Your High-Risk Pregnancy: A Practical and Supportive Guide

by Errol R. Norwitz

This useful book gives sound, straightforward advice about prenatal care, analyzing and diagnosing high-risk factors, and describing the tests, medications, and procedures necessary for a healthy pregnancy. The authors offer specific ways to cope with the rollercoaster of emotions and medical issues that arise during this process. Beginning with a general guide to successful conception, the book explains the risks and addresses the most pressing concerns. Throughout the text, the authors check in with the men and women involved, showing them how to explore their feelings about the pregnancy, their emotions toward the baby, and how to build a solid support system. Each chapter contains journaling exercises, which are extremely important given the amount of bed-rest required in difficult pregnancies. Here too are informed discussions of natural birth versus C-section, the use of antibiotics and painkillers, and how to cope with miscarriages and premies. Your High-Risk Pregnancy is a complete, caring companion during pregnancy and beyond.

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Amy Hopping · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is lacking in evidence, and most of the resources listed in the bibliography are decades out of date or are not primary sources of evidence-based information. Discussion of medical procedures leave out the scariest of the risks to mother and baby, despite those being known risks, even at the most recent publication date of 2009. The discussion about various types of high-risk pregnancies is composed of a disorganized collection of short-answers under each bolded topic of higher-risk conditions lumped together with circumstances that aren’t even considered high-risk by many providers. Even the preparation for labor and for caring for the baby is lacking, and includes the encouragement to not be “superhero” during labor if pharmaceutical methods of reducing pain are available. Overall, the book feels as though it was excessively shortened or not planned adequately. It does nothing to help empower families to make appropriate decisions with the input of their health care provider…instead it places heavy reliance on whatever decision the health care provider prefers, reducing moms to just being compliant.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a really informative book about pregnancy. Was it super helpful as someone going through a high risk pregnancy? Meh. A good portion of the book is just about pregnancy/postpartum in general. It does talk about different tests and things you may have if you are higher risk, but I didn't really feel like that was the major focus as the title implies. I liked how it stayed general and didn't get too deep into individual conditions, etc. but I really wish it would've focused on high risk facts and coping strategies. This felt like facts, but not necessarily support. I'm not sure if this book made me feel better or worse but it did provide a few questions to take to my doctor.

[Shelby Workman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't have my specific high risk concerns, but otherwise fine.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Health issues and risks are just a part of life especially with life and body altering things like pregnancy. So often when we hear an unfamiliar and possible risk we search the internet or other and hear about every worst case-no hope scenario. What we need is a supportive and practical bundle of sage advice and that is what is gathered in these pages.

From getting pregnant to being pregnant through birth and even some after the fact, this book can provide facts without scaring you half to death. Questions? There are most likely covered here. This book is a friend and helping hand toward calm in the midst of chaos.

*Thanks to Hunter House, Inc for providing a copy for review.*

[Kelly Ardyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not pregnant but debating on having 1 more baby. If we decide to, due to my age I would be considered a high risk. I had tons of questions and worries and somehow this book didn't address a single one of them.

[Kristen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful preparation for a high risk pregnancy and complications that were not counseled by medical professionals. I rate this book highly, especially for first time Moms facing difficult pregnancies.