America's foremost baby and childcare experts tell you what to expect, month by month, from conception through birth In this uniquely authoritative and comprehensive guide, Dr. Bill and Martha Sears, the pediatrics specialists whose books on birth, babies, and parenting have become widely praised bestsellers, team up with one of America's leading obstetricians. The result: the definitive book on pregnancy for expectant parents today. The Pregnancy Book explains what is occurring in the womb step by step, so that you can better appreciate why your body behaves the way it does and why you feel the way you do. The topics covered include: * how your baby is growing, as well as how you may be changing, both physically and emotionally * concerns and questions you may have about tests and technology, genetic counseling, childbirth options, and bonding with your preborn baby * essential information on eating right for two * how to protect the womb environment and recognize potential household hazards * advice on working while pregnant-from informing your boss to dressing for the job * exercising and keeping fit during your pregnancy * selecting a childbirth class * helpful tips on everything from traveling while pregnant to overcoming morning sickness * and much more With a detailed special section on labor and delivery, a glossary of obstetrical terms, and a chapter covering "the tenth month"-postpartum-The Pregnancy Book is an unrivaled source of information, counsel, and comfort for every prospective parent.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
The Pregnancy Book is an excellent all-in-one guide to pregnancy from William and Martha Sears, creators of the concept of "attachment parenting." Each of the book's chapters represents a month, and deals with physical and emotional changes, describes the growth of the fetus, and discusses common concerns. The authors also focus on nutrition, exercise, information and support for home births and birthing centers, traveling while pregnant, how to avoid episiotomy, and so on. The approach is gentle, thorough, and includes more information than some month-by-month guides, which makes The Pregnancy Book an excellent choice for pregnant couples.
From Library Journal
The Searses, popular childcare experts and authors (e.g., Parenting the Fussy Baby and High-Need Child, LJ 8/96), have teamed up with obstetrician Holt to give us this work. Using a month-by-month format with nice illustrations that show normal fetal development, they discuss a wide range of pregnancy options without judgmental bias. Scattered throughout are helpful hints and stories from other pregnant mothers that give the book a comfortable feel. Unfortunately, adequate information on possible problems is missing from the text itself, though the preface does note that rare conditions are covered in an appendix (not available for review). A nice supplement to Arlene Eisenberg and Heidi Merkoff's What To Expect When You're Expecting (Workman, 1995. rev. ed.) and The Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy & Baby's First Year (LJ 1/95). Given the popularity of the authors, expect requests.?KellyJo Houtz Griffin, Auburn, Wash.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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174 of 178 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This pregnancy book is *much* better than the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book that is so often recommended to every pregnant woman out there. It is also much better than the other 'standard' pregnancy books you'll find.
This book is a complete and joyful guide to what happens during pregnancy - mentally, emotionally, and physically - to mom and baby. It has a great index; so if a specific symptom doesn't crop up in the exact month they cover it, you can easily look it up in the back and read about it. I found this guide very informative and supportive of everything I'm going through with my second pregnancy. [I wish I'd had this book for my first pregnancy, instead of that wretched "what to expect" book].
My one criticism of this book: the Sears' gloss over the pain that most women experience during labor. I didn't find the segment on labor very helpful or realistic. As a Childbirth Educator myself, I don't feel that anyone is doing pregnant women a favor by convicing them that labor doesn't hurt - that it is just 'pressure' or 'discomfort'. The reality is that for most women, labor IS painful - often extremely so. Women who seek an unmedicated birth need to prepare themselves to cope with and overcome this pain. And regardless of whether a woman expects to use medication or not, nobody is doing her any favors by misleading her about labor pain - she's not going to thank them when it hits her full on.
For preparing for labor and delivery, I *highly* recommend "Birthing From Within" by Pam England. It is much more realistic in preparing you for the "Real Thing" - and it is geared to help every woman work through her own issues and concerns about birthing. It is by far the most excellent book out there on labor and delivery.
Other than that small complaint - I think this is a *wonderful* guide to pregnancy - very supportive and comforting while being very honest.
116 of 119 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you're looking for a book that will treat you like an intelligent woman who deserves to be armed with the facts on important pregnancy-related issues, this is the book for you. Like The Unofficial Guide to Having A Baby (another book that I heartily recommend), it believes that pregnant women and their partners are capable of making their own decisions about breastfeeding and working, nutrition during pregnancy, and other issues that the authors of What To Expect tend to get very preachy about. The only thing I didn't like about the book was the month-by-month structure. Not all of the problems that the authors describe handily crop up during the month that they've arbitrarily slotted the topic into. Also, the coverage of certain topics is very sketchy: you won't find much helpful advice on coping with a urinary tract infection, for example. (The Unofficial Guide to Having A Baby, on the other hand, offers you a number of potential remedies: everything from drinking lots of cranberry juice to urinating right after intercourse to prevent your UTI from recurring.) Still, these are minor quibbles about an otherwise excellent book.
69 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is the ONLY one I needed, although I had others including the terrible "What to Expect" book. This book is a treat to read. Dr. Sears takes a positive approach so there's none of that alarmist tone that tends to find its way into so many books and conversations around the pregnant woman.
By the time it was "D-Day" for me, I truly believed that my delivery would go well and that I was ready for it. As a first time mom, I needed the affirmations found throughout this book that my body would do what it was supposed to do, and that I would be strong enough to go with whatever the day brought. The emphasis is on non-intervention and "natural" childbirth, but all of the possible interventions are discussed as well. Dr. Sears also writes about how interventions happen to the unsuspecting mom, and how to avoid them. I found it very empowering to have some information to bring to my doctor when discussing issues such as epidurals and episiotomy. I felt my positions regarding these personal choices were more respected because I had the information to back up my feelings.
The monthly format of the book is great. It's one of the few books I've found which treats the ninth month as the 8 week "month" it really can be.
I highly recommend this book to others and think it would make a great gift, too, since it's not preachy.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Ok book but confusing in its dating
As some reviewers have mentioned, the way the book dates your pregnancy is always 2 weeks behind the doctor's so at times it gets confusing - and when you're pregnant, a lot of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Belly2007
Great Book!
The Pregnancy Book is a Great Book! I definitely recommend this book to expecting mothers who want to learn about their pregnancy. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jillianbryan
A bit outdated
I found this book a good one to glance through as my first pregnancy book. I liked the early pictures and descriptions of the embryo, but, being Australian, the book was very much... Read more
Published 8 months ago by gilverchair
I agree: This is a much better book to get than What to Expect and...
I agree with other reviewers here...this book is so much better. It's comforting and educational to read especially for first time moms. Read more
Published 11 months ago by sarahg
the pregnancy book
It is easy to read but overall it feels like I am not getting anything that I don't already know, so about a few pages in it does get a little boring and therefore it is the best... Read more
Published 13 months ago by murka
Best Preganancy Book Out There
This is by far the BEST pregnancy book out there. I know the picture on the cover might seem outdated but please DO NOT let this lead you away from purchasing one of the best... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mom to two
Very well balanced
This book is a great for first time mothers wanting to learn about the changes going on in their body through the 40 week process of pregnancy. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Gloria Nash
A Good Amount of Info Without Overwhelming You
This book is nicely written. Straight to the point with all the info you need without overwhelming you (or even making you nervous). Read more
Published 19 months ago by BabyZen
Wonderful book with one major (and confusing) exception
I love this book. I have used it now in four pregnancies, and the information is wonderful. The index is complete with lots of different places to look up common pregnancy issues... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Genevieve Wagner
Good book to have!
This book was recommended to us by our midwife. I really like the different stories and experiences in the book. I would recommend any of the books from William and Martha Sears.
Published on April 14, 2010 by A. Fernandez
Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
YOU'RE PREGNANT! Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
updated due date, medical pain relief, birthing philosophy, preborn baby, professional labor support person, labor tubs, gestational glucose intolerance, prelabor contractions, satisfying birth, surgical birth, professional labor assistant, pregnancy dreams, birth wishes, pushing stage, feeling pregnant, middle trimester, kick count, birth center, birth attendant, labor progress, birth philosophy, labor assistants Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Braxton Hicks, Down Syndrome, North America, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, The Birth Book, Balanced Mind-set About Pain Relief, Labor Tip, United States, Department of Labor, The Bradley Method New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
YOU'RE PREGNANT! Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
updated due date, medical pain relief, birthing philosophy, preborn baby, professional labor support person, labor tubs, gestational glucose intolerance, prelabor contractions, satisfying birth, surgical birth, professional labor assistant, pregnancy dreams, birth wishes, pushing stage, feeling pregnant, middle trimester, kick count, birth center, birth attendant, labor progress, birth philosophy, labor assistants Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Braxton Hicks, Down Syndrome, North America, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, The Birth Book, Balanced Mind-set About Pain Relief, Labor Tip, United States, Department of Labor, The Bradley Method New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 9
books:
See all 9 books this book cites
34
books
cite this book:
See all 34 books citing this book
- Drugs in Pregnancy & Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal & Neonatal Risk by Roger K. Freeman in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- A Child Is Born by Lennart Nilsson in Back Matter
- Becoming a Father: How to Nurture and Enjoy Your Family (Growing Family) by William Sears in Front Matter
- Husband-Coached Childbirth : The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley on page 236
- Childbirth without fear;: The original approach to natural childbirth by Grantly Dick-Read on page 302
See all 9 books this book cites
- Christian Womans GT Childbirth by Debra Evans in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood: Ten Ways to Get Your Family on the Right Nutritional Track (Sears Parenting Library) by William Sears in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two (Revised and Updated Edition) by William Sears in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- Journey into Motherhood: Inspirational Stories of Natural Birth by Sheri L. Menelli on page 122, and Back Matter
- How to Have a Baby and Still Live in the Real World: A Totally Candid Guide to the Whole Deal by Jane Symons in Back Matter
See all 34 books citing this book
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