An excellent all-in-one guide to pregnancy. Each chapter represents a month, and discusses physical and emotional changes, the growth of the fetus and common concerns. Nutrition, exercise, information and support for home births and birthing centers, avoiding episiotomy, and much more. Overall, the book is detailed, accurate, and well illustrated with plenty of personal accounts. Where it truly shines is in a side by side comparison to the very popular "What to Expect When You're Expecting"

"The Pregnancy Book" is reassuring, sets forth realistic guidelines for maternal diet, and celebrates birth as a natural joyful experience while "What to Expect..." seems to encourage drugs and medical intervention, creates an atmosphere of fear about the birthing process and their pregnancy diet, while perhaps nutritionally "ideal" is unrealistic, strict and unpalatable.

Reader Reviews: none at this time

This book was the text used for our childbirth preparation classes. It covers conception through early infancy and includes information on what to expect during pregnancy and birth and working with your caregivers to make sure you birth experience is safe, happy and healthy.

Complete descriptions of the medical options available to women during pregnancy and childbirth with the pros and cons of each option. Well organized, with over 45 charts and 150 photographs/illustrations. A wonderful resource that you will refer to over and over.

Reader Reviews: none at this time

A wonderful book that advocates for natural, drug-free births, but also provides readers with a broad base of information to make their own individual decisions about medical treatments during childbirth. There is also a fascinating section about the history of birth practices that explains how and why birth has come to be considered a medical emergency rather than the natural process it is. Recommended!

Reader Reviews: none at this time

An informative guide that includes thorough descriptions of every situation a birth partner can expect. Vital information and emergency tips are clearly marked throughout the book. The different sections include preparing for the birth, early labor,the stages of labor, special situations, medical aspects of childbirth, and ways birth partners can assist after the birth. By reading this book, birth partners can be fully prpeared for their role before, during, and after labor.

Reader Reviews: none at this time

This book describe how a doula can help the birthing process, detailing studies that indicate doula-supported births result in a major reduction in the length of labor, a greater than 50% drop in cesarean sections, a decrease in a mother's need for pain medication and fewer feeding problems for babies after birth.

Reader Reviews:
"Three of the founders of Doulas of North America, Marshal and Phyllis Klaus and John Kennell, have written an update to their original book, Mothering the Mother. The new version has up to date information and facts and truly gives the essence of what a doula does.

With their love for laboring families and the doulas who help them, the authors make reading about doula research enjoyable. Their words of wisdom help families who are thinking of choosing a doula and also women who are thinking of becoming doulas. Required reading for all who are interested in doulas!