A Child Is Born [Hardcover]

Lennart Nilsson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0385302371 | ISBN-13: 978-0385302371 | Edition: 1

This completely revised edition of the beloved international classic is now entirely in color, with historic, never-before-seen photos in every chapter and an entirely new text.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this latest edition of a classic originally published almost 40 years ago, photographer Nilsson and obstetrician Hamberger explore the miracle of birth, from attraction between a man and a woman to fertilization, pregnancy, labor and delivery; they also discuss infertility and developments in IVF and other treatments. Over 350 new photographs have been added to the fourth edition, including in utero pictures captured with endoscopy and three-dimensional ultrasound technology. Nilsson zooms in on sperm racing towards the egg, the brand-new zygote, the embryo clinging to the lining of the uterus, a tadpole-like fetus and the remarkably developed ear of a 18-week old fetus, among other moments in the process of human reproduction. With Hamberger's updated text on guidance for new parents, progress in fertility treatments, genetics and pregnancy health, the volume should continue to be a vivid reference for the whole family.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

YA-- Completely revised, this book features an all new text and almost all new full-color photos. However, it is not the end-all for books dealing with childbirth. The subject of Chorionic Villus Sampling or CVS (a pregnancy test for damaged chromosomes such as Down's, etc.) is depicted here as similar to amniocentesis, inserting the needle into the abdomen to withdraw a villi from the placenta. Frequently in the U. S. the procedure is performed using a catheter inserted through the cervix. Also, the book does not discuss the increased risk of CVS over amniocentesis. However, the breathtaking photos and comprehensive text make it a must for all libraries.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press; 1 edition (September 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385302371
• ISBN-13: 978-0385302371
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (164 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #830,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mindblowing Photography of Babies in the Womb (and info too), June 19, 2003

By 

Neith Juch (Massachusetts, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Child is Born (Paperback)

Lennart Nilsson's amazing photography of life in the womb is gathered together into this book to help anyone understand the miracle of life. Unlike other books about pregnancy, this book deals with the child's development rather than the mother's, and as such can be appreciated by all.

If you are pregnant, know someone who is, or just want to know about babies in the womb, I highly recommend at least leafing thru the book in your local bookstore... you'll most likely buy it as soon as you see it, so be prepared! This is also an excellent gift for anyone who is pregnant!

We used this book to educate all our friends about pregnancy and later to show my 18 month old son what those twin babies in mommy's belly were looking like. My parents used an earlier version of this book to help my sister and I prepare for the birth of our baby brother.

Full color photographs of inutero babies fill the pages, going from preconception chapters on reproduction, through each week of life, all the way to the birth of the baby. Week by week, you can look at what a babies' development should be, learn when the ears and arms develop (as well as many other parts), etc.

The photography is amazing, crisper and clearer that the naked eye looking at a baby out of the womb. The beauty is something akin to the brilliant images that the Hubble Space Telescope has shot back to Earth. The discoveries that you will make seem endless (Did you know that at 4 1/2 weeks we all look like some prehistoric tentacle bearing sea creature?).

There is also a video out called "The Miracle of Life" that has Lennart Nilsson's videos of inutero babies that is an incredible learning tool as well. Most good libraries should have it.

Oh, the only real downfalls are that the photos of people outside the womb have that cheesy 70s/80s look to them, no twins inutero, and you will probably wear out the binding on your book because it is so spectacular.

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent pictures, March 13, 2000

By 

Amanda (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Child is Born (Paperback)

If you want to know what the baby growing inside of you looks like, this is the book for you. A Child is Born has been a part of our pregnancy library since we were pregnant with our first child. My husband and I followed the growth of our baby through its detailed pictures. During our next three pregnancies, our children were thrilled to see what their sibling-to-be looked like as each week of the pregnancy progressed. A great book for the whole family. I also recommend The Pregnancy Book for lots of general information about being pregnant; She's Having a Baby and I'm Having a Breakdown for a look at pregnancy from the eyes of the father-to-be; and We're Pregnant! for a down-to-earth look at life as an expectant couple. Read and enjoy.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars colorful, emotional, June 2, 2003

By 

Kaes Ali (Toronto-Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Child is Born (Paperback)

an absolutely remarkable collection of photographs archiving what happens till and after a child is born. makes your heart jumb when you see this magnificent miracle of human creation, how 2 cells turn into this beautifully designed creature. it doesn't neglect the emotional aspect of each stage in pregnancy. it shows you how the child is created, how he develops in stunning photos, and even during delivery; the difficult hours of labor. very enjoying to go through it with your wife specially if she is pregnant.