Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #79691 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 392 pages

Emma's Diary
The most comprehensive pregnancy manual on the market.

Midwifery Digest
"Very useful and beautifully presented"

Synopsis
Our expert team of contributors includes specialists from the fields of genetics, midwifery, gynaecology and obstetrics, pregnancy nutrition and exercise, psychology and paediatrics. Additionally, we consulted teachers in natural childbirth techniques, breastfeeding and babycare to create a fully rounded sourcebook on all aspects of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. This up-to-the minute reference gives you everything you need to know to enjoy a healthy pregnancy and to care for your new baby.

Customer Reviews

Excellent - everything I wanted to know
Don't let the size of the book put you off - yes it looks like a weighty tome, but it's crammed full of useful information. If, like me, you wanted to know absolutely everything that can happen, this book is worth buying. It's not funny, there are no characterisations or diaries, but it is a good companion - even from before you conceive. I especially like the week by week development of the foetus - lots of books miss great chunks of this, but this covers it all and has photos etc too. I've kept referring to it most nights when I'm in bed! It doen't patronise - which as a health professional, I was grateful for -but it doesn't assume you know loads either, which was reassuring. As with any pregnancy book, reading too far ahead can scare you, so be careful. It does go into a lot of complications and problems - but in my opinion, forewarned is forearmed. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to know a lot about what's going on inside them during pregnancy - and to those who want to get up to speed before conception. I wouldn't be without it.

Does Exactly What it Says on the Cover!!
This book really is a Bible. Obviously as I'm planning to start a family I needed to buy 17 books that all say the same thing, which luckily meant I was bound to get one that was good!! This one is more than good, I'd say it was great, it's easy to read and broken down into informative and well researched chapters. I've found some of the books to be a little too overwhelming and sometimes quite dated (Birth & Beyond - Dr. Yehudi Gordon) although very often their not that old. Some books also are very 'alternative therapies' and yoga based which is great to be aware of but if I can't get my feet behind my head now, there's no way I'm gonna be able to do it during pregnancy! This book makes you aware of such therapies and points out the positives and negatives without trying to sway you. Some books I've found can be quite frightening and negative but this one definately has a positive angle as well as informing you of the potential dangers. Complicated medical information is explained thoroughly using diagrams and examples without ever being patronising.
I'd say this book would be useful to all those planning or preparing for a baby, especially first time mothers. Two good good books alongside I'd recommend would be 'The Rough Guide to Pregnancy' - Kaz Cooke, for a great laugh and some good information and 'The Blokes Guide to Pregnancy' - Jon Smith, they say you shouldn't forget your other children when planning for a baby so I thought it best to get my husband a book so he didn't feel left out!! He says it's great and read half of it in the first two days.

The name says it all
I bought this book as soon as I found out I was pregnant and thoroughly enjoyed looking at the week by week pictures and descriptions of my baby's growth and mine too. It really did become my pregnancy bible and my husband and I both read it. This book seems to cover everything from conception through to caring for a newborn, including pregnancy care/problems, labour, what to buy, exercise - you name it, you will find it in here. Very informative book for those who want to know as much as possible about their pregnancy.