The Morning Sickness Companion (Paperback)

~ (Author), Lynn Friedman M.D. (Foreword) "Talk about a rude awakening!..." (more)
Key Phrases: sickness companion, suffering morning sickness, pregnancy sickness, United States, Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Little Advice (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pregnant women will sigh with relief (likely in between retches and dry heaves) when they read Kaledin's breezy been-there, done-that look at an under-examined aspect of pregnancy. The medical correspondent for the CBS Evening News deftly dispels the myth of crackers as a panacea for morning sickness in the first few pages, and then goes to address other, ahem, misconceptions about the illness, including that it occurs only in the morning and that copious vomiting must harm a fetus. Beyond this, the book offers a slew of personal anecdotes from women who have suffered through what's known clinically as Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy (NVP), and some practical advice for coping with prolonged nausea: the suggested stretches with accompanying photos and the Morning-Sickness Survival Kit are especially useful. Readers looking for hard science, though, should turn elsewhere. While it contains some data and medical facts, "the whole point of this book," as Kaledin puts it, "is to make people feel better." By that measure it succeeds: those who are already expecting will appreciate the sisterly reassurances, while those who are still considering pregnancy will wonder why this grittier side of the nine-month glow is rarely discussed. The structure is somewhat loose, and the proliferation of bold words in capital letters followed by exclamation points seems at times a bit, well, hysterical, but this is nevertheless a valuable collection of advice, ideas and plain, old-fashioned sympathy.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

It’s frustrating and a nuisance---and it can be a major obstacle to experiencing the joy of pregnancy. But morning sickness doesn’t always strike in the morning, and for many women it doesn’t even strike---it’s an ever-present part of their pregnancy, with symptoms ranging from mild nausea and exhaustion to crippling depression and physical illness.

We all know the standard suggestions---crackers and tea, Jell-O and ginger ale---but when they don’t seem like enough, what can women really do to manage their symptoms and recover the happiness their pregnancy should bring? As debilitating as morning sickness is, we don’t hear much about it. But finally, just when it seems as though there’s nothing out there, women have somewhere to turn.

Elizabeth Kaledin’s The Morning Sickness Companion is a book by and for women suffering morning sickness. Morning sickness is a reality of pregnancy---_ of women are affected---and this book is dedicated to them. It fills a major void in pregnancy literature, providing a brief history of morning sickness, all the latest scientific thinking, research on its emotional toll, and lots of reassuring tips and advice from other women about what they ate, how sick they really were, and how to survive, since the fact is it is nearly inevitable. Engaging, warm, often funny, and always informative, The Morning Sickness Companion offers women who are suffering the wisdom and comfort they really need.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (April 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312284896
• ISBN-13: 978-0312284893
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #622,785 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a good "Companion" for the Sickie, March 24, 2003

By	H. Ingram (Southeastern USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been pregnant 3 times and have been sick every time. Some pregnancies were worse than others. During my last pregnancy I threw up every day, several times a day, until my 20th week. I have a sister who stays sick until delivery. "Morning Sickness" lasts all day for me and feels more like sea sickness and the flu combined. I have read many books available on the subject and have tried many things. It is no laughing matter and can be made worse by the feeling that you are all alone and no one understands your misery.
Elizabeth Kaledin is a woman who knows what she is talking about. She has experienced the wretchedness of morning sickness in her 2 pregnancies. This book covers all the bases, in my opinion, with ideas for relief that cover a wide range. But even more valuable are the "testimonials" from other woman who have experienced sickness. These women candidly share their experiences (most of which I could relate to) as well as what worked or didn't work for them. Some stories were actually amusing, and I enjoyed Ms. Kaledin's candor and warmth. This book will help you realize you are not alone in dealing with this sometimes debilitating ailment and offers compassion and ideas for relief.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm a survivor:-), July 17, 2003

By	"judahsmamma" (Bardstown, KY United States) - See all my reviews

What a great book!!! I experienced hypermesis during my first pregnancy, and it was truly horible. I couldn't get out of bed for two months. My husband and I are currently planning our second child,( It is worth going through a second time.:-)and admittedly I'm terrified of spending another two months in bed, eating nothing but apples, and ice chips.

This book gave me strength. Just knowing others were feeling, and surviving the same thing. The personal experiences, had me laughing till I cried. And the tips, and medical research information were truly enlightening.

I heartily recommend this book for anyone surviving, or a survivor of "all day sickness".

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Morning" Sickness wearing you down?, August 6, 2006

By	Jaimee (Towson, MD) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I am now in my 13th week of morning sickness and I'm finding it difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The continuous nausea beats you down until you feel like you're all alone and there is no hope for relief. This book, unlike every other pregnancy book that I've read, really addresses all the issues surrounding the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Elizabeth Kaledin is extremely knowledgable and uses humor and empathy to reach out to women going through this difficult time. She offers advice, personal stories, and testamonials from other women throughout the book. She doesn't gloss over of emotional aspects like so many other authors (and doctors). I found it all extremely comforting and it helped me to feel less alone and hopeless. I highly recommend this to all women (and partners) going through "morning" sickness.