Pregnancy for Dummies
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Congratulations! If you’re already pregnant, you’re about to embark upon one of the most exciting adventures of your life. The next year or so is going to be filled with tremendous changes and – hopefully – unbelievable happiness. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, you’re probably excited at the prospect and a little nervous at the same time.
Pregnancy For Dummies, 2nd Edition, gives you the information you’re looking for if you are considering pregnancy, planning to have a baby, or already pregnant. This guide is also for you if
Is it okay to dye your hair when you are pregnant? How about eating sushi? Pregnancy should be a joy, not a worry. Pregnancy For Dummies, 2nd Edition, addresses commonly asked questions; clears up myths; and offers solid advice from real, medically based data. Take a look at just some of the reassuring and up-to-date information that can help you through your pregnancy:
Authors Joanne Stone, M.D., and Keith Eddleman, M.D., are practicing obstetricians who are also board certified in the sub-specialty of maternal-fetal medicine (high-risk pregnancies). They also teach residents, medical students, and other doctors about pregnancy and prenatal care. Author Mary Murray is a writer and editor who specializes in medicine and science journalism. She is also the mother of twins. |
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This book's title sure sounds a little scary, but as its often-hilarious testimonials from first-time parents show, expectant parents frequently feel really stupid. Like the vast majority of For Dummies books, this one is supremely organized and indexed to help you find the answer to most any question, especially the embarrassing ones you may be reluctant to ask your doctor ("Is it okay to have sex in the last trimester?" "How long does it take the ugly conehead effect to go away after birth?") and the more serious ones ("Can I breast-feed while I'm on the Pill?").
Unlike many pregnancy books, this one has plenty of helpful information for the mother's partner, including ways to deal with vicious mood swings, helpful tips for preparing for childbirth class, and seven tricks for easing her labor pain--even if she's threatening that you'll never have sex again. Besides chapter after chapter of information about pregnancy's physical aspects and how to stay comfortable during the next 40 weeks, there's also plenty of advice on emotional issues--from learning how to say "hands off!" to the pesky people who want to rub your belly to coping with postpartum blues. Some readers may be offended by the book's slightly warped sense of humor (example: "breast engorgement really sucks"), but the authors never treat serious topics in an off-base way. The book's definitely geared toward first-time parents, but for moms and dads confused by the many new medical tests and modern options (such as the doula [pregnancy coach] dilemma or decision to freeze the baby's umbilical cord or not), there's a fine education to be had between this book's covers. |
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| 10-14-08 | 1 | (NA) |
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please read this book with a skeptical mind. or at least just know that it is skewed very heavily towards a technocratic approach to childbirth. readers should be warned that the information is coming from two obstetricians with a very strong medically-oriented bias. as was pointed out by another reviewer, i found some statements that are absolutely not true: one is the authors' claim that pitocin does not lead to more painful contractions; the second is that giving birth in the lithotomy position (on your back) makes for the easiest delivery. (it may be easist for the doctor.) both of these are known to be false. in fact, it has been pointed out that the lithotomy position is the single most dysfunctional position for delivery. it actually makes the pelvis more narrow and increases the likelihood of tears. also, it has been the least common position adopted by birthing women throughout history and the world except in cultures that have embraced a medical approach to birth (and then, it was the doctors' idea). i think this is very irresponsible of the authors and the publisher should have balanced their perspective with that of natural-birth practitioners so that women could hear more than one viewpoint.
there is some helpful information in this book. also, on a personal level, this was the book that prompted me to call my midwife because of the early contractions i was experiencing. some other books seemed to imply that the contractions could be normal. in other words, i think this book is most useful for the medically urgent issues that may come up during pregnancy but NOT for a normal, healthy pregnancy that is moving along smoothly. (Review Data Last Updated: 2008-11-04 10:49:39 EST)
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| 08-03-08 | 1 | (NA) |
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A truly "dumb" book - there are several other pregnancy guides that are much more useful (and still easy to navigate).
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-10-15 13:22:58 EST)
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| 07-21-08 | 5 | (NA) |
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I love the for dummies books and this book was no exception. These books are great to read from cover to cover or you can read any segment and find just the bit of information you're looking for. I feel very prepared for my pregnancy and know what to expect and when I should be on the phone with my doctor. I've recommended it to all of my pregnant friends and I would recommend it to anyone else who is pregnant or who is trying to become pregnant.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-08-04 10:40:04 EST)
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| 07-19-08 | 4 | (NA) |
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Having just read back to back Pregnancy for Dummies and Idiots Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth. I thought I'd share some thoughts on one vs. the other, seeing as they are so similar.
Dummies good: Chronology of pregnancy process week by week. I am referencing this now as my friends are going through their pregnancies to get an idea of what they are going through at whatever week they are at. Goes over common pregnancy myths. Dummies bad: "Daddy Alerts" totally belittling of men. No discussion of mother/parents relationship stability or network. No mention of home pregnancy tests. Idiots good: More information in more detail. Just simply covers more ground. Also has week by week chronology section, it's just not wholly structured that way as Dummies is. Idiots bad: Same absence of relationship/network or over the counter tests. Hope this helps someone along in comparing the two. If someones attention span is shorter go for Dummies. If you want a little more detail, Idiots is better. The Mayo Clinic guide seems to be the most highly praised overall pregnancy book out there, and I'll get one for reference, but as a cover to cover book, I wasn't that brave. Both of these are decent for what they are, intros for the clueless. (Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-21 09:46:53 EST)
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| 06-13-08 | 5 | (NA) |
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This book is so much better than "What to Expect when you are Expecting"
That book makes you so scared of every little thing, where as this book is written by doctors and is much more positive!! I wish I would have read this one before even picking up any others. Very good book. (Review Data Last Updated: 2008-07-20 11:54:59 EST)
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| 01-25-08 | 2 | (NA) |
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I bought this book not realizing that it was the UK edition. So the book spends a bit of time going over UK health care, welfare and medical benefits of UK citizens. Since I am American none of this pertained to me. Also some of the vernacular is different, understandable but different (mum = mom, labor = Labour). Some words were confusing if you didn't spend a minute to look them up such as Paracetamol (thats actually tylenol). Also things such as the food guide pyramid are different because each country has its own pyramid. If you are not from the UK, keep looking until you find the US version. THe technical baby stuff is the same, but much of the other stuff is much different. You will be much happier if you get the US version. If you are from the UK - You will love it
(Review Data Last Updated: 2008-03-29 09:20:02 EST)
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| 01-08-08 | 4 | (NA) |
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After the ton of pregnancy books I read while pregnant with my daughter, this was the only one to mention pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel. I was lucky enough to develop it during the sixth month. There's nothing like trying to hook your bra with bags of frozen peas strapped to your wrists, but I digress...
All in all, I found the book very informative. Instead of taking on a "DON'T STAND IN FRONT OF THE MICROWAVE OR YOU'LL COOK YOUR KID" attitude it takes a very gentle, no-worries approach. Others have said this is for the woman who will be delivering in a hospital rather than giving birth at home. An element of this is true, but it's still a nice reference to have around when you have questions about what your body's doing. (see carpal tunnel above) As the book states, and I'm paraphrasing here, "Babies are born under all sorts of circumstances." I've also heard nice things about the Mayo Clinic guide. For the next kidlet, I may pick that one up, as well... (Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-26 04:58:14 EST)
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| 11-21-07 | 5 | (NA) |
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Very helpful!!! I found everything I needed in this book during pregnancy and right after delivery.
Conveys good and accurate information in a comic and light manner. recommended! (Review Data Last Updated: 2008-01-19 05:06:51 EST)
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| 01-27-07 | 3 | 1\1 |
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I found out I was pg in November, and since I had given away all of my pg books I was looking to get one for reference, even though I am a mom of three. I swear by "The Complete Idiots Guide to Pregnancy", but after reading the reviews of this book I went ahead and ordered it. I was so disappointed by this book.
The Complete Idiot's Guide...breaks down your pregnancy not only by trimester, but also by week, which I found very helpful in my previous pregnancies. PREGNANCY FOR DUMMIES does not do that; it simply breaks down your pregnancy by trimester. Personally, I like the little weekly milestones, and I didn't have that with PFD. Overall, it is an informative book. There is great information to be found, however, it's not as detailed as I'd hoped. I also miscarried my pregnancy, so if I should ever become pg again this isn't a book that I'll use for reference. I'll either get my usual Complete Idiot's Guide or look for something else. But since I was looking to change things up a bit, I was not happy with the selection of this book and won't use it again. I wouldn't put it on my top five, either, if someone asked me for a book recommendation... But that's just my opinion ;) (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-11-21 16:48:29 EST)
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| 01-26-07 | 3 | (NA) |
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I found out I was pg in November, and since I had given away all of my pg books I was looking to get one for reference, even though I am a mom of three. I swear by "The Complete Idiots Guide to Pregnancy", but after reading the reviews of this book I went ahead and ordered it. I was so disappointed by this book.
The Complete Idiot's Guide...breaks down your pregnancy not only by trimester, but also by week, which I found very helpful in my previous pregnancies. PREGNANCY FOR DUMMIES does not do that; it simply breaks down your pregnancy by trimester. Personally, I like the little weekly milestones, and I didn't have that with PFD. Overall, it is an informative book. There is great information to be found, however, it's not as detailed as I'd hoped. I also miscarried my pregnancy, so if I should ever become pg again this isn't a book that I'll use for reference. I'll either get my usual Complete Idiot's Guide or look for something else. But since I was looking to change things up a bit, I was not happy with the selection of this book and won't use it again. I wouldn't put it on my top five, either, if someone asked me for a book recommendation... But that's just my opinion ;) (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-02-25 01:59:03 EST)
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| 01-09-07 | 2 | (NA) |
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It may be titled "Pregnancy for Dummies", but even though I've never been pregnant before... it turns out I'm not THIS dumb. Unless you've been completely under a rock your whole life, you already know more than this book can teach you. Skip it and buy something else.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2007-01-26 22:32:22 EST)
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| 02-24-06 | 4 | 6\6 |
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This is my first time being pregnant and i didn't want to be overloaded with useless information.
This book is to the point and easy to understand. My husband is also reading it and he enjoys the info he is getting out of it. Good work! (Review Data Last Updated: 2007-01-09 23:23:10 EST)
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| 12-22-05 | 5 | (NA) |
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I'm 36, overweight, hypertensive, and having my first baby. I wish Pregnancy for Dummies had been the first pregnancy book I had purchased. I purchased three others before I finally got this - in my third trimester - after I rented the DVDs. This book is very straightforward and has sense of humor. I took a childbirth class chock full of info on natural childbirth, breathing, relaxing, etc. This book was a great companion to the class - a basic primer. If you need additional information, go ahead and buy a couple more books (25 is probably overkill, though. It's a baby, not a thesis).
Two of the books I purchased prior -- What to Expect When You're Expecting and the Mother of All Pregnancy Books were loaded with every horrible thing that can happen at every stage of pregnancy. Loads more information on genetic problems than you need in a normal pregnancy. Heaven forbid if you eat a Twinkie at 22 weeks!! I thought they were both alarmist. My AFP test said I had a higher chance for Down's Syndrome. I went to my amniocentesis test convinced that even if the baby tested fine that the amnio itself would cause me to miscarry. Long story short - the baby is fine and the amnio wasn't a big deal (just don't look at the needle!). I think today that most women understand they need to stop drinking and smoking, take prenatal vitamins, eat some vegetables, and see an OB. If they don't know already, then I can't imagine they'd be buying any pregnancy books anyway. (Review Data Last Updated: 2006-01-17 12:11:43 EST)
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| 03-05-05 | 5 | 3\3 |
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This book was recommended to me by my OB/GYN, and I found it to be very helpful when I would freak out in the middle of the night... I particularly appreciated the fact that all the scary-but-rare stuff was put in one chapter at the end, so you could look it up if you needed to, but you didn't have to encounter it when you were looking for more routine information. Too many other pregnancy books have the scary-but-rare information throughout, so you spend time worrying needlessly.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-01-17 12:11:43 EST)
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| 11-19-04 | 4 | 2\3 |
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I'm lucky enough to have Dr. Stone assist me with my twin pregnancy, the book is great for those who can't actually see her. She doesn't take the fearful, doom-and-gloom approach (my gripe with other pregancy books), but has excellent information on how to have a baby safely.
(Review Data Last Updated: 2006-01-17 12:11:43 EST)
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