I've been a fan of this series for a while-- I avidly recommend all first-time parents-to-be read Baby Bargains to help them figure out the daunting a...moreI've been a fan of this series for a while-- I avidly recommend all first-time parents-to-be read Baby Bargains to help them figure out the daunting and intimidating world of baby gear, and kept a copy of Baby 411 near me at all times right after My son was born. My sister recently lent me a copy of Expecting 411 and I have mixed feelings about it. A lot of the information seems quite good, and they do a decent job of giving down-to-earth explanations and information. There were a few parts that I was disappointed by (eg- the immediate assumption that all breech babies must be born via c-section; almost no mention of the option to delay cord clamping in the otherwise-thorough discussion on cord blood banking). But, since it's written by an OB and pediatrician, I expected some of that. At least they mentioned midwives and birth center/home births as viable (if undesirable in the authors' eyes) options, which is a plus!(less)
This is an incredible read, and one I would recommend to all women. Modern medicine is wonderful, and saves lives every day-- but we have come to a pl...moreThis is an incredible read, and one I would recommend to all women. Modern medicine is wonderful, and saves lives every day-- but we have come to a place where we now use machines and techniques that are great in *certain* situations, and are instead applying them blindly to everyone without looking at the evidence that may or may not support their use, and it's led us to have one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates among developed nations.
Some people take this book as wanting to pit mothers against their doctors. I don't think it has to be that. I do think every pregnant woman should know her facts, so that when her doctor suggests induction or pitocin or a c-section she can have a decent understanding of the benefits and risks, and know what questions to ask to decide whether those interventions are necessary or desirable. Knowledge is power.(less)
A MUST-READ for pregnant women, especially anyone interested in giving birth without medication. An amazing, positive look at labor and childbirth, pr...moreA MUST-READ for pregnant women, especially anyone interested in giving birth without medication. An amazing, positive look at labor and childbirth, provides great information on techniques to help a woman through labor and the empowering knowledge that this is what our bodies were built to do. I found myself amazed by the birth stories from The Farm, and honestly wish I could give birth there myself!(less)
I don't know if I'd say this is exactly a complete book on Pregnancy, but it is very thorough on childbirth, mentioning all the different options wome...moreI don't know if I'd say this is exactly a complete book on Pregnancy, but it is very thorough on childbirth, mentioning all the different options women have today from a hospital birth to birthing center to home birth, and ways to prepare for each and what to expect during and after.(less)
I haven't read all the way thru this book, but instead am enjoying little morsels here and there....and both my husband and I are loving it so far. He...moreI haven't read all the way thru this book, but instead am enjoying little morsels here and there....and both my husband and I are loving it so far. He was nearly in years the other night, reading the section on swaddling a newborn! I've been a fan of Alice Bradley's blog for a long time, and this book is very much in line with her blog's writing style and humor. (less)
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