Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide (medically updated) [Paperback]

Penny Simkin (Author), Janet Whalley (Author), Ann Keppler (Author), Janelle Durham (Author), April Bolding (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2008

If you only buy one childbirth book, this is the one...

The most complete. It covers all aspects of childbearing from conception through early infancy. It includes information on what to expect during pregnancy and birth and how you can work with your caregivers to make childbirth a happy and healthy experience.

The easiest to use. It is well organized for easy reading and quick reference. There are more than 45 charts and 150 photographs and illustrations to clarify the information -- more graphic aids than any other childbirth book.

The most up-to-date. It includes the latest information on clinical tests and procedures in pregnancy, childbirth, and early infancy. It also covers concerns regarding the emotional aspects of childbearing, the partner's role, comfort measures, high-risk pregnancies, medications, vaginal birth after cesarean, breastfeeding, and understanding infant behavior.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

If you only buy one childbirth book, this is the one...

The most complete. It covers all aspects of childbearing from conception through early infancy. It includes information on what to expect during pregnancy and birth and how you can work with your caregivers to make childbirth a happy and healthy experience.

The easiest to use. It is well organized for easy reading and quick reference. There are more than 45 charts and 150 photographs and illustrations to clarify the information-more graphic aids than any other childbirth book.

The most up-to-date. It includes the latest information on clinical tests and procedures in pregnancy, childbirth, and early infancy. It also covers concerns regarding the emotional aspects of childbearing, the partner's role, comfort measures, high-risk pregnancies, medications, vaginal birth after cesarean, breastfeeding, and understanding infant behavior. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Penny Simkin, a physical therapist, has been a childbirth educator and doula since 1968. She trains childbirth educators, doulas, and doula-trainers and frequently conducts workshops for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.

Janet Whalley, a registered nurse, has been a childbirth educator since 1975. She is the former executive director of the Childbirth Education Association of Seattle. She provides breastfeeding counseling for new mothers and teaches classes on newborn care.

Ann Keppler, a registered nurse, parish nurse, and lactation specialist, has taught childbirth classes and new-parent classes since 1975.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Meadowbrook; Original edition (July 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074321241X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743212410
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,217 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 109 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a GREAT book May 22, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

We looked at, and tried to read, many pregnancy books, including the big names ("What to expect...", The Sears' book, and the Unofficial guide) that you see recommended everywhere. None of them hold a candle to this book. The best of those seem to focus on comforting couples through the experience. Often presenting redundant information between months, and not going into very much physiological detail.

In contrast this book gave us what we were really looking for, honest to goodness data. Its written by professional childbirth educators, and is an education in itself. It's focused on the kind of in depth information your healthcare provider knows, and may or may not have time to tell you about. It won't give you advice on finding clothes that fit, it will tell you why your sense of taste totally changes, and what is going on in the body to cause that.

No amount of soft peddling is going to change the fact that being pregnant is like having your body abducted by aliens. What we wanted is a book to help us understand what was happening, so the seemingly unrelated changes made sense too. What we want to know is what are the aliens doing with my body, why, and are they going to put it back when they're done. This book helps answer a lot of that, even stuff we hadn't thought to wonder about yet.

If you're remotely technical, and like knowing how stuff works this is the best book we've found. However, it may not help much to validate your emotional mood swings, nor tell you when to ask for maternity leave.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars By far the best I've read! Very thorough and detailed. February 21, 2003

By jeninmaine

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really love this book!

I'm 4 months pregnant with my first child and I'm alternately scared to death and excited beyond belief. I've been soaking up information like crazy--getting books from the library, buying whatever looks good in the bookstore, and my midwife has given me a number of books to read, this being the most recent. Out of all of them, I think this one is the best.

It is extremely thorough, not just with clinical information, but also descriptions of how you might feel, both physically and emotionally as you progress through pregnancy, labor, and post-partum. It covers everything I've been asking myself about what's happening to me, the baby, and what I can expect. Most importantly it covers what you do with the baby once you give birth and take them home, enough to get you over the "What do I do?!" fear and allowing you to get settled in as a parent.

I also really like the focus on the birth partner as well as the pregnant woman; it's important to understand what both partners are going through during this highly confusing and magical time. I'm giving this book to my husband as soon as I'm finished reading it for the second time, as I want him to know what's going on with me and also let him know that I understand what might be going on with him. It's a great book for anyone who is involved in pregnancy in any way. After he's done with it, I plan to pass it on to our families to read.

The only thing I didn't like about the book was the way it was organized, to me some of the chapters seemed out of order. It may have been the way I was approaching it, or that I was looking for specific information that was different from the flow.... However, the chapters are very well laid out and titled, so it was easy to flip through the headers at the top of the page and find exactly the section I wanted, when I wanted it.

Overall, a very thoroughly researched and produced book. Laid out in a manner that's easy to read and navigate, not at all intimidating and also not sentimental or biased. I would highly recommend this book to ANYONE who is pregnant, thinking about getting pregnant, related to or friends with someone who is pregnant, anyone who is curious about how it works, generally everybody.

Don't hesitate to click the Add To Cart button and buy it now :) Read more ›

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great general reference August 8, 2003

By Lisa Manske

Format:Paperback

An excellent alternative to "What to Expect . . . "

Early in my pregnancy, I checked out almost every book in my local library on pregnancy. "What to Expect" went back in a week, and I now own this book, among others.

This book is very thorough and is an excellent reference to the physiological and emotional aspects of pregnancy and birth. I only gave it 4 stars, though, because it doesn't have enough information on natural childbirth, completely unmedicated. If you're planning a natural birth (rather than a managed delivery), you'll need and want additional resources.

I did find the tables listing various interventions with their benefits and risks very helpful. Penny Simpkin is extremely knowledgeable about pregnancy and birth. You should check out her other books as well, especially "The Birth Partner." My husband is totally engrossed with that book.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and intelligent book July 14, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I wish I had read this book sooner. I was given several books on pregnancy and childbirth by friends and relatives. My husband and I call "What to Expect" the "Panic" book. Most of the others are comforting but lack detail. In contrast, this book is very thoughtful - it offers multiple alternatives for specific situations and it tells you WHY you would decide one way or the other. Sometimes it recommends a course of action and other times it lays out the alternatives and their pros and cons. But it always treats the reader as an intelligent and thoughtful person. I expected most pregnancy books to be written that way, but unfortunately, this is the only one I have found that arms the reader with the "why" behind each option.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The book to educate and empower. September 26, 2001

By DaphneSLP

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

We all dream of the perfect birth. For me it included no epidural, quick birth, and no tearing. This, however, was not the case. Eventhough things didn't go as planned I was prepared for everything that happened and the experience, none the less, was wonderful. This book, which was recommended by my doula, gave me many insights into what was going on with my body and baby during my pregnancy, delivery and post partom. My mother in-law told me I knew too much going in to my delivery (referring to the knowledge I gained from all my reading). But I firmly believe there is empowerment through education. I think it is much better knowing than to go in not knowing like they did years ago. We are of a generation of educated and empowered women. This book will assist you in taking control of your birth and pregnancy. I recommend reading as much as possible, it's good to get different perspectives but if you were to read only one book this would be the one!