The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: Tips and Techniques from Conception Through Birth: How to Stay Sane and Take Care of Yourself [Paperback]

Rachel Pepper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians offers a holistic, lesbian-specific approach to pregnancy -- from an explanation of fertility cycles and how to select a sperm donor to a straightforward account of the stages of pregnancy and the body's responses. The book includes advice on the care of a newborn baby and tips for selecting a lesbian-friendly pediatrician.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This lively and readable book provides basic pregnancy and preconception advice for lesbians and their partners. Concentrating on topics of special interest to lesbian families--such as choosing an anonymous donor, drafting agreements with known donors, and defining the nonbiological mother's parenting role--it also suggests how and when to inseminate and walks the reader through a normal full-term pregnancy and delivery. Despite its title, however, the book cannot really substitute for a comprehensive guide to pregnancy along the lines of What to Expect When You're Expecting, and the breezy section on labor will be of little use when you feel mysterious twinges in your 39th week (or your 29th). This would be best as a first book to buy when considering pregnancy, or as an addition to other, more detailed guides. (However, the section on sex during pregnancy does provide lesbian-specific advice unlikely to be found anywhere else.) --Regina Marler

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Cleis Press (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573440809
• ISBN-13: 978-1573440806
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #635,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Parenting & Families

More About the Author

Rachel Pepper is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians, and co-author of The Gay and Lesbian Guide to College Life, and The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals. An experienced professional journalist and the long-standing book editor for Curve Magazine, Rachel lives in the Bay Area with her partner Kellen and daughter Frances. She can be directly contacted at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect book for lesbians planning to have a family., November 17, 1999

By 

Josephine M. Victor (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: Tips and Techniques from Conception Through Birth: How to Stay Sane and Take Care of Yourself (Paperback)

We purchased this book because we had so many different questions and concerns and this book definately had the answers to all of our questions. We have had this book for a few months and we open it almost everyday. It walks you through the moment you decide to be parents to the moment you deliver. It's a great book, Ms. Pepper has combined knowledge and support into an excellent book. It's a must have for lesbian moms to be, as well as single moms to be. We love the book and we've recommend it to all of our friends.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource!, December 23, 2001

By 

"angelcitymoms" (Los Angeles, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: Tips and Techniques from Conception Through Birth: How to Stay Sane and Take Care of Yourself (Paperback)

I found this book to be especially helpful during the trying-to-conceive and early pregnancy phases. Once my pregnancy was well underway, I relied more heavily upon other resources for more complete pregnancy info. Nevertheless, this book was absolutely indispensable to me during the emotionally challenging process of selecting a donor, using intrauterine insemination, managing medical issues (infertility, health insurance, etc.), and coping with early setbacks. The numerous quotes from others who have "been there" helped to normalize my feelings and experiences, while the author's matter of fact tone demystified the process and helped me know what to expect next. The tips for staying sane while trying were all relevant and useful. I read this book over and over for comfort when my partner and I felt like the only ones who'd ever felt what we were feeling, and for information about choices others have made under similar circumstances. A truly useful, comforting, practical and essential book for any lesbians trying to conceive. Highly recommended!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a must have!, March 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: Tips and Techniques from Conception Through Birth: How to Stay Sane and Take Care of Yourself (Paperback)

This is a well-written, comprehensive account of what you can expect at every step. Rachel is open, honest, and non-judgemental, and really helps us understand what we're getting into--both as parents and as lesbians. This book made me think and made me laugh. I first got it through the library, but decided I had to have it for my own collection. I highly recommend it!