Pregnancy and Birth Books

This illuminating book is full of wise and valuable advice that are derived from Professor William Maxwell's and his wife Mary Maxwell's life-long research into child rearing, multiple intelligence development and education. It also illuminates the collective wisdom of the world's most successful cultures and modern child-development research studies. This book introduces the unique characteristics of families that produce the world's most successful men and women. Most instructive and interesting to me is the Chapter:PARENTS TO AVOID BEHAVIOUR THAT PRODUCES THE AUTOCRATIC PERSONALITY. Erikson found that Adolph Hitler and Mahatma Gadhi were almost mirror images of each other in a scientific sense. To avoid producing a child like Hitler, and to raise a child like Gandhi, Prof. Maxwell proposes a four-step Interpersonal Skills Training Strategy as the chid grows from 0 to 11-year old.

I just had the pleasure of reading SuperParenting, and I don't think I can adequately describe how much I enjoyed this remarkable book. The authors utilize a very effective technique of presenting many many short chapters, which makes it easy to read and follow. Each chapter is full of useful information but none is so long as to overwhelm you as a reader. I also loved the way Dr. Maxwell and the other authors used examples from other cultures to explain and support their ideas--I fully believe that we have a lot to learn from other people throughout the world on parenting as well as other topics. I found the information in the book to be very thought-provoking as well as filled with a great deal of common sense. As an example, the suggestion that babies be born in rooms with dim light is a very good one, and the explanation makes complete sense. This is a great book for people who would like to become parents, expectant parents, and parents of all ages. I think it would also be very useful for grandparents as well. I look forward to the next book by this team of authors.

This book is very enjoyable and provides a great deal of useful information. A must read for all parents!

This is a book worthy of your time if you are a parent, grandparent, future parent or as a gift to someone who will become a parent. His long and sensitive experience as an educator and psychologist come out on every page.

It makes interesting and thought provoking reading for almost everyone.

Personally, I strongly recommend this book not only for your own library but as a gift to your friends.

There may not be another book on the market that offers such timeless insight and invaluable wisdom to those who are engaged in the most important occupation on the planet: parenting. What is there that is more important? We are required to take classes to read and write, to drive a car, to install new plumbing, or to perform an operation, but what requirements are there to have a baby and raise it effectively and successfully? None, except perhaps a fertile, ample body. The accidental human being, a dangerous experiment, has proven to be a costly, tragic endeavor, whereas the designer human being -- going beyond mere material concerns for eye color and body type -- is not only possible but inevitable with books like SuperParenting at hand.

Now, at last, here is a book for parents and prospective parents that goes beyond the obvious instructions of diapering, bathing and feeding. Finally, more subtle needs are addressed as well. The authors have considered every aspect of the precious opportunity that exists when having a child, elevating the experience of parenting to one of the highest services one may render... from the importance of the psychospiritual and emotional climate of the mother and father during the prenatal period to the carefully constructed wholistic environment needed during and after birth, from infancy to adolescence.

Imagine the implications of life in just one generation with a beginning that is as well-planned and thoughtfully prepared as this book suggests. Not only is this book invaluable for those who are in the process of pregnancy, it is also an important book to give to people who are in a pre-parental stage in life. I would hope that a curriculum for high school and college students would include this book. Then I can rest assured that the children of the future will be in good hands, and we will indeed progress as an "ever-advancing civilization".

When I was pregnant with my eldest child, I had the services of a wonderful doulah and fairly good childbirth classes at my hospital. I delivered without any drugs and with lots of support with my husband on one side of me and my doulah on the other -- I can't imagine having a baby any other way! Unfortunately with my other children I was unable to have my doulah, but I did have this book and it helped me immensely! I did not achieve a painless childbirth, but I learned to work with my contractions and make the most out of each one. Giving birth has been the most wonderful experience of my life. I look forward to having more children.
I believe this book is more useful than "Husband-Coached Childbirth" by Dr. Bradley....this book is also a little bit dated, but only in describing how conditions were at the time Mrs. Karmel gave birth to her children. Everything else is full of practical advice with lots of help on how to do it yourself. I loan out my copy to pregnant friends, especially those who have had difficult childbirths previously. (Just make sure I get it back! :-)

When I was first pregnant, my mother dug out her copy of this book and I read it and reread it and then read it again! It was my bible and using Dr. Lamaze's methods, not the bastardized version they teach at hospitals these days, is what allowed me to have a completely pain-free childbirth. Not once, but twice, as I used his method both times I was pregnant. This book should be read by anyone who is pregnant. It is well-written, informative and entertaining!

My attitude 35 years ago, when expecting my first child was:"Wake me when it's over" After reading "Thank you, Dr. Lamaze" I actually looked forward to the experience. With Marjorie Karmel's wise counsel and humorous recounting of her experiences and with the help of my wonderful husband and a very supportive doctor (It was hard to find a doctor who would cooperate with "natural childbirth") my first delivery was the most exciting and rewarding experience of my life. I wish this book could have a "rebirth" and be read by all pregnant women so that they could be fully aware and contributing members of the childbirth team. I hope that its use can help to eliminate some of the unnecessary drug use and caesarean sections that are so prevalent.

I was very young and very scared when I was pregnant with my son, Connor. To add to my problems, I am allergic to just about everything, which meant Lamaze was my only choice for childbirth. After reading Karmel's book, I had pride in myself, that 'yes, I can do this' and that, I would actually enjoy giving birth. Needless to say it only took two hours to have my son on a late Sunday night, I took four extra strength tylenol, which was mainly for my nerves and headache from all the nurses telling me I shouldn't be moving around, and returned to work on Wednesday. This book truly works! This should be required reading for anyone who is fearful of labor, or wants to be able to really experience the miracle of life without being being foggy minded bc of medication!

You don't have to be set on "Natural Childbirth" to read this. It is not only for old hippies either; it is also not what you see in your hospital's childbirth class. It is a great beginning to understand what the body is doing and how you prevent your body from misinterpreting it as pain. In the end, if this method is not for you, at least you approached the process with the understanding of what goes on.

Other books describe the process with a suggestion to breath naturally. This does not work. Many books review the phycial process of how the baby moves, but not what you can do to overcome how you feel. This book does that-- giving you things you can do to remain in control throughout your child's birth. It is worth it-- find a copy anywhere you can.

A quiet gem of a book which not only shows families how to prepare for the conception and arrival of each new soul but also encourages them to stay spiritually bonded to each other and to a loving universe. Hopkins gently reminds us of all that is to be gained by dancing together in the precious garden of life.

Jill Hopkins' wonderful, simple prose is like a gentle laserbeam to what's important. This is not only a beautiful guide for raising our children, it's also a fine allegory of how we can nuture ourselves and our communities. My wife and I cried happily in almost every chapter.

An outstanding resource for anyone who cares about children. Highly recommended by the Family Health Institute. An ideal book for parents, grandparents, family members, and friends. Whether you're welcoming a biological or adopted child -- no matter their age -- you should have this book. -- Ari Cowan, Executive Director, the Family Health Institute.

Great for expectant grandparents too

My wife and I are expecting a baby in August and there haven't been too many suggestions for what I can do to prepare--this book was suggested by friends and I think I liked it even more than my wife did. There are a lot of things you can do to really get ready for your baby, and really feel like you're preparing the way

This is a comprehensive publication including the cultural and medical issues surrounding teen pregnancy and implications for practice. It is must read for professionals caring for adolescents. It's practical approach and outline for a teen pregnancy program are still valid today. Highly recommended.

This is the best monograph on the market for professionals caring for pregnant teens. It covers the phyisological, psychologial, social, and educational needs of pregnant teens. It is a must read. Subsequent publications don't compare. Ask for this edition.

This mongraph gives a practical approach to teen pregnancy. Excellent resourch for teachers and health care professionals.

Excellent resource for all health care professionals who care for pregnant teens.

Authors review factors related to prevalence of teen pregnancy, risks and issues surrounding teen pregnancy. Authors share their experience in establishing a successful Adolescent Pregnancy Program which signficantly improved outcomes in teen mothers. Authors include excellent resources, including medical records tools, audio-visual resources, and program outline. Offers a turn key approach to professionals planning to develop such a program. Comes with 6 nursing contact hours.

I read The Belated Baby in one sitting often with tears in my eyes. Reading it felt like sitting with a good friend who has felt the pain and disappointment all women feel who have struggled with infertility. As a hopeful, waiting adoptive mother-to-be, I found it particularly helpful in foreshadowing what may come after our much longed for baby finally arrives. In one excerpt the author describes herself sitting in a coffee shop when an expectant mom comes in and sits beside her. When the author feels her body stiffen but her heart soften, I felt hopeful that someday I too will feel that brand of genuine joy for the happiness of other women. Knowing that it is normal for the disappointment of infertility to persist even after the baby arrives is a good lesson and reading the book before parenthood for the still childless couple is a great way to prepare for the emotions that are sure to remain even after children. Those of us who are infertile are going to walk again someday, and the arrival of a baby helps us to do that, but most of us will always walk with just a little limp---it's the battle wound of what it took for us to get there. The book was hopeful and sensible and validates every feeling I have as someone who cannot create children. A must read.

Anyone who has dealt with infertility or adoption should read this book, it is excellent! I just loved it

I had tears in my eyes while reading most of this book. What a comfort to read about the struggles, frustrations, and (belated) elation of other women.

Infertility is a long, lonely struggle and one that emotionally numbed me to core. I feel blessed to have my children, but have lost myself in the process. The authors assuaged my guilt and gave me the stepping stones to find my way back.

This book is a "must read" for anyone that has ever taken the long, winding path to parenthood.

Loved this book. It covers the many stages that couples may go through as they struggle with infertility. The first-person accounts of couples who experienced or are experiencing infertility are encouraging, funny, poignant, and honest. Many different experiences are documented including fertility drugs, IVF, surrogacy, and domestic and international adoption. The authors offer a frank and straightforward discussion of these issues...a discussion only made more insightful by their own experiences with what can be an alternately heartbreaking and joyful journey.

The Belated Baby: A Guide to Parenting After Infertility
As a licensed psychotherapist, I have counseled couples struggling with infertility, miscarriages, fertility treatment, surrogacy and adoption decisions. It's a long, painful road. Couples who ache to have their own children struggle with the mystifying lack of success, the difficult processes of infertility treatment, the ups and downs of hormone treatment, and the grief and frustration of trying and failing, over and over again. When they finally do achieve their dream of parenthood, the longed-for experience is colored by their painful history. The Belated Baby is written by women who have been there, and it pulls no punches; but it manages to be encouraging and helpful at the same time. The quotes from couples and individuals who are going through the struggle, and those who have been successful, through many different means, are instructive, supportive and encouraging. This is a survivor's handbook, which will be of tremendous value to any parents on this journey.

It took me a while to digest this book as each piece touched me deeply. Every woman who has children or is thinking of having children will benefit from it. Every person who has wondered why things are in life will be reminded how to view life through the love we had when we first began.

I have always been skeptical about books relating to the unknown, as I was with this book, until I read who the author was. Mary Grace McManus is the one person that could and has made me believe in the pre-birth relationship between mother and child. I have known Mary Grace since 1990 and although I have not had any contact with her in 4 years, I know who and what she is and how she believes. All the emotions that we feel in life "fear, abandonment, denial, sadness, acceptance, happiness, security and love" are also present pre-birth. Mary Grace is a wonderful person who has always delved below the surface to see the good within the soul of everyone. The conversations between Mary Grace and Cheyenne are what all mothers instinctivly know but fail to acknowledge. "Cheyenne Journey to Birth" is a truly insightful book written from the heart of a beautiful soul.

This is the enthralling story of the love between a mother and her child-to-be. Early in her pregnancy, the author experiences communion with the spirit of her child, a spirit full of curiosity and personality. She soon finds herself engaged in a conversation that deeply involves them both. Their conversation unfolds over the months until birth, and covers many profound topics such as how a soul chooses its parents. Mary Grace McManus's gift is her ability to make such an extraordinary experience real. This book is a major contribution to the understanding of Pre-Birth Communication. If you are expecting a child, it will inspire you to tune your inner senses and "listen in." Anyone who is intrigued by life's mysteries will appreciate the fresh voice and original vision in "Cheyenne: Journey to Birth".

This book is a beautiful, meaningful gift for us all. Mary Grace McManus tells of experiences that illuminate the meaning of love and the wonder of life. As I read about Cheyenne and Mary Grace growing together, I gained key insight into my own growth. One of my favorite quotes from Cheyenne is: "This is what our connection is all about, remaining open to each other's experiences and relying upon the strength of Love so we can help each other beyond our fears and through our unknown." I cherish this book and read it often. It is an intimate walk down a path of questions, answers, comforting embraces and most of all, understanding that love is THE life giving force. The best part of the book is that instead of ending, it opened doors for me and gave me a hand to hold as I find my path and make my journey through life. Thank you Mary Grace, Cheyenne, and Beauty.

Throughout the book, we see the 'baby' transform from a clear spirit to one taking on fears of the world. She struggles with many of the same things we 'people types' do but at the same time is able to have such a clear picture of what the struggle is about. We see 'answers' come to mother and child via a guardian angel and as the book professes, there is an angel for all of us to bounce questions off of. It was fascinating to see the 'baby' fight for control of her body - not against someone else but against thoughts. It brings us all to question what are we truly fighting in our own lives. Lastly, a beautiful picture is painted of the doorway leading into and out of life. A very believable presentation of how there is more and we are not alone in this journey.

Andrea Tone weaves the disparate history of birth control technology in American and its dissemination and use into a clean and straightforward narrative.

The chapters up to the advent of the Pill (why is it always capitalized?) are especially rich and informative. Of particular interest to the social historian or student of American history are the sections on the illegal trade in contraceptives during the years of the Comstock ban, as well as the impact of Margaret Sanger and the "medicalization" of birth control, which put contraception under the control and regulation of doctors.

Tone's excellent writing style makes this book enjoyable to read and easy to skim. It brings a light-hearted attitude to a potentially heavy subject, making it useful and accessible.

If you're looking for an interesting book about social history in the United States, take a look at this book. A lot of the book asks very personal question like, "what is obscenity? can a society define morality?

The book also can easily be connected with things that are happening today, birth control availability in high schools, for example.

It's a very interesting read.

When I reviewed this extraordinary book for THE NATION Magazine (issue of June 11, 2001) my piece was entitled "The Secret History of Sex." It's fun to scoop the N.Y. TIMES.! The lead review in the NY Times Book Review for July 22, 2001 is also of DEVICES AND DESIRES, and is entitled "The Secret History of Birth Control."

DEVICES AND DESIRES is so original, so persuasive, so meticulously researched and documented that it overrides some of our most taken-for-granted assumptions and beliefs., It opens in 1873 when the Comstock law was passed in the U. S. Congress, banning both pornography and birth control devices. The new law must have made contraception known to some folks who had never heard of it before (or maybe the fact that it was banned made people think it might be fun) because birth control quickly grew into a huge bootleg industry, as popular as liquor was during prohibition, and offering many more products and options for both women and men than we have today. Some were dangerous, some were ineffective, but others were quite good and many couples doubled up on protection, with husband and wife each using one or more methods. The birth rate in the U.S. fell by more than half from 1880-1940, even though we were later led to believe by Margaret Sanger and others that until birth control was largely taken over by doctors,( in the 1930s) it was quite scarce. You will be astonished at the documented information in this book and mesmerized by the case histories of the colorful and inventive bootleg birthcontrol entrepreneurs. Tone's exhaustive research led her- like an ace detective or shoe-leather crime reporter (she is in fact a history professor at Georgia Tech) through an eight year coast to coast investigation of Post Office Department records, Federal Trade Commission transcripts (some with decaying diaphragms and condoms glued to the pages) American Medical Association Health Fraud Archives, credit reports from 19th century Dun and Co. collections, patents, love letters, arrest records, trial records, advertisements and trade catalogues, and "entrapment letters" from Anthony Comstock and others seeking to arrest the purveyors of contraception. To me- one of the most fascinating findings in DEVICES AND DESIRES is simply this: As every legislator knows, you can vote a measure into law but if you don't provide funds to enforce it the measure may remain a "paper tiger" Although Congress gave lip service to Comstock's prudish ideas, most members didn't support them with sufficient enthusiasm to vote money for enforcement. The" special agents" of the Postal Service who were, by law, required to chase down contraceptives and pornography (on top of their many other preexisting duties)were fifty-nine in number (nationally!) before Comstock was passed, and after passage the number was raised to sixty-three. You do the math. This book illustrates the great divide between "conventional wisdom"- and what an unconvinced and energetic historian can unearth. We all knew that the U.S. birthrate hit an all-time low in 1940. Why didn't we ALL question how this could have happened if it was true that there wasn't any contraception?

For nearly a century, from the advent of repressive Comstockery in the 1870s to the development of The Pill in the 1950s and 1960s, the history of contraception in our national history suggests several irrefutable truths. National and state governments, ignoring the realities of consumer demand for safe and effective contraception, have unsuccessfully attempted to repress not only the creation of birth control devices but have actively engaged in suppression of information about them.

Despite official opposition, a semi-covert, but vibrant underground market economy developed to satisfy the insatiable demand for methods to control sexual reproduction. Professor Andrea Tone's meticulously researched and felicitously written "Devices and Desires" is at once a survey of the technology of contraception, a political analysis of the struggle for women to obtain control over the reproductive lives and an engaging social history of the advocates, producers and consumers of contraceptive devices over the past century and a half.

Recounted through a series of analytical and chronological narratives, Professor Tone provides an interesting perspective on Anthony Comstock, whose name now symbolizes sexual prudery and repression. Tone comments that Comstock's fierce advocacy of governmental intervention and suppression of birth control contains its own class and ethnic bias. Comstock purposely ignored the fact that his most loyal supporters not only abetted, but profited from, the production of birth control devices. (Tone's exposure of Samuel Colgate's hypocrisy exemplifies this blatant double standard.)

Ironically, Comstock's purported success in nationalizing repression and supposed eradication the manufacture and dissemination of birth control products and information generated a robust, underground market-driven economy centered around contraceptive devices. With large-scale industrial giants eschewing production, a fiercely competivite, unregulated industry blossomed and produced its own Horatio Alter success stories, such as that of condom-king Julius Schmid, once arrested and later lionized for the same activity.

"Devices" also praises the extraordinary contributions of Margaret Sanger but notes the costs of her focus. Eventually losing her egalitarian radicalism, Sanger becomes responsible for the conversion of birth control from a market-generated phenomenon to a medically-controlled activity. Though she succeeds in legitimzing contraception, Sanger inadvertently works to narrow the range of women who could obtain access to the very services and products she so deperately wanted to make acceessible to all women.

Tone's history contains numerous wise and unexpected observations about the political and social impact of the battle to make birth control legal. Chapters detailing the controversial development of oral contraceptives and the re-emergence of the IUD help underscore the esential tensions of birth control in a nation where women consistently demand a safe-reliable product but their government sorely lags behaind clear public consensus.

This tension between technological ability and restricted social access to education and product results in our country's staggering rate of unwanted pregnancies. Professor Tone's spirited history suggests that the history of contraception in the United States has many chapters yet to be written.

We have long been used to birth control as being legal, safe, and available. There was a long history of prudery on the subject, though, which continues to have repercussions on our society and our birth rates to this day. _Devices & Desires: A History of Contraceptives in America_ (Hill and Wang) by Andrea Tone, is a sophisticated examination of how Americans went from covertly using illegal contraception in the last century to medically approved versions during this one. It is a fascinating tale, full of passion, science, repression, American ingenuity, and Horatio Alger stories of making it big in the contraception business.

The dour presiding figure over all these proceedings is Anthony Comstock, who built himself up into a vice busting public servant, a special agent of the Post Office, and enforcer of the Comstock Act of 1873. He regarded contraceptives as obscenities, insisting for religious reasons that abstinence and the then poorly-understood rhythm method were the only moral means of birth control. Although many Americans agreed with him, Tone shows convincingly that they also were ready to use contraceptives and to tolerate their sale. The pictures of small time contraceptive entrepreneurs, filling a need that respectable manufacturers shunned, is fascinating. Frequently the owner of a contraceptive factory was a woman, or an immigrant, who made everything in a back room. It took a little know-how, some natural rubber, and some sulfur for the vulcanization process; a little capital could bring high profit. Julius Schmidt, having immigrated from Germany in 1882, went to work at a sausage casing firm, but realized that the casings could be made into something more profitable. Comstock busted him in 1890 for ýselling articles to prevent conception.ý Schmidt easily paid the fine, and eventually moved into the rubber trade, selling the still-available Sheik and Ramses brand condoms. Comstockery had its last gasp in 1965, when the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut law forbidding contraceptives even from doctors to married women. These pages contain a fine description of the development of the birth control pill, and the debacle of the Dalkon Shield.

This is an amazing history of how we Americans have come to our current legal and safe birth control methods. Unfortunately, we do not use them very well. Toneýs book, full of vivid detail and very readable, demonstrates that we cling to the idea that abstinence is an effective medical and social policy. Pregnancy rates in America for those under twenty are higher than in any developed country except Hungary. In Sweden, by comparison, young people have sex more often, but also benefit from compulsory real sex education which includes instruction about contraceptives. They can get contraceptives at cost or free. Rates of pregnancy and rates of abortion are far lower than ours. Two thirds of our group insurance plans will not pay for contraceptive pills, and the bias against women in such plans is clear, since they will cover Viagra. This is an important history book that demonstrates that Comstockýs legacy persists.

This book is an excellent, easy to read reference, that informs women by giving accurate, up to date information regarding pregnancy, birth and family planning. Ronnie Lichtman,CNM has introduced a fresh format in which midwifery care is introduced and midwives are included throughout this comprehensive guide as primary healthcare providers for women. This book gives different alternatives regarding providers, birth settings such as hospitals, free standing birthing centers, hospital birth centers, and home births and different types of collaborative practices available.
Pregnancy is acknowledged as a healthy state, not a medical event and that our bodies are designed to bring life into the world, they are "biologically competent". Complications are discussed, but women should walk away with the knowledge that childbearing is safe and that they have many birth options available to them.
I applaud Lynn Simpson, MD and Allan Rosenfield, MD for continuing to believe as did Dr.Guttmacher, of each woman's right to have information about her body and of her ability to enter into a partnership with her physician or midwife and make informed choices.
As one her former students, I would like to thank Ronnie for expanding women's options for midwifery care through the sharing of her knowledge and experience, and for working so hard to provide her colleagues and midwifery students an open path in which to practice.
I highly recommend this book.

I've read many books on the subject and this one is easily the best. Ronnie Lichtman C.N.M., Ph.D. is one of America's foremost midwives. Her writing style and expertise add new dimension to an already great book. It has everything an expectant mother could possibly want to know. Though there are many books on pregnancy and childbirth, this is the one that will be passed down to future generations. I recommend it highly.

This book is essential for expectant mothers. It covers in depth information on weekly fetal development, symptoms during pregnancy, preparing for the arrival of the baby, and birth and delivery. This book also covers multiple births, and family planning methods. This book gives detailed information on sexual organs and conception.

This book is essential for expectant mothers. It is an in depth book covering week by week fetal development, symptoms during pregnancy, preparing for the baby, birth, and delivery. It also covers multiple births, and family planning methods. It also gives a detailed explanation on sexual organs and conception.

Alan Guttmacher, who wrote the original editions of this book, was a famous teacher, a humane and sensible doctor, and the beloved mentor of the second author, Irwin Kaiser, my father. Dad was revered and respected by his own patients, who, for him, were the most important thing in the world; and Dad was proud that Guttmacher's estate chose him to carry on the work of "The Book", which he did with enthusiasm and dedication through several issues, always keeping up with medical knowledge and current sensibilities, especially feminist concerns.

Dad died this morning, March 17, 1999, at the age of 81.

I was thrilled to see Hands of Love for sale on Amazon.com. In an age when the allopathic medical doctor's word is no longer gospel and the general public is turning to alternative medicine for a second opinion, Dr. Phillip's approach to pregnancy and childbirth is refreshing and professional. The book clearly advocates a holistic approach to a natural process without discounting the value of the traditional medical community. The birth stories told as examples are spoken through the passionate voices of the parents themselves as well as their children, friends and family. I laughed and cried and kept turning the pages. It is intuitively written and illustrated with fabulous pictures. I am predisposed as the author is my mother, but it is one of the best books I have ever read, both on an educational and personal level.

Dr. Phillips combines practical steps to preparing for birth with scientific knowledge, testimonials, trust in the human body's innate intelligence, and common sense.

Appropriate for lay persons and professionals (midwives, doulas, chiropractors, etc.) dealing with childbirth. We use this book in our practice, and our patients love borrowing it!

This is the one to buy. I have read extensively as an expectant mother and this book is phenomenal. It is also an excellent resource for family members who have questions about the process.

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, read this book!
I have read many many pregnancy and birth related books and Hands of Love is up there with the best of books. With wonderful, intimate photos and birth stories, Dr. Phillips outlines a lot of the choices parents have to make today . She does so in a gentle and informative way.
The book includes simple exercises to alleviate common complaints of pregnancy that can make a huge difference in birth outcome- including a really simple way to deal with preterm labor. I didn't realize how having everything your body in the right place can make such a difference in birth...
Check out this book!!

In an age when the allopathic medical doctor's word is no longer gospel and the general public is turning to alternative (complimentary) medicine for a second opinion, Dr. Phillips poses an approach to pregnancy and childbirth that is revolutionary. The book clearly advocates a holistic "humanistic" model without discounting the value of the traditional medical community. The birth stories used as examples are told through the passionate voices of the parents themselves as well as their children, friends and family. I laughed and cried and kept turning the pages. It is intuitively written and illustrated with fabulous pictures. The stories are interspersed with valuable information on the roles of chiropractors, doulas, midwives, birth teams and good birth plans, based on 15 years of qualitative research. I am predisposed as the author is my mother but it is one of the best books I have ever read, both on an educational and a personal level.

This is an excellent book; beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written. My daughter loves all the animal pictures and I never tire of reading it to her. Great for many ages!

Wonderful for young children, letting them see other babies in the animal kingdom. Beautiful illustrations also!

This book should appeal to many age levels. My 18 month old begs for it over and over again. The illustrations are beautiful- soft and detailed with the animals filling up the whole page. The text is one or two sentences per page and he knows the names of the animals. For the older child the facts about each animal provide an introduction to the fascinating diversity of the natural world and a reference point leading to a discussion of his or her own birth.

I read this beautifully illustrated book to my four-year-old son many times throughout my pregancy. The fact that he was born himself, just like the animals, pleased him immensely. I enjoyed reading it over and over because of the simple, charming words the author uses to describe birth. The whale mother nudges the baby whale up for its "first sip of air." The baby elephant wears "a halo of long, brown hair." And the human baby "rode curled beneath (its) mother's heart." What a wonderful, sweet way to explain the miracle of life to young children. It is also a great way to explain the different ways some animals are born. Daddy Seahorses give birth? Frogs have babies that don't look like them? It could lead to yet another trip to the library!

My son's baby sister is more than six months old, yet he still counts this book as one of his favorites. I highly recommend it!

With brief, but magical descriptions of the moments of birth for several animals, the author carries you into the special realization of the unique and magical love in human birth. The artist's fantastic pictures bring you into the world of each animal. A beautiful, and gentle introduction into the world of reproduction, without fear or discomfort. Complete innocence left unmarked, but with inspired appreciation for a true miracle.