Pea in a Pod: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth & Beyond

by Linda Goldberg

Pregnancy and childbirth are not what they used to be. Back in the good ol' days, mothers-to-be visited their obstetricians once a month, did exactly what they were told, and gave birth while heavily sedated or anesthetized. Their partners paced nervously in the waiting room, barred from the inner sanctum of the labor and delivery rooms. Although some expectant parents still stand on the sidelines, more choose to be active players. If you want to be a participant rather than a spectator in the birth of your baby, Pea in a Pod, Third Edition is your playbook.

Up-to-date and complete, Pea in a Pod is a "one-stop-shopping" guide that provides a wealth of pertinent, accurate information for expectant parents. With topics that begin with fertilization and continue through pregnancy, childbirth, and baby's first year, this comprehensive work could easily be called Absolutely Everything You Need to Know About Pregnancy, Birth, Breastfeeding, and the Newborn. After presenting a general overview of available birthing options and caregiver choices, the book offers a detailed description of conception and fetal development, along with the physical and emotional changes to expect during pregnancy. It provides important nutritional guidelines; exercise plans for the mother-to-be, new mother, and cesarean mother; information on prenatal tests and procedures; and a wealth of hints for the father-to-be, labor partner, and new father. Also included is a variety of effective relaxation techniques and breathing methods to help manage the work of labor. And since every labor is different and may not necessarily go "by the book," labor variations are discussed along with the most common interventions and medications. The final chapters focus on the basics of infant care, detailing such topics as breastfeeding, childhood immunizations, and infant massage. Clear, step-by-step instructions for handling emergencies such as choking are presented, as well as directions for performing infant CPR.

The birth of a baby is one of the most significant events in a parent's lifetime. Whether this is your first birth or your first "prepared" birth, Pea in a Pod will help make the journey from pregnancy to parenthood both memorable and rewarding.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

482 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making the journey from pregnancy to parenthood both memorable and rewarding

Florida author Linda Goldberg earned her degree in nursing form the Helene Fuld School of Nursing at West Jersey Hospital and has taught out of hospital birthing and as a lactation consultant and educator at Winter Park Memorial Hospital in Winter Park< Florida, teaching early pregnancy, breastfeeding, and Happiest Baby on the block classes. Her publications include PREGNANCY TO PARENTHOOD, and PEA IN A POD – this being the third edition of the go-to resource book for all things dealing with pregnancy and childbirth.

In Linda’s introductory remarks she warmly advises expectant parents with skillful and supportive words – ‘Being pregnant for the first time throws most women into an exciting world of unknowns and new experiences. It is often the first time they start thinking about the food they are eating or what they should or should not do to help ensure a healthy baby. Being we-informed during this time is key…Up-to-date and complete, PEA IN A POD is a comprehensive “On-stop-Shopping” guide that provides solid, accurate information for expectant parents. With topics that begin with preconception and continue through pregnancy, childbirth, and baby’s first year, this book could easily be called ‘Absolutely Everything You Could Want or Need to Know About Pregnancy, Birth Breastfeeding, and the Newborn.’

With that degree of gentle humor and her depth of experience and research and guidance, Linda presents the most valuable resource for new parents now available on the market. Being the Third Edition indicates all the information has been updated to be current and on the front line of medical acumen. In addition to the vast amount of information clearly shared, the book’s layout makes absorption and utilization of the information accessible. The drawing and photographs – from fetal presentation in utero to birthing and exercises and graphs and checklists – this book makes the information offered a pleasure to read.

This is an exceptionally fine book – for both mothers and fathers – that makes the adventure of conceiving and nurturing and birthing and parenting a welcome one. Very highly recommended.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. So, if you can get over the goofy little cartoons that keep popping up every other page, this is a real good book if you want some practical and well organized advice. I particularly appreciate chapters with things like "Basic Infant Necessities" or "What to Bring to the Hospital" or "Relaxation Tips" etc. Lists. I like easily located, bullet-pointed lists. And this has 'em.

I think I'd rank this one second to Ina May Gaskin's for being useful re: childbirth, maybe second (only to my Danish Health Authority book) in information re: pregnancy, and it will probably be my go-to book along with the Danish Authority book for infant care as well.

Pretty good. Again, just ignore the cheesy cartoons.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good one -- very comprehensive. It covers pregnancy, labor, and newborn care, with an emphasis on natural birth. There are good sidebars and sections directed at the birth partner. I particularly appreciated the descriptions of the stages of labor and the level of detail. Some of the photos seemed a bit dated, and there's a general assumption of heterosexuality, but I liked that not everyone pictured was white. Good stuff on exercise during and after pregnancy, as well.

[Chante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduction

Pea in a Pod is a comprehensive guide that provides a plethora of information for expectant parents. With topics that begin with preconception and continue through pregnancy, childbirth, and the baby's first year, this book could easily be called Absolutely Everything You Could Possibly Want or Need to Know About Pregnancy, Birth, Breastfeeding and the Newborn. Linda Goldberg includes the latest developments in the field of obstetrics, pediatrics, and breastfeeding, along with the most current policies issued by organizations such as The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, The American Heart Association, The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, The World Health Organization, and the United States Department of Agriculture.
The book opens with a general discussion of the many birthing options and caregiver choices that are currently available for expectant mothers. Followed by a detailed description of conception and fetal development and continuing with information on the physical and emotional changes that occur during each trimester of pregnancy. Goldberg includes many chapters designed to prepare one for labor and birth, including relaxation techniques and breathing methods that can be used at home to practice and prepare for birth. Goldberg discusses common labor interventions and medications along with their benefits and risks. Final chapters of this book cover topics about what to expect once the baby has arrived. These topics include information on breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, pumping and storing breastmilk and breastmilk substitutes along with tips for baby proofing your home, handling emergencies, managing your time, preparing other children and pets for the arrival of the baby and suggestions for maintaining a strong, loving relationship with your partner.

Purpose

This book provides the tools to be utilized by expectant couples throughout pregnancy and birth. Pea in a Pod can be used in conjunction with early pregnancy, childbirth preparation (including cesarean preparation), breastfeeding classes and classes for new parents. Linda Goildberg conveys that through an attitude of awareness and responsibility couples can come to understand the impact and importance of their birthing choices. Goldberg emphasizes that making well thought-out decisions can help ensure an optimum birth experience and positive memories.

Impressions

This book is definitely a great source of information for expectant couples and birth supporters. I cannot think of a topic pertinent to pregnancy, labor and the newborn that Linda Goldberg doesn’t cover in this book. I agree with the philosophy adopted by Lamaze; Birth is viewed as a normal healthy event and women are encouraged to trust their inner strength and wisdom and to make educated, informed decisions regarding their birth experience.
There are six evidence based normal birth practices outlined in this book that can guide expectant parents in creating a birth environment that allows one to tap into their innate birth wisdom and give birth simply and easily. Regardless of babies size, length and complexity of labor, or confidence level these 6 care practices will help keep labor and birth as normal as possible:
1. Let labor begin on its own
2. Ensure freedom of movement throughout labor
3. Continuous labor support
4. No routine interventions
5. Spontaneous pushing in upright or gravity-neutral position
6. No separation of mother and baby after birth with unlimited opportunities for breastfeeding
I also found the table of medications and anesthetics commonly used in childbirth to be particularly helpful and easy to read. The table includes the type of medication offered, how and when it would be administered, uses and benefits and possible risks and side effects for the woman and for the baby.
I wish I had known about crying babies and the missing trimester based on the research of Dr. Harvey Karp when I had my first baby who was colicky. Dr. Karp's method of stimulating the baby’s calming reflex through what he calls the Five S’s is invaluable! The Five S’s are Swaddling, Side/Stomach Position, Shushing Sounds, Swinging, and Sucking. This method can be extremely helpful in calming even the fussiest baby and I will definitely be incorporating this method in my postpartum doula care.
Attachment Parenting as described by pediatrician Dr. William Sears is another postpartum jewel for my doula bag. Attachment parenting is a style of child rearing that encourages the parent to be responsive to the baby’s emotional needs and incorporates 7 Baby B’s. They are: Birth Bonding, Breastfeeding, Babywearing, Bedding close to baby, Belief in the language value of your babies cry, Beware of baby trainers, and Balance. These tools are designed to help the parent interact with their infant and in turn the infant comes to trust that the parent will meet their needs. This parenting style develops secure and loving children. “A child must go through a stage of healthy dependence in order to later become securely independent.” ~ Dr. Sears

Chante’ Chidester

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a good introduction to most aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, with a heavy slant toward natural childbirth practices and breastfeeding...which is good, because you get bombarded with information about epidurals and c-sections at your average hospital birthing class, these days. It was nice to have a broad-topic book that offered so much information on the lesser-used natural practices.

It still does offer brief info on interventions, though, and the reasons they may become necessary.

I liked the topical approach, too, instead of the question and answer format of the What to Expect books.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Pregnancy and Childbirth) One of my favorite books on pregnancy and childbirth. I loved the organization of the information and the illustrations were really fun. This book includes many helpful charts as well. Highly recommended!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. I've heard women complain that "What to Expect When You're Expecting" scared them, but ladies let me tell you, Pea in a Pod freaked me out! The book was informative and interesting, but when I started seeing illustrations of a baby fitting through the pelvis, I reeled a bit.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Textbook-y look at birth. Informative, dense, and impersonal. I liked it though.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the better pregnancy books that I have read. Covers everything from prepregnancy to the first few months.