25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clearly not for everyone... Perfect for us., April 21, 2006
This review is from: Fearless Pregnancy: Wisdom and Reassurance From a Doctor, a Midwife and a Mom (Paperback)
When it comes to my wife and her health, the words "neurotic" and "obsessive" come to mind. She gets on WebMD every time she has so much as a sniffle, and has convinced herself that she has everything from cancer to SARS to a brain tumor.
My wife and I found out we were pregnant for the first time just a few days ago. So, as soon as we were prepared to deal with it, we headed to the bookstore and found this title. Within the first three chapters, the authors had addressed fears ranging from the biggest general health issues, to the tests which are available and why you may or may not want them (answering the question for her, "I'm 34 years old, why won't they give me an amniocentesis?"), to how to tell a close friend who has been trying (hard) to get pregnant for some time that this "just sorta happened" for us. It's like the authors were inside her head.
Every parent should be fully aware of the risks involved in pregnancy. Bad things do happen, and we all know someone (or know someone who knows someone) to whom the worst possible things have happened. But many of us need the encouragement of someone authoritative who can remind us that these things are rare exceptions, and that there are some things you can control and some things you can't. "Instead of obsessing about your pregnancy," the authors remind us, "consider obsessing over parenting. That situation lasts longer, and the payoff for being prepared will likely be greater."
Many of the critics of this book seem to be response to the premise of the title. Of course there is no such thing as a "fearless pregnancy" -- if one were to read as far as the first page of the book, one would find that the authors agree:
"The key is that the fear must be valid, and it must be used properly -- to inquire, explore, and act wisely."
By no means do I believe that this book is intended to be a comprehensive reference. Perhaps the book's subtitle more accurately reflects its content: "Wisdom and Reassurance From a Doctor, a Midwife and a Mom."
It's perfect for us because this is our first pregnancy, and it will not be the only pregnancy book on our shelves. It is true that this book does not address the devastating realities for those families who have experienced loss or complication (but by no means does it attempt to diminish or dismiss these experiences, either). If you have previously experienced a difficult pregnancy or loss, this book will most likely not address your fears about getting pregnant again.
Nonetheless, for anyone simply trying to get a grip on what can be one of the scariest things to happen to you for the first time, we highly recommend this book.
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Realizing Fears, August 19, 2005
This review is from: Fearless Pregnancy: Wisdom and Reassurance From a Doctor, a Midwife and a Mom (Paperback)
I would recommend this book to anyone experiencing their first pregnancy. I don't believe in one book for all purposes, but this book filled a void left by so many of the books I've been reading. I am fortunate to be in the early stages of a relatively easy pregnancy. However, no pregnancy is "easy" as there are so many issues that a woman faces as she undergoes the transition to mother. I hesitated to read this book because I thought "fear" sounded so silly...what's there to be afraid of? Then I realized as I read the first few chapters that I have been afraid of so many of the emotional changes I'm undergoing. This is the first book I've read that addresses a pregnant woman's emotions in a thoughtful, mature way.
So much of the advice we are given while pregnant is "fear-based" and you start to operate with this sense that all things that are potential dangers rate a 10 on the risk scale. They don't. This book lends some sanity to that assumption and reminds us that as intelligent women, with a little care and mindfulness, we will do just fine. I won't waste my time reading the books that spend hours discussing things that probably won't happen and then worrying about them as though they will. I will do my research if and when they arise so I can make informed decisions. I will invest my time instead talking through the emotional changes that I am facing with my husband so that he understands them and me, and we can get through this change together as a team.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for worriers!, March 31, 2006
This review is from: Fearless Pregnancy: Wisdom and Reassurance From a Doctor, a Midwife and a Mom (Paperback)
This is my favorite pregnancy book that I've read so far--and I've read quite a few. So many of the other books frightened me with all the things that could go wrong, even though those things are very rare. There's so much fear-mongering in the media these days, and with other pregnancy books, that this book was a delight and a comfort!
Thanks to the authors for a great, comforting pregnancy companion.
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