Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. This is an excellent resource for those who wish to truly understand the medical decisions they will encounter during the course of a pregnancy. I now have two books that I will recommend to my patients:
*"What to Expect When You're Expecting"
*"The Smart Mother's Guide to a Better Pregnancy"

Christopher C. Swain, M.D.
President
OB Hospitalist Group, Inc
Greenville, S.C

After reviewing this book last summer I realized that a lot of my questions were answered regarding pregnancy. Many pregnancy books focus on month by month details but Dr. Galloway gives the reader more with thought provoking quizzes and bullet points of things you should know. Her book is beyond amazing and more than that it has made me an even smarter mother!

If you don't own a copy then you are missing the greatest pregnancy advice on the planet!

Dr. Burke-Galloway's book is clear, concise, and comprehensible. When I was pregnant with my first-born over 31 years ago, I was unaware of such a text that could be easily understood and applied. Her note on first becoming the best person you can be and partnering with health care providers is both crucial and empowering for the continual development of mother and child. It is my privilege to share this treasure with medical professionals and women of child-bearing age who have simply responded, "Wonderful, it's about time!"

I found Dr. Burke-Galloway presents the information in a format that is easy to read and understand. I found her ability to take such an enormous topic and allow the average person to digest it without feeling overwhelmed was very reassuring. I found the book a real treasure for a mother-to-be.