to experience pregnancy and childbirth.This book is a wonderful friend to keep handy throughout your pregnancy and birthing experience.Ms. Weed lists a number of herbal preparations to use for the varying issues that come up during the 'waiting' period and the birthing also.Try it.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    2. Formulae, receipts, prescriptions    3. Herbs    4. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    5. Medicine    6. Obstetrical pharmacology    7. Popular works    8. Pregnancy & Childbirth    9. Therapeutic use   

Reviews (6)

It's OK
This book had some good points and some bad points.All of the lists at the beginning were cute and fun and even could be helpful for some.I agree with a previous post that the meanings of the names sometimes sent you to another name, then another and another without ever giving you ameaning.All of the bizaar names would probably be helpful for those looking for a "stand-out" name.Also, I think the way the author reached 100,000 plus names was by listing every different spelling of each name as a different name instead of listing it under parenthesis as most books do.It just creates a lot of names to go through before you can find the ones you like.Basically, I think this would be a pretty good book for someone looking for an unusual name, but otherwise, get something else.

Not very useful
Considering the size of the book I was disappointed in the lack of information and meanings given. They are mostly one word meanings, if there is a meaning at all. Mostly it seems like it wants to take you in a big circle of reference from one name to the next never quite giving you what you are looking for. It wasn't helpful for me. I found "The Babyname Wizard" book A LOT more informative and helpful.

Great selection!
I received this book as a gift and at first I thought 100,000 names would be too many to look through, but the lists really helped me narrow things down. Plus, my husband and I had a lot of fun flipping to random pages and seeing what we'd find! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baby Names    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. Genealogy    6. Parent And Child    7. Family & Relationships / Baby Names   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (78)

My Favorite!
The Pregnancy Book is by far my favorite pregnancy book.This is the only one I sat down and read chapter by chapter.(I hated What to Expect When You Are Expecting.) This book gives a nice general month-by-month overview of what is going on with you and the baby.Each chapter covers how you may be feeling emotionally and physically, concerns you might have, how the baby is growing, topic of the month (nutrition, childbirth, tests etc.) and a diary section.
This IS the Book
This was my pregnancy bible. It had all of the information I needed and it wasn't scary. There are so many horror stories out there to frighten first time moms and so many books with dire advice that is little better than listening to old wives tales. The information in this book is presented in a thoughtful and non-judgemental manner and it really touches on all of the concerns pregnant women face, including working while pregnant and how to ask for pregnancy leave. My only criticism is that I wanted more pictures. I wanted to see more of how my baby was developping each week. That information is in there... just not enough of it to satisfy my insatiable curiosity about the new person I was carrying.

Useful all the way through
From the day I missed my period up until now with only a month to go until the birth, hardly a day has passed that I haven't consulted this book for something. It is information-packed, yet readable; reassuring, yet realistic; and gives a balanced perspective on potentially controversial things like homebirth and prenatal testing. Like most of the Sears books, it does have the unfortunate tendency to assume that its audience is made up of women in traditional, male-as-breadwinner marriages, and it does get overly corny at times. But those minor problems are easy to overlook in light of how terrific the rest of the book is. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Childbirth    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Pregnancy    6. Pregnancy & Childbirth    7. Women's Health - General   

Reviews (6)

Not my favorite
This is my fourth child and I was bored with my old pregnancy books.This book contains good information, but the writing style seemed strange.The author seems to have some "issues" that I found distracting.When talking about ultrasounds she says that "you might see your baby. . .frowning as if to say, 'You again?'"I guess she just seems very negative about pregnancy in general.
Excellent and Educational
I found this book to be an excellent reference and informative of my weekly progress, as well as what to expect in coming weeks.The color photos of the baby's progress are amazing, the section layout comprehensive, the glossary and relative questions helpful.I felt it was a bonus for Dr. Riley to cover post-partum and baby care, questions and information about the many pre-natal testing out there.It helps educate and inform without overloading the reader.
Not great
I don't care for the way this book is organized. I have only glanced at "What to Expect...", but the two books seem very similar, with small sections (paragraph-length or sometimes longer) in each chapter that are usually not in any obviously logical order, which makes it difficult to reference. The information is also pretty basic. I would say this reads more like tiny magazine articles than any comprehensive and useful guide to rely on in your pregnancy. I haven't found any other guide that really excites me, but the closest I've found is the "Mayo Clinic's Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy". That book gives all the same information you find in this plus more in a more logical format.
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Subjects:  1. Childbirth    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. Health & Fitness    5. Parenting - Motherhood    6. Popular works    7. Pregnancy    8. Pregnancy & Childbirth    9. Health & Fitness / Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Subjects:  1. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    2. Gynecology & Obstetrics    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Pregnancy & Childbirth    6. Sexual Instruction    7. Sexuality    8. Women's Health - General    9. Health & Fitness / Sexuality   

Editorial Review

The double whammy of successful infertility treatments and anincrease inthe number of women having children later in life has resulted in astaggering--but perhaps not surprising--phenomenon: a tremendousincreasein twin, triple, and quadruple births. Read more

Reviews (122)

Another living proof!
My twin babies were born 8lbs and 8lbs4oz at 38 weeks 3 days, and are as healthy as can be.Being someone who likes to know all the possible risks and be mentally prepared for them, this book gave me that.At the same time I actually found the book very comforting with milestones to look forward to (for example the head circumference diagram and footprint comparison of each month the babies stay inside the womb).I also followed Dr Luke's weight gain recommendation and packed on necessary pounds which I believe helped contributed to the high birth weight of the babies.I definitely recommend this book to pregnant moms of multiples!I have read other books on multiple pregnancies that were downright depressing and uncaring, and other light readings like "Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy", which was fun to read but not at all helpful for a high risk multiples pregnancy.Thanks Dr Luke and Tamara!!!I am so grateful for your book.

TWINS GALORE - the proof is in the pudding!
7 lbs 5 oz and 6 lbs 11 oz - huge, healthy, and full-term!! Think about it - how many parents of twins can actually (truthfully) say that?? I'm living the reality of my dreams and hopes and I owe it SOLELY to THIS BOOK. And let me also reassure you that the outcome of my twin pregnancy was NOT just a fluke - I worked very hard toward it, by reading, understanding and fully implementing the entire protocol that Dr. Luke recommends. Now that I glow as a proud mom of beautifull, completely healthy, remarkable twins, I owe it to the world to share my secret - if you are expecting twins or more, PLEASE read and follow this book!

Must have book if you are prego with multiples
I purchased this book when I first found out I was prego with triplets. I was quite distressed because my regular OB wanted me to reduce down to twins as he was sure I wouldn't be able to carry triplets to term (for trips)and healthy.I am also a petite woman (5ft)and he said "there isn't enough room in your uterus".I read this book in two days and was so encouraged by all the things expectant moms can do to increase their chances. So far, so good.This is the Bible for HOM moms.I have since spoken to other triplet moms and they too LOVE this book. I have referred to this book several times during the course of my pregancy and keep it by my bedside.This is a must have!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. Multiple birth    5. Multiple pregnancy    6. Parenting - General    7. Pregnancy & Childbirth    8. Quadruplets    9. Triplets    10. Twins    11. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (88)

Excellent book
There are so many books out there on pregnancy and birth.Most of them discuss the physical/medical aspects and what to expect at those levels.I read a variety of books in preparation for birth and in my opinion this is THE book to read in order to prepare mentally for birth (which is no less important than understanding the medical aspects).When I first got this book, I started reading it and then stopped because I didn't feel like doing some of the more artsy exercises and I read over some other exercises without really thinking them through.Luckily, my husband took this book to our vacation to Costa Rica and started reading me select parts.Reading and discussing the exercises together made all the difference.I would highly recommend reading through this with someone close (preferably your partner or labor coach).Though this book is particularly helpful for someone who wants a drug-free birth, I think also women who plan to take an epidural can benefit from it since there is a lot of mental preparedness that can make labor easier while you're still at home or before you can get the epidural.I practiced the pain-coping exercises with the ice cube as suggested in the book and that made me feel well prepared.In the end, what helped the most was co-chanting which I never would have thought of if I hadn't read about it in this book.So I feel that it's helpful to have a myriad of techniques to cope since you don't know what'll help the most.
Pam England is a gem! Great practical guide.
Good practical advice and excercises that can help prep you for the birthing process, whether you're going natural or assisted.

Need to heal from a traumatic birthing experience? Then get this book!
If you're going to build your birthing library with only a handful of titles, make this one of them. I found it tremendously supportive, especially because I was considering a VBAC and the author's experience of a first "failed" vaginal birth hit home with me. Her honesty healed a huge loneliness that I had been experiencing with the disappointment surrounding my unplanned cesarean with my first birth. I hadn't expected to find a book that dealt first with my fears around childbirth, and then with my disappointment about how my first birth had gone. THIS BOOK IS CHEAPER THAN THERAPY, you won't regret it from that aspect alone!
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Subjects:  1. Alternative treatment    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Childbirth    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Gynecology & Obstetrics    6. Health & Fitness    7. Holism    8. Pregnancy    9. Pregnancy & Childbirth    10. Psychology Of Special Subjects    11. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (94)

Works for me
This book is pretty good if you don't have a Bradley Instructor nearby.However, it's deffinately not all inclusive... I found myself a little fuzzy on the diet.The exercises were helpful in widening the pelvis, and preparing for labor.My only problem is in the insitance in waiting for spontaneous labor, it didn't happen for me, we did an ultrasound and it's pretty bad when I can tell on an ultrasound that things aren't so great.The information on all births being different should be handed out to all labor and delivery nurses because everyone kept swearing I wasn't in labor and that the baby wasn't coming until all at once within 30 min everything happened.The relaxation techniques really helped though.

I wish I had this with my 1st birth!
I would have questioned all the unnecessary interventions and avoided a c-section! This time around I'm having a VBAC, and I will have a completely natural labor thanks to this book and the Bradley classes.

Bradley Book was informative and helpful.
This book was very informative in my first pregnancy.My husband and I were unable to find a Bradley instructor in our area during our first pregnancy with our son, so we studied on our own.I found the authors to be straightforward, encouraging, and engaging.The pictures were very real and offered us a look at some real couples going through the experience together.I would recommend this book to any couple who are intent on having natural unmedicated birth.Although I ended up having an epidural due to a complication, I still pushed easily and had a safe quick vaginal delivery.The epidural was only in a short time as i had it administered in transitionand was told I was at 10 centimeters and could start pushing immediately after the nurse-anesthetist finished setting it up.I intend to have an unmedicated birth this time around and will use the Bradley techniques I learned from this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Childbirth    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Health & Fitness    5. Natural childbirth    6. Pregnancy & Childbirth    7. Health & Fitness / Pregnancy & Childbirth    8. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (7)

A good resource
I really liked the What to Eat when You're Expecting (an older edition of this book). This new edition has more recipes than the old book (and few, if any, repeats). I prefer the format of the old book for the nitty-gritty nutrition info.

Excellent basic nutrition guide w/ GREAT recipes!
I took this book out of the library, but decided to buy it because I wanted to own the recipes.There is a great variety of recipes for all meals of the day and snacks.Most of the recipes are lower fat and sugar and higher fiber and protein versions of your favs.They don't elimate the bad things, but they do limit it and work in more whole grains and veggies then I normally do in my cooking.
Reccomended, with reservations
After tossing the predecessor to this book in the garbage, I was a bit hesitant to fork over the cash for this new edition.I'm a bit ambivalent about my investment.It is a kindler, gentler version, though not as friendly as the Dr. William Sears series of books, which I highly reccommend for all things baby and family.(I wish they had a book on pregnancy nutrition . . . sigh)
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Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. Mothers    5. Nutrition    6. Nutritional aspects    7. Peer Pressure    8. Pregnancy    9. Pregnancy & Childbirth    10. Recipes    11. COOKING / Health & Healing / General    12. Family & Relationships / Parenting    13. HEALTH & FITNESS / Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (109)

Get this one
The Birth Book provides well balanced information that women *and* their support people need to be educated consumers of birthing medical care. (Keep in mind that any childbirth could potentially land a woman in the hospital.)
Wonderful Book, Wonderful Author
You really need to read this book.It is a trusted guide written by an author with a normal approach to birth!
More anti-hospital biased than seems, but good read
I bought this book with the impression that it fairly showed both sides of the natural vs. medicated birth debate. But it clearly leans toward natural births. But it is still a good read if you are trying to decide whether you are going natural or medicated. It makes the medical community seem more "evil" than reality. At least in my expereice, the hospital i gave birth at is very accomidating to the mother's wishes and encourages many natural practices first. SO this book can freak you out, and make you more fearful than need be. But yeah, this book helped me out, and was worth reading. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Childbirth    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Parenting - Child Rearing    6. Pregnancy & Childbirth    7. Family & Relationships / Child Care    8. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Editorial Review

The 9 months preceding and the 12 months following child birth are exciting, trying, confusing times; they are the months of many questions. You wonder about your itchy palms, morning sickness, fetus development, home midwife or hospital doctor choices, what to eat, amniocentesis, miscarriages, labor painkillers, maintaining your physical and emotional health after childbirth, and, not least, how to care for your growing, developing baby. A live-in pediatrician would be nice; a 750-page comprehensive reference guide is the next best solution. It won't eliminate anxiety, but it's a reassuring presence, and a soothing source of answers and explanations. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Good book, but appears out dated....
I was very excited to receive this book, and started reading it immediately.It is a large hard-cover edition, certainly making it feel as though it has all the information you'll ever need.I'm sure this book has tons of good information, but when I got to the nutrition section, I knew that the food pyramid they showed was out of date.I hadn't checked the copyright when I ordered the book and was disappointed to see that it was published in 1994!12 years old is pretty old when it comes to any medical/health information, and so I'm returning it for the more updated "Mayo Clinic Guide to a healthy Pregnancy".I would have liked the new version to also cover the first year of life like this book, but I need up-to-date information, or I won't trust it.

The Best
This is absolutely the best resource for anyone trying to conceive, pregnant, with an infant or just curious about the entire process.
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This is a wonderful book to have throughout your pregnancy and your child's first year.It has been a great help to me and my family.Yes, it is a thick book, but it has lots of great information.
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Subjects:  1. Care    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Childbirth    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Infants    6. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    7. Parenting    8. Parenting - Motherhood    9. Pregnancy    10. Pregnancy & Childbirth    11. Health & Fitness / Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Reviews (126)

A great book
I have purchased numerous pregnancy books over the past few months and out of all of them this is my absolute favorite.It is very informative not only about pregnancy but also conception.The author definitely knows her stuff.There is a lot of humor through out the book to help break up all of the medical talk.It also serves as a great reference guide.She has included tons of charts and web sites that all pregnant women will need to refer to numerous times through out their pregnancy.I highly suggest this book to anyone who is trying to conceive or is already pregnant.

Some good information between all the sarcasm
As a first time mother, I was looking for a book that would answer my seemingly endless list of questions. While this book does provide some good information, it is hard to decipher the facts from the sarcastic comments and attempts at wit. Every section and statement is worded in what I assume the author saw as a clever way, but after trying 5 or 6 topics, I gave up trying to get any useful information. If you're like me and are looking for a more straight-forward, well-researched book, try Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Glade B. Curtis. It is by far the best organized and most clearly worded pregnancy book I have read - having tried The Pregnancy Bible, What to Expect (too cynical and scary), as well as The Mother of all Pregnancy Books.

Awesome for soon-to-be-Mom!!!!
This book is loaded and I mean loaded with practical information for all you Moms to be.I found it so helpfull because it brought issues to light that had me and mom talking for hours.While the size of the book may look intimidating, it is written in a way that you can read it and understandand gain a whole lot of insight plus it put alot of my worries to rest. A MUST READ !!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Childbirth    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Popular works    7. Pregnancy    8. Pregnancy & Childbirth    9. Health & Fitness / General    10. Pregnancy, birth & baby care