Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide

by Penny Simkin

Paperback, 1991

Status

Available

Call number

618.2

Genres

Publication

Distributed by Simon and Schuster (1991), Edition: 2nd, 311 pages

Description

Available for the first time in full color, the up-to-date and authoritative pregnancy guide that has sold 1.5 million copies--by recognizing that "one size fits all" doesn't apply to maternity care Parents love this book because it puts them in control; experts love it because it's based on the latest medical research and recommendations from leading health organizations. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn provides the information and guidance you need to make informed decisions about having a safe and satisfying pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period--decisions that reflect your preferences, priorities, and values. Unlike pregnancy guides that can overwhelm and alarm by telling you up front all the things that can possibly go wrong, this book first describes normal, healthy processes, their typical variations, and the usual care practices for monitoring them. Only then does it cover possible complications and the care practices and procedures for resolving them. Throughout, the presentation is crystal-clear, the tone is reassuring, and the voice is empowering. And the language is inclusive, reflecting today's various family configurations such as single-parent families, blended families formed by second marriages, families with gay and lesbian parents, and families formed by open adoption or surrogacy. From sensible nutrition advice to realistic birth plans, from birth doulas when desired to cesareans when needed, from reducing stress during pregnancy to caring for yourself as well as your baby after birth, this pregnancy guide speaks to today's parents-to-be like no other.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member eo206

My OB recommended that I read this book while I was pregnant. I found it very helpful, especially right before I gave birth. It isn't a good guide for the week-by-week changes that a pregnant woman goes through. It is so much better at explaining labor, delivery, and the changes a body goes through

afterwards. The authors also did a wonderful job of talking about the interventions and choices one can make during labor and delivery. I also found myself referring back to it once I came home with my newborn, both for explanations about my newborn and it helped answer some of the missing pieces from labor and delivery. This is one of the best pregnancy and childbirth books-- skip the popular What to Expect guides and get this instead.

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LibraryThing member mnegranza

I can't say enough good about this book. As a mother of five and a former Certified Childbirth Educator, this is the most well-balanced treatment of pregnancy and birth that I've seen. Its assumption is that the mother is an active partner in the decisions surrounding her birth rather than someone

on the receiving end of an expert's magic. It covers all options fully and fairly, using scientifically-supported conclusions as the safety and efficacy of different choices. It is inclusive of diverse family situations and supportive of whatever informed decisions you, as the mother, choose to make.

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LibraryThing member kshelato

I don't know what I expected from this book, but it didn't deliver. I have not had a child and therefore have many questions. The book touches on many subjects, but does not give enough details or insight for me.

LibraryThing member shabacus

A quick survey of the local bookstore, not to mention a search on the topic on Amazon, reveals a bewildering assortment of books on this subject. There are the top sellers with dozens of editions, and the less well known, sometimes very specialized volumes. My initial impression of this book is

that it fell right in the middle.

For one thing, I appreciated that the language did not read like an article from Cosmopolitan magazine. I never felt like I was being talked down to, or that the language was intended to try to brighten up a dull subject.

However, it felt like this book had too broad of a scope. The same number of pages could be written about each of the three topics individually -- and of course, have been, many times over. As a result, this felt more like a survey of several related topics rather than an in-depth guide to any of them.

As a resource for its subject matter, it seems like it would be a valuable voice, but should not be the only voice to the first time parent.

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LibraryThing member Manderers

There are so many Pregnancy books on the market, and from what I can tell, they all have the same information. The main thing I look for when purchasing a pregnancy book is the layout and presentation of the information. One of the main things I like about this book in particular is that it

includes a good amount of information about taking care of your newborn. Most books are either dedicated to Pregnancy and childbirth or Newborn care, but not always both. Another thing I love about this book is that is is easy to read, not dry as some others I have read. When I first received the book, I knew I would like it just by looking at the Table of Contents because everything was arranged and grouped in a way that makes sense to me. Instead having a separate section for each trimester, there were sections for exercises, changes in your body, complicated situations, etc and the trimesters were discussed within those sections. Works for me, but maybe not for others!

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LibraryThing member kschloss

This is the fifth edition of a book I read, reviewed, and loved many years ago, when I was first starting out as a childbirth educator. Penny Simkin is an authority I respect and admire, and her involvement as author and contributor to this volume adds credence to the content that other books do

not have. When I was newly expecting for the first time, I picked up the usual books at Waldenbooks and B. Dalton, that is, commercial offerings like "What To Expect When You're Expecting". It was terrifying. To those books, I say, "If you taken what you're always given, you'll get what you've always gotten." If you choose a book like "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn", you'll get accurate information and a standpoint from which to make informed decisions. Always advocate for yourself. Inform yourself, and make good decisions for you and your baby. Scorn books like WTEWYE, because those books pander to the medical community, making things convenient for them, not best for you and your baby.

"Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn" is well-organized, easy to read, and guides the eye throughout. It does not bore the reader with long text passages, nor does it overwhelm with too much color and graphics making the eye jump around on the page. It is well-designed and chock full of information. If you have a specific question, the answer is easy to locate, and there aren't gaps with chunks of information left out. Yet one does not have to be a consummate medical professional to understand what is being presented. Anything included is also explained in the book. Although the information could be alarming, it is also put in a way that is reassuring ("Yes, this can happen, but the chances are very low. Here is what you'll notice if it is happening, and here is what you can do if it should happen to you.")

This comprehensive guide to the year of having a baby is a worthwhile read, and I recommend it for expectant parents, professionals, and anyone interested in the birth process.

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