Having Twins: A Parent's Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Early Childhood [Paperback]

Elizabeth Noble (Author), Leo Sorger (Editor), Louis G. Keith (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0395493382 | ISBN-13: 978-0395493380 | Publication Date: January 10, 1991 | Edition: 2nd

This complete guide to multiple pregnancy is now fully revised and brought up to date with a decade's advances in research, in understanding the psychology of parents and twins, and in the author's experise in guiding expectant and new parents through all aspects of having twins. More women than ever are having twins, and this book is ever more needed. And because every multiple pregnancy is by definition a special-needs pregnancy, the parents should have all the knowledge available to promote a successful outcome. Of particular interest in the revised edition are new chapters on prenatal psychology, prevention and treatment of premature delivery, twin bonding, and the experience of loss. The best and latest in prenatal care is stressed, with special attention to the importance of nutrition and physical preparation.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The well-received first edition ( LJ 11/15/80) served as a core book on the topic for many years. Now, Noble has revised and expanded this indispensable tool on the history and physiology of twinning. New material on prenatal care, birthing, bonding, and emotional coping provides updated information. The excellent section on nutrition has been enhanced to include modern, alternative choices, and the section on exercise remains unchanged and one of the best for multiple-birth mothers. Both physical and emotional needs are equally considered by Noble, as her realistic treatment of possible complications is balanced by her sensitive, and at times personal, insights. The bibliography, source list, and appendixes complement this highly recommended book.
- Mary Hemmings, Univ. of Calgary Law Lib., Alberta
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Elizabeth Noble is the author of seven books, including Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year, Childbirth with Insight, and Having Your Baby by Donor Insemination. She is the founder of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, and of the Maternal and Child Health Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books; 2nd edition (January 10, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395493382
• ISBN-13: 978-0395493380
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #308,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Twins & Multiples

More About the Author

Elizabeth Noble was born and raised in Australia, where she completed studies in physiotherapy, philosophy, and anthropology. She was an American Field Service Exchange Student to Tucson, AZ in 1961.

In 1973 after living abroad, she returned to the USA and founded the Section on Women's Health of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Her first book was Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year, now in a revised 4th edition. After its publication she was invited to create a video with MGM of an exercise program she designed for Marie Osmond during her first pregnancy. Two more books resulted: Marie Osmond's Exercises for Mothers-to-Be, and Marie Osmond's Exercises for Mothers and Babies.

She wrote the first book for expectant parents of multiples, now in its 3rd edition, Having Twins--and More. Her interest in psychology led her to write Primal Connections: How our Experiences from Conception to Birth Influence our Emotions, Behavior and Health and Childbirth with Insight. A fierce advocate for the rights of children, she wrote Having Your Baby by Donor Insemination and The Joy of Being a Boy.

Her decades of presenting seminars, and professional membership in National Speakers Association, honed her interest in communication. Her website, ennobler.net provides resources on international communication issues as does her latest book, Winners Speak Globish.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best technical information on twins, January 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Having Twins: A Parent's Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Early Childhood (Paperback)

This book, should be required reading for a multiple-birth pregnancy. Noble assumes you're looking for detailed information, and provides it. Unfortunately, having an unexpected multiple-birth pregnancy IS scary, and I don't think a chapter on death is out of place--particularly now that women are having higher-order multiples. I was actually grateful to read about other women who weren't especially thrilled to find out they were having twins. (Of course, many women who were absolutely thrilled were also included in the book.) It's a hard happiness for many women. Finding out other people had difficulty accepting the news helped me a great deal.

Noble's view on sea vegetables might seem a little weird, especially for people who've never traveled. Surprise--people are finding out that the "traditional" American diet may not be the healthiest, especially for a pregnant woman. I live in a rural area and wasn't able to get sea vegetables, but if you're sick of milk and cottage cheese, you'll try anything. The calcium requirements for a mother carrying multiples are amazing. She also is a great person to read if you feel pressured into "not eating" during pregnancy for fear of gaining too much weight. The health of the babies is what's paramount, and she does a great job of supporting women. Doctors in America are much more likely to do c-sections for multiples --that's a proven fact, and it's also been proven that might not be neccessary. The more informed you are, the better your choices. Get this book if you only buy one multiple-birth book--it's the most complete.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best advice for a healthy full-term twin pregnancy!, December 27, 2001

By 

boring (shelbyville, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Having Twins: A Parent's Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Early Childhood (Paperback)

My midwife advised us to get this book as soon as we found out we were expecting twins. I am a Lactation Consultant and already had it as a reference for clients.
I found the information to be extremly truthful and very informative. I too followed their advice on nutrition as also advised by my midwife. It was difficult to consume so many calories and protein but I did it for the health of my babies and myself.
While reading this book I found out why I was experiencing all these different things with my body that I never experienced with my other 4 births and pregnancies. I also was very prepared and informed of all the things to expect with multiples.
Between my midwife and this book I felt totally confident and positive about my pregnancy and birth. Without it I would have been in the dark and frightened!
I ended up delivering vaginally and totally natural at 39 weeks and 4 days. My b/g twins weighed 7lbs 14oz and 7lbs 15 oz. I never had any problems the whole pregnacy (absolutely NO BEDREST) and my babies stayed with me the whole time and went home with me. If I did not have such great resources the outcome may have not turned out so great!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the Best!, August 28, 2000

By 

K. Keyworth (East Lansing, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Having Twins: A Parent's Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Early Childhood (Paperback)

I bought this book back in 1991 when it was just published, and I was pregnant with twins. My twins are now 9 years old, and I have not seen a book since then that is as informative and emotionally holistic as Elizabeth Noble's HAVING TWINS. I followed her advice for weight gain and protein intake as well as whatever other advice I was able to accomodate. My twins were born 1 week AFTER their due date and 7 lbs 2oz and 7 lbs 4 oz. I guess you could say it really worked!

I felt the chapter on the death of a twin was completely appropriate. I appreciated being able to talk about that possibility and make plans for "what if." The chapter is tastefully written with deep respect for the reader. I found it extremely moving and useful.

I am just about to buy this book and give it to a friend of mine who is pregnant with triplets - super twins. If I had been able to find a better book, I would have bought it, but the writing and advice in Elizabeth Noble's book is as good today as it was 9 years ago when I bought it for myself.