Making Babies : The Science of Pregnancy [Hardcover]

David Bainbridge (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2001

Drawing on past speculation and present knowledge, reproductive biologist David Bainbridge conducts us through the forty weeks of a human pregnancy, from conception to breastfeeding, explaining the complex biology behind human gestation in a clear and unassuming manner.

Making Babies sets the latest findings in pregnancy biology in a challenging evolutionary, historical, and sociological context, proving that when it comes to drama, pregnancy has it all: sibling rivalry, a battle of the sexes, and a crisis of gender identity. Along the way, Bainbridge revisits some of the key puzzles about pregnancy: What's sex got to do with it? How does the fetus hijack its mother's immune system? What is the point, if any, of morning sickness? Just how does a fertilized ovum develop into eight pounds or so of baby, with ten fingers and ten toes? Does the baby or the mother control the onset of labor, and why is it such an ordeal for them both?

Entertaining and informative, Making Babies shows how the study of human pregnancy can help us understand our genesis as individuals and our evolution as a species, and provide insight into who we are and why we behave as we do. (20010801)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

While it's a safe bet that most readers know where babies come from, it's equally likely that they don't know the whole story. Reproductive biologist David Bainbridge fills them in with Making Babies, a witty and intriguing look at an experience so essential that we all go through it at least once. It would be all too easy for the author to get caught up in the intricacies of hormones and anatomy that have evolved from our egg-laying ancestors, but he softens the details with insights and examples from throughout the animal kingdom. Expectant parents might not like being compared to red deer at first, but most will warm to their shared experience. Examining big questions like "Why have sex?" and "How does the fetus change the mother?" is daunting, but Bainbridge guides the reader through the issues with confidence and humility. It's no substitute for a birds-and-bees chat, but Making Babies is perfect for those who want to deepen their understanding of what happens next. --Rob Lightner

From Library Journal

We often speak of the miracle of birth, but Bainbridge's book proves that the clich has substance. A reproductive biologist and veterinarian who teaches at the Royal Veterinary College in London, Bainbridge has written a fascinating account of pregnancy and birth for lay readers. He shows how pregnancy is an intimate relationship between mother and child involving cell differentiation, the immune system, and hormones. The book raises several interesting questions: how does the developing fetus take over its mother's body? Why does she not reject it as foreign tissue? Will it ever be possible to produce children without pregnancy? Bainbridge explains complex physiological processes with wit and clarity. Unlike traditional pregnancy books like What To Expect When You're Expecting, this study remains at the molecular level, concentrating on the intricate developmental process that includes pregnancy, birth, and lactation. Highly recommended for all collections. Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (September 28, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674006534
• ISBN-13: 978-0674006539
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,610 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An unusually detailed view of pregnancy, February 20, 2002

By 

Liz Chalmers "childbirth educator, birthzone.com" (Redmond, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Babies : The Science of Pregnancy (Hardcover)

I've read many pregnancy and birth books, but this one is unique. It goes into the how and why of human reproduction in tremendous detail, starting with why we even bother to reproduce sexually. He examines what happens at a cellular level during conception and details early embryonic development. He examines the role of evolution. He does go into various examples of things that can go wrong, so it might not be the best read for an anxious parent-to-be.

One criticism: I think in his purely scientific view, he misses the mystique and spirituality of producing babies. The last chapter is particularly flawed in this way. He talks about "the tyrannies of conception, pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding" as if these are things we would be better off without. I totally disagree.

Although deeply scientific, he writes clearly. "Making Babies" was an enjoyable, educational read. I recommend it to anyone who wants to get more information on human reproduction than a standard pregnancy book would cover.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A detailed, scientific look, January 29, 2004

By 

Arleen (Fayetteville, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Babies: The Science of Pregnancy (Paperback)

This book's subtitle "The Science of Making Babies" is completely accurate. The author delves into more evolutionary biology than I want or need to know, but it all makes for fascinating, if somewhat slow and clinical, reading. There are a few pictures, but they generally do not add to the ooh and ahh factor of the miracle of pregnancy. For that, I'd recommend "A Child Is Born" by Lennart Nilsson.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Pregnancy, May 2, 2008

By 

A. G. Maqueo "aline" (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Babies : The Science of Pregnancy (Hardcover)

I loved this book. It is not a guide about pregnancy in the "What to expect..." kind of way. It is instead a very detailed, fascinating narrative about the current state of knowledge on conception, fetal development and birth. This book satisfied my curiosity on the complex process that is procreation. I particularly liked the ease with which the narration flows. The language is simple and mostly non-technical, but it is also not "dumbed down", which is brilliant on the part of the author. As a scientist myself, I was delighted with the list of peer-reviewed journal references provided at the end. I will definitely consider gifting this book to all of my pregnant friends, although I would highly recommend it to non-pregnant ones as well.