The Miracle Year: An Expectant Parents' Guide to the Miraculous Six Months Before- And After- The Birth of Their First Baby [Paperback]

Lanie Carter (Author), Lauren Simon Ostrow (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1992

Most parenting books deal with either pregnancy or infant care. But in this comprehensive sourcebook, expectant and new parents can get both--beginning with the dramatic changes that occur after the first trimester. Lanie Carter guides the reader step-by-step through the maze of first-time parenthood.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

What these two titles have in common are a focus on the prenatal period of preparation, a warm, personal tone, nonsexist language, the use of humor to present information, and recognition of the husband's role in preparing for the baby. Both are subject to the same flaw: the explanations are sometimes oversimplified to the degree that they are not useful. Each work has qualities that distinguish it. From Here to Maternity is written from the perspective of a health care provider. Marshall is a registered nurse, and her book explores fully the issues and options in the area of prenatal planning. Its purpose is to enhance the expectant couple's ability to communicate knowledgeably with their health care team; the advice on being a wise consumer is helpful. Covering such topics as adjusting to the impact of pregnancy on emotions, sexuality, fitness, medication, and making decisions about the process of delivery, this title presents a great deal of information at a reasonable price. Appealing illustrations, useful charts and sidebars, a detailed index, and a bibliography of citations from the medical literature enhance its value. Recommended. In contrast, The Miracle Year is written from the perspective of a parenting educator, self-described as a "grandmother" who envisioned the book as a substitute for the advice that an extended family might have been able to provide. It presents a brief survey of what to expect, decisions to make, and ways to cope with difficulties in the six months before and after birth. Of interest is advice on budgeting and obtaining supplies for the baby. However, the author does not cover the possible complications that can arise from pregnancy and delivery. Index not seen. Costly for the amount of information conveyed.
- Kathryn Hammell Carpenter, Univ. of Illinois, Chicago
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Pocket Books (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067170432X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671704322
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,114,199 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for expectant mothers!, October 26, 2007

By 

Minnia Curtis (Carlsbad CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Miracle Year: An Expectant Parents' Guide to the Miraculous Six Months Before- And After- The Birth of Their First Baby (Paperback)

This was the best, most comforting book I read during my first pregnancy (and I read many:)) Lani Carter offers practical advice in a caring, relaxed manner meant to put the expectant mother at ease. She comments often on the many emotions of motherhood, in the reassuring way one would love to hear from an caring relative. This would be a great "Congratulations!" gift for any mother-to-be.

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of The Miracle Year, June 6, 2002

By 

Lori Bocchino (San Mateo, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Miracle Year: An Expectant Parents' Guide to the Miraculous Six Months Before- And After- The Birth of Their First Baby (Paperback)

When I was expecting my first child, I surveyed a lot of books as well as my friends with children for resources. I found this to be the book I referred to the most. It doesn't go into a lot of medical detail -- there are plenty of other books for that -- but it talks about the emotional and practical issues associated with being a first-time parent. It has a great list of what you really need (clothes, bedding, etc.) for your baby. It was like talking to a helpful nurse or grandmother, and very comforting. I give this to all my friends who are expecting their first child. One of the best things about it is that it doesn't talk about all the things that can go wrong with your pregnancy -- which many other pregnancy books do, which really feed the fears of expectant parents!

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't Waste Your Money, December 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Miracle Year: An Expectant Parents' Guide to the Miraculous Six Months Before- And After- The Birth of Their First Baby (Paperback)

This book covers the basics of childbirth and infant care, offering grandmotherly advice and encouragement to first-time parents. It is somewhat short of practical information, however, and some of the advice seems outdated. In particular, the discussion of circumcision is at best misleading, and at worst downright false. Bottom line: There are many excellent books available for expectant parents. "The Miracle Year" isn't one of them.