Customer Reviews

Fearless Pregnancy: Wisdom and Reassurance From a Doctor, a Midwife and a Mom

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Fearless Pregnancy is such a great source of positive reassuring sound advice. This was a very easy read. it takes out the mystery out of pregnancy and going to the Ob's office. Finally a book that calls pregnancy by it's name...a natural process..It lacked the "fear" factor and provided many options. I loved the summaries at the end of each chapter - so I can get to the point whenever I just wanted to review a topic. I wish I read this book before I was pregnant with my son. This book helped me get over the lingering guilt I had about my lifestyle before I foundout I was pregnant (sushi and sake dinners galore, coloring my hair and nails...). It even had fashion and vanity advice...something every pregnant woman thinks about (alot). This book is somewhere between a medical journal and the girlfriend's guide (Only better). I finished this book in a couple of days (which is fast for a busy working mom) and felt like I gained so much wisdom and positivity.

I was thrilled when a friend gave me this book in the early months of my pregnancy. It had a different voice than every other book I had been reading. It's underlying message is: RELAX - enjoy this - don't fret - all is well. Packed with alot of great information, I enjoyed this book, and found it to be the perfect companion and antidote to all the other "must-read" fear-based books on the market. Bravo!

This book is an excellent addition to the list of titles currently available on pregnancy. It provides a much-needed balance to the view of pregnancy as a medical condition, and instead espouses the view that pregnancy is a time of health and normalcy. The book mainly focuses on the many fears that pregnant women, especially first-time mothers, have about what may be dangerous for their unborn babies. The overall message is, there is little you can do to harm a developing fetus so realx and enjoy your pregnancy.

The book is well-organized and easy to read. The majority of the book is written in a colloquial style, with many non-scientific anecdotes from the primary author's own experiences and those of her friends and family. Interspersed throughout the book are sections written by the physician and midwife co-authors which provide more clinical and scientific information. Though the book does address some concerns that reflect its Southern California birthplace ("I'm worried I'll be a fashion 'don't'" "Can I use Botox in pregnancy?") it also addresses concerns that nearly all pregnant women have ("Can I have sex while I'm pregnant?"; "Did the drink I had before I knew I was pregnant harm my baby?"). The book will be most useful to women pregnant with their first babies, but even the most seasoned mother could probably find some useful new information in this book.
-Carolyn Havens Niemann, MSN, CNM

I found that this book was very helpful and it truly let you relax in the stages of pregnancy. In some of the reviews below the women obviously did not read the same book as I did. I felt that their reviews were ignorant based on the info. that was in the book. This is a book to help calm all new parents nerves and to let you know that some fears are ok and others aren't worth worrying about. This book was not written to discuss how to deal with the loss of a child during pregnancy or shortly after. If you want or need that type of information buy a different book. A great read and I would buy it for any of my friends that are expecting. A+

Even though my husband and I had been trying to get pregnant for two years, as soon as we got a positive pregnancy test, I was surprised to not feel ecstatic. Instead, I was up from 2am to 4am each night filled with fears of pregnancy and delivery. My sister loaned me this book and I read it in one day. It answered so many of my questions and dispelled so many myths that I was able to look at pregnancy from a more logical place, rather than viewing it as a medical emergency that creates 9 months of fear. I am so thankful for this book and for the peace it has brought me. I highly recommend it; especially if you are one of those people who has listened to the many negative stories about pregnancy that can rob you of the joy during this special time in your life.

My heart truly breaks for the reviewers who have had complicated or even horrific pregnancies, but their personal experiences shouldn't taint their reviews of this upbeat, helpful book. I had many of the typical pregnancy fears--from the relatively benign (morning sickness) to the worst case scenario (stillbirth.) With sound science and a kind-hearted approach, this book helped ease my fears tremendously. It's hard to believe it when you're IN the experience, but the reality is that an overwhelming majority of pregnancies will progress problem-free. The authors' obvious goal--to give confidence and peace-of-mind to expectant mothers like me--should be praised, not scorned. People die driving on the highway every day--should every book about cars HIGHLIGHT that fact? Or should they acknowledge that yes, most activities (including leaving your house in the morning and choosing to create a human life) carry some degree of risk... but that the payoffs, when and if they come, are tremendous? (After all, worrying about every little potential bump in the road won't make them go away.) Stressing the positive in an overwhelmingly negative world is NEVER a bad thing. Props to the authors helping women like me cope with an inately stressful experience with confidence and grace.

Though I think this book included a little too much on "fear myths" about stupid, unnecessary things, for the most part it was very reassuring and I think it is exactly what expectant mothers need to read in this day in age. There is a lot of fear mongering thrown at pregnant women now, and the fact is the human race has survived through much more hostile times and environments. It helps nothing for pregnant women to be scared about every single little thing, and this book helps reset one's frame of mind to be more reasonable.