Mothering Magazine's Having a Baby, Naturally: The Mothering Magazine Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth (Paperback)

by Peggy O'Mara (Author), Jackie Facciolo (Illustrator), Wendy Ponte (Contributor) "No matter how much you have been looking forward to having a baby, it still takes you by surprise..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, World Health Organization, What's Happening (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For more than twenty-five years, Mothering magazine has captured an audience of educated women who appreciate its "we'll inform, you choose" approach to parenting. Having a Baby, Naturally reflects this spirit with straightforward, uncensored information about pregnancy and childbirth, addressing common concerns and questions in a compassionate, nonjudgmental style.

Written by Peggy O'Mara, the longtime publisher, editor, and owner of Mothering magazine, it synthesizes the best theories and safest practices used in natural childbirth, including recommendations from the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Throughout, O'Mara reinforces her belief that each woman's pregnancy and birth experience is a one-of-a-kind event. She covers such topics as:

Nutrition, diet, and exercise

Emotional self-awareness during and after pregnancy

A trimester-by-trimester guide to what is happening in your body and your child's

Birth choices -- offering suggestions, not "rules"

Pain medication alternatives

Birth locations, from hospitals to home birth

Relieving morning sickness with natural remedies

Prenatal testing

Breastfeeding

Prematurity and multiple births

Balancing work and family

The father's role during pregnancy and beyond

Difficult subjects, such as birth defects, miscarriages, and postpartum depression, are also treated with sensitivity and candor.

Finally, a book for the thinking woman who believes in her own inherent capacity to make smart, informed decisions about her pregnancy and birth, just as she makes in other areas of her life. Having a Baby, Naturally is a celebration of childbirth and an accurate and objective guide to helping women fortify their spirits, develop trust in their bodies, and make the best possible choices to protect their new baby's health.

About the Author

Peggy O?Mara has been the publisher, editor, and owner of Mothering magazine since 1980. A dynamic speaker, she has lectured and conducted workshops on natural family topics in conjunction with organizations such as the Omega Institute, Esalen, La Leche League International, Lamaze International, and Bioneers.

She is the author of Natural Family Living and the editor of Vaccinations: The Issue of Our Times.

Peggy O?Mara is the mother of four children: Lally, 29; Finnie, 27; Bram, 25; and Nora, 21.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Atria; 1 edition (August 5, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743439635
• ISBN-13: 978-0743439633
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #339,452 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent comprehensive resource for all pregnancies, July 26, 2006

By	californiagirl (California USA) - See all my reviews

I received this book as a gift and it has become one of my favorite prenatal books so far. I've read the book cover to cover because it was so extremely interesting and very comprehensive that I couldn't put it down! It covers all the questions I've had as a first-timer in a very thorough way. Even moms who've given birth before can learn alot by all the info provided by this book. Basically the book will discuss a topic such as episiotomies by explaining the history of them and how they originated, what your experience is and what the risks are, in what instances might they occur, how to avoid one (a list of things to do beforehand), and if you do tear naturally what happens next. I like how when it discusses what an Ultrasound is, it not only explains what it is, but how it works, what your experience will be like on the table, how safe it is based on studies available, how useful it is during pregnancy, and when it is unnecessary. This is how the book covers all the topics: in a very thorough way. Other highlights for me were the statistics provided with the supporting info. For example, it will say that you need 27mg of Iron and then will list food choices and serving sizes to achieve that. I love how remedies are always provided for common prenatal concerns such as nausea, poor self-image, labor fears, sexuality, post-partum, etc. The book discusses sexuality and then gives you a list of ideas to help with issues you may be experiencing. It also sprinkles a couple illustrations of stretches or poses that are helpful during pregnancy with directions. I also love the side boxes throughout the book that give little tips like how to squat, aromatherapy, pregnancy affirmations to say each day, natural soothers, etc.

It takes the fear out of pregnancy by providing so much useful and practical information for anyone who is planning on being pregnant, those that are supporting a pregnant partner, and those that are actually pregnant. I just can't imagine NOT having this book, it's an invaluable resource for me. I have too many questions and fears and this book seemed to answer them and calm me down.

Other books I highly recommend are the "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" (Goer/Wheeler) midwife perspective that discusses the pros and cons of typical medical intervention, and my weekly favorite "Your Pregnancy Week by Week" (2004, Dr. Glade Curtis OBGYN/Judith Schuler) And incredible book that tells what parts of the baby are developing each week, as well as an actual size illustration of your baby's size, changes in yourself, and other important info each week.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book if you're looking at all the options, May 28, 2005

By	Avid Reader (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Diehard Mothering readers might think this book is a little too mainstream, but I think it's very valuable for people who are learning about the concept of natural childbirth and evaluating all their options. It gives a detailed analysis of the risks involved with everyday interventions and encourages birthing mothers to be fully informed before submitting to them. It offers suggestions for natural remedies, yoga postures, meditation, and natural comfort measures while in labor, and even mentions that you might use a midwife and birth at home. However, the book also assumes that you might feel more comfortable delivering in a hospital -- without making you feel guilty about that choice. I came away from this book feeling positive about being pregnant, not nervous or worried like after reading "What To Expect...". I think it does a good job of debunking many of today's obstetrical myths and gives new moms courage to ask questions. My first birth was totally natural, in a hospital. I just finished reading this a month into my second pregnancy. It validates the ideas I had the first time around and gives me even more resolve to pursue a drug-free, interventionless birth again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very comprehensive book; good for first-time moms, April 14, 2005

By	K. Tier (San Francisco Bay Area) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I purchased this book from Amazon last November for the library of my local La Leche League group. I own a copy as well. (I also own Peggy O'Mara's other book: "Natural Family Living", which is wonderful.) In "Having a Baby, Naturally", Ms. O' Mara is very balanced and straightforward in her presentation of pregnancy and childbirth. I especially enjoyed the section explaining the types of tests women are presented with during early pregnancy. I have given this book to several expecting friends as a gift and plan to give it to my sister in the future. This book is included in La Leche League's recommended book list. I do own Ina May's book " Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth", which is also very good and highly recommended for someone planning a home birth. I am a longtime reader of Mothering Magazine. Fans of Mothering should be aware that "Having a Baby, Naturally" was written to appeal to a wide mainstream audience and not the relatively small segment of the population interested in alternative practices. I am the mother of twins born by C-section in 1997 and a child born naturally at home in late 2001. This book would have been extremely helpful to me in my first pregnancy and would have allowed me the information I needed to avoid an unnecessary C-section. The special situations section is extensive and the breastfeeding information is good. Overall, this is a great book.