The Post-Pregnancy Handbook: The Only Book That Tells What the First Year After Childbirth is Really All About--Physically, Emotionally, Sexually

by Sylvia Brown, Mary Dowd Struck

While a number of books exist which deal with various aspects of the postnatal experience - breastfeeding, exercise, motherhood, post-partum depression - this is the first complete source of information on what a woman experiences both physically and emotionally in the days, weeks and months after childbirth. It is also the only book in its field which balances medical advice with practical tips and numerous references to alternative remedies. From Sylvia Brown, a mother, and Mary Dowd Struck, RN,MS,CNM, a nurse/midwife, comes The Post-Pregnancy Handbook , a wonderfully comprehensive, honest self-help guide which every new (and repeat) mother should keep by her bedside. Brown and Struck give detailed guidance

The First Few Days
- alleviating discomfort from the after-effects of labor or a ceasarian
- making the hospital stay more pleasant
- coping with possible medical complications

The First Few Weeks
- organizing home life with a new baby
- surviving fatigue
- breastfeeding successfully
- managing older siblings, parents and friends
- introducing a new dimension to the couple (returning to sex after childbirth)
- navigating the new mother's dietary needs
- identifying and overcoming a range of emotional difficulties from "baby blues" to severe postnatal depression
- dealing with stress, guilt and that elusive maternal instinct

The First Year
- achieving a complete physical how to get back into shape from the inside out
- restoring strength and tone to the pelvic floor
- countering the legacies of problems with hair, skin, and varicose veins

A thorough, straightforward guide to helping the new mother achieve an effective and harmonious recovery.

Genres: Parenting, Health

334 pages, Hardcover

First published July 29, 2002

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's true that there is a lack of postpartum literature for the non-depressed. That said, this book reads like it was written in the 1970s, even though it was published in 2002. It had a lot of potential, but ultimately, like "What to Expect When You're Expecting," is not the book that it could and should be.
With all the educated women having babies out there, it seems surprising that, while there are birth and breastfeeding books aimed at an intelligent audience, the pregnancy and post-partum books lag behind.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could not find many resources for post-pregnancy recovery which I think says a lot about how much attention we as a society pay to that. This one was odd. It has an odd scolding tone at times about the importance of not letting yourself go after birth, some generally outdated baby advice and leaning heavily into homeopathic remedies. I'm hoping that the exercise and healing advice will come in handy, at least.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has some good information but at least in the beginning it was a lot about difficult complications which was a little too scary. I stopped reading it. Maybe I'll pick it back up at another time and like it better after reading all the way through.

[Merri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a month before I delivered my first baby and I'm so glad I did. I went through some really raw, weird feelings and ups and downs (not to mention post-partum depression) immediately to 6 months after giving birth. If I wouldn't have read this, I wouldn't have been prepared mentally to realize that everything I was experiencing was completely normal and that I wasn't alone. What also helped me was to find a new moms support group but really this book was a good first step. I wasn't into the natural remedies and exercise and stuff--more the empathy and the author saying "hey! this was a weird time for me. It might be a weird time for you too"

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ideal for a new mom right after delivery. Still, I found it informative even a few weeks after my daughter was born. There are piles of pregnancy and baby books for the picking, but few devoted to post-partum recovery. (This might explain why reading it felt like an indulgence. "Who? Me!!") The guidance on exercising the correct way after pregnancy was useful -- or will be, once I'm allowed to start. Less helpful: The herbal recipes. I'm not eager to down a bunch of concoctions while breastfeeding. But that's just me.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that this book gives you many herbal alternatives to dealing with post-pregnancy. I thought that the book was going to stay along the herbal/natural path which is more of my lifestyle but the author keeps going back to hospital births and dealing with surgical procedures/drugs. I had a natural home birth and I felt like she didn't address that type of birth at all.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was browsing the pregnancy section I saw this one. Never have seen a post-pregnancy book. Wish I would have read this one before my first. Lots of good info.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

The postpartum period tends to be ignored when preparing for birth. This book is a comprehensive guide to lots of topics. It suggests both medical and natural remedies to physical discomforts.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Non-Fiction Post-Pregnancy) Well, I read this two months ago and I can't recollect any memories of it. I gave it 3 stars in my journal, but shoot, don't remember it. Great review, huh?

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I sort of wish I would have read this before I delivered, but it's been a great resource since.

[Naomi Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

i only found the exercise tips helpful, the rest about baby care is kind of outdated i think

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

helpful and thorough but over 10 years old so potentially outdated.

[Rachel Tooman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little heavy on aromatherapy and alternative medicines but very informative