The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy: How to Minimize Risks, Avoid Complications, and Have a Healthy Baby [Paperback]

Linda Burke-Galloway MD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

From conception to birth and beyond, this helpful guide teaches expectant mothers and fathers how to avoid preventable medical errors and have a successful childbirth experience. The guide includes tips on how to investigate healthcare providers, what to insist on for a high-risk pregnancy, how to recognize and avoid labor-room problems, why "keepsake ultrasounds" are dangerous, how to cope with insurance companies that refuse procedures ordered by providers, and how to make a hospital accountable during admission. This important resource will transform pregnant couples from passive patients into empowered consumers in the medical market and will increase their chances of bringing home healthy and happy babies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway draws upon her years of training at Harlem Hospital Center, which is fast-paced, high-risk inner city hospital dealing in some of the more complicated clinical conditions in pregnancy. Through her years of experience in both academic training programs, as well as private practice, she shares with her readers her observations that may assist pregnant patients in minimizing their risks during the delicate stages of pregnancy."  —Dexter M. Page, MD, FACOG Director of Clinical Services, Atlanta Perinatal Associates

"Dr. Burke-Galloway is able to transpose scientific principles into easy laymen's terminology and yet give accurate and pertinent information concisely. Additionally, the mother is given guidance to assist in maneuvering through our present medical maze."  —Angela H. Todd, MD

"The book is a parent-friendly read, not intimidating or frightening in any way. I wish I had this book when I was pregnant because I would have taken more care in choosing a healthcare provider and my pregnancy would not have been so challenging."  —Cindy O'Connor, elementary school assistant principal, Brightwaters, NY

"The Smart Mother's Guide provides someone in a high risk pregnancy specific information regarding issues and discussions that she may face. The explanations are more detailed and in depth than typically provided and helped me understand more thoroughly some of the matters that I am currently discussing with my doctor. Through my several year journey, my husband and I have found that getting basic explanations on some of the more technical and difficult issues from certain physicians can be very challenging. Having information provided in a detailed but sensical and understandable manner is very helpful."  —Tara L. Gould, Esq., patient with a high-risk pregnancy

About the Author

Linda Burke-Galloway, MD, is a senior physician with the Florida Department of Health and a federal medical-malpractice consultant. She lives in Winter Springs, Florida.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Red Flags Publishing; 1 edition (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979016207
• ISBN-13: 978-0979016202
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,945,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Medically Knowledgeable yet Limited Perspective on Birth, May 30, 2009

By 

SSB (San Anselmo, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy: How to Minimize Risks, Avoid Complications, and Have a Healthy Baby (Paperback)

This book is well-intentioned but has a pretty limited, strictly medicalized point of view on birth. Any reference to midwifery and/or home birth seemed misleading and dismissive. For example, the author writes that women who have had their vaginal muscles massaged with oil by their midwives, in order to avoid an episiotomy, claim it leaves them 'too loose' after the birth and leaves it at that. No mention of kegels or anything. That's like blaming poor posture on getting a back massage.
Basically, the author is very knowledgeable regarding what conventional medicine has to offer but seems close-minded and even a little ignorant about natural birthing methods.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "It is a must read!", September 11, 2008

By 

Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy: How to Minimize Risks, Avoid Complications, and Have a Healthy Baby (Paperback)

The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy: How to Minimize Risks, Avoid Complications, and Have a Healthy Baby

A Review by
Stephen Matseoane, MD, FACOG, FACS
Former Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Harlem Hospital Center
Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Columbia University


I am delighted to write a review of a superb informative book whose bold title: The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy, demands attention, prepares and educates a mother for an obstetrical experience that will augment recommendations of the health care provider.

Dr. Galloway divides her book into 14 easy to read chapters and emphasizes the responsibilities of a skillful, attentive health care provider. She points out the useful contributions of an informed educated mother, whose every visit to the provider begins by asking a question is "my pregnancy okay?" The author having overcome adversity herself knows the strength of the women with an unborn child, is someone with a purpose, who has been called "forth to bring a gift for the benefit of mankind". Each of the 14 chapters ends with a summary list titled - "Key points you need to remember from this chapter" - a highly desirable style and format that assists the mother and links provider, hospital, health services strategies that assure successful pregnancy outcomes. In a chapter on first trimester pregnancy challenges the author explains a common symptoms of nausea and/or vomiting - called morning sickness and points out the importance of these symptoms that must be discussed with the provider to exclude more serious medical problems such as appendicitis.

The second trimester is sometimes considered the best period of the pregnancy because of infrequent episodes of nausea and vomiting but frequent bouts of fetal movements to the joy of the mother. The author points out that diagnostic tests must be discussed. The mother is advised to make a list of concerns and present these to the provider. The United States Department of Health and Human Services core functions essential in ensuring conditions necessary for people to live healthy lives include monitoring health status, diagnosing health problems informing and empowering people. The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy guides women in taking steps to facilitate a happy end result for mother and baby consistent with the core functions of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

The book reveals how the passion of one individual willing and able to use her extraordinary skills and vision can be a catalyst for quality obstetrical care and promote programs for woman and child health and disease prevention. Dr. Galloway's book written in friendly non-technical style gives excellent advice on how to asks questions and become an empowered informed mother who navigates the health care system with confidence. It is a must read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, November 1, 2008

By 

staceycat72 "Stacey" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy: How to Minimize Risks, Avoid Complications, and Have a Healthy Baby (Paperback)

This book provides a perspective unique to most pregnancy books--that of a medical malpractice consultant. The tone is never alarming (like the most popular book on pregnancy) but clear and empowering. There are many instances of "if your doctor tests you for 'z' and it is positive, he must follow up with test 'w'--no exceptions." This book would be especially helpful for women who seek care outside of major metropolitan areas.