My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis [Paperback]

Madeline Pecora Nugent (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

A comprehensive guide for parents who are unfortunately given the bad news regarding their preborn child with either an ultrasound or laboratory diagnosis of a potential or real congenital problem. It explains to them both secular and religious faithbased strategies on how to emotionally, psychologically and spiritually prepare for and assimilate the multiple and various emotions they will have to reconcile, as well as how to deal with the mixed messages they will be receiving from family members, friends, physicians, and their own inner conflicting feelings. My prayers have been answered in Madeline Pecora Nugents My Child, My Gift. From the Foreword by MARK X. LOWNEY "This volume is a must read for each parent, grandparent and friend. Nugent has answered every question asked regarding the pains and joys of motherhood. Madeline's words are written to mothers who crave honest counsel and anticipate earnest guidance. To call this book "Every Mother's Bible" would sound irreverent. But sincerely this is undoubtedly the most profound and complete guide to understanding what love means at the heart of becoming a mother. This treasure piece is essential to occupy every woman's library. TERRI GREEN Author of Simple Acts of Kindness Includes many insights and experiences of parents, along with bw photos of their children.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

MADELINE PECORA NUGENT, a wife, mother of 5 children, and grandmother of two has written five other books and over 250 articles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: New City Press (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565482913
• ISBN-13: 978-1565482913
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,237,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Treasure in Disguise, May 16, 2008

By 

Carol Blank (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis (Paperback)

Nugent focuses here on pregnancy and birth accompanied by an in utero diagnosis of a serious congenital problem. She reports that more than 800 conditions, including Down syndrome and anencephaly, can be diagnosed in utero today, and that as many as 90 percent of parents receiving such a diagnosis choose abortion. Those who continue the pregnancy are not heroes, Nugent writes, but "ordinary parents who are choosing to give their children every possible chance." Stories and photos from those families are linked together with brief commentary by the author of this remarkable book. The opening chapter, Finding Out, examines the lived experience of unexpected news, self-blame, questioning God, accepting disability as a natural part of life, and viewing the developing baby as "a treasure in disguise." Other chapters address tests and terminations, dealing with doctors, sharing the news, and the child who survives.

All of the solid information, advice, and first-person sharing are geared to help parents understand that "love, not intelligence, makes us human" and that every child deserves nurturing, not "an early good-bye" that brings death. I was particularly impressed with the content on dealing with doctors. Though a number of the parents quoted in this section had bad experiences with health care providers, the lessons they learned and additional advice from Nugent are extremely valuable. For example, she suggests that patients take a tape recorder to their appointments, and reminds parents that they may have to educate their doctor and hospital staff. Nugent writes, "Your doctor may never have delivered a child with your child's condition," to introduce a positive story from one parent who formulated her own birth plan and convinced the medical staff to follow it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ for Those Experiencing Prenatal Diagnosis, April 23, 2008

By 

Veggie Vixen (Way Down South) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis (Paperback)

My Child, My Gift is PHENOMENAL. I read it in one day and cried all the way through, but it was so inspiring.

I personally know people who will benefit tremendously from My Child, My Gift. It carries a message that helps provide comfort, guidance and even "permission" to a world of hurting people who desperately need to know that it's OK to move in a positive direction when experiencing the pain and confusion of a prenatal diagnosis. I believe this book will not only save and prolong lives, but will help people go through a superior, healthier, more "whole" process when they are faced with a prenatal diagnosis.

Madeline Pecora Nugent has done an incredible job and so have the parents who shared their sorrow, love and expertise in an effort to assure others that they are not alone and that they CAN go through such an experience in a way that honors not only God but also their child, their families and themselves. They teach us that pressing on is bearable and even preferable. I'm in awe.

My Child, My Gift would be a great book to give to parents, doctors, family members, co-workers, crisis pregnancy centers, perinatal hospices, etc.--anyone who deals with moms and dads who need TLC because of this issue. It is an especially useful, convenient resource for parents who could hand it out to those who are closest to them. This would be an efficient, loving and intelligent way of explaining and even validating their positive choices without actually having to personally do so.

My Child, My Gift is a blessing for those who already know what it means to truly love and for those who are learning how.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A look at these unfortunate parents who are faced with a troubling forecast for their children, July 12, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis (Paperback)

Medical science is an amazing thing. Mothers can often find out the gender of their child before it is born, but they can also find out terrible news before the baby comes into their life. "My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis" is a look at these unfortunate parents who are faced with a troubling forecast for their children. Seeking to give practical advice to mothers who are considering abortion, "My Child, My Gift" is also a spiritual guide, intended to bring comfort as well as straight talk to expectant mothers who find themselves in this difficult situation. "My Child, My Gift: A Positive Response to Serious Prenatal Diagnosis" is highly recommended for community library parenting collections.