Thinking Pregnant: Conceiving Your New Life With a Baby (Paperback)

by Megan V. Steelman (Author), Rhoda, M.D. Nussbaum (Foreword) "Of all the decisions you will make in your adult life, deciding to become a parent is perhaps the most overwhelming..." (more)
Key Phrases: childbirth educator, pregnancy decision, known donor, Baby Care Decisions, Nontraditional Parenting, New Stress (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Media portrayals of beaming mothers and happy, gurgling babies tell only part of the story. Seasoned parents know that the fantasy of perfect motherhood is just that, and that there are enormous changes in all areas of life attendant on having and bringing up children. Thinking Pregnant is for women (and their partners) who know they want to have children but also want to prepare for the reality of the event. Megan Steelman goes beyond the standard medical advice found in many guides. She discusses the shifts in self-image and in one's body that pregnancy and motherhood bring, analyzes potential sources of conflict that a baby can introduce into a relationship, and elucidates the myriad alterations in identity and lifestyle when, in her words, "the new normal" takes over.

Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications (March 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572242302
• ISBN-13: 978-1572242302
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,051,749 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Probably better if you or your partner is truly conflicted.., March 12, 2002

By A Customer

I am contemplating having children but am not actually embarking yet, and I'd hoped for this book to be more along the lines of a "here are some things about parenthood that you might not know" type of book. I am not conflicted about having children at all, just a bit indecisive about the timing. I didn't find much in this book that I hadn't read elsewhere. If you or your partner is truly conflicted about whether or not you want children, this might be a great book to help you articulate what your concerns are, or help you realize that maybe you are prepared, and just understandably nervous. if you're looking for peeks into the lives of parents, I'd suggest "Mothers Who Think" by the Salon.com editors, or "Breeder" by the editors of hipmama.com.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The other book, April 15, 2002

By	L. Bundy (Callahan, CA) - See all my reviews

This book is the other book in a collection for hopeful parents. It is not the medical reference or the parenting book. It is for hopeful parents who are interested in discovering and discussing the new world of pregnancy. Megan Steelman includes chapters on financial considerations, healthy lifestyle, non-traditional parenting, and dads. There are worksheets at the end of each chapter to stimulate thought and provide planning guidance.

I received the book as a gift from a friend who has two children. I am in the over-35 age group and found lots of useful information in this book.

I highly recommend it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HAVING SEX?? READ THIS BOOK!, January 24, 2002

By A Customer

Everyone over the age of 18 needs to read this book. For that matter, anyone having sex ought to have a copy. Do any of us really know what's around the corner when we conceive a new life? Megan Steelman's book takes over where our mothers left off (if only we had listened to them...) It includes every little tidbit of inquiry about how life is going to look on the other side of pregnancy, and answers all those stupid questions we're too embarrassed to ask our doctors, mothers, or friends. Reading this book is like talking to your best friend, with permission to ask every question that pops into your head. I wish I had read this book 20 years ago before the first glimmers of our kids.