From the Hips: A Comprehensive, Open-Minded, Uncensored, Totally Honest Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Becoming a Parent

My last comment in the title line was the one which gave me pause. As someone not particularly interested in pain and hospitals (or even children) I read this book more for reassurance than any other reason. For that purpose, I'd suggest that others are better off with a grade-school textbook which glosses over all the unpleasant bits. There are scads of comments from pregnant or recently pregnant women splashed about the book discussing everything from conception to sore nipples, and amazingly enough, most of them were negative. I can't imagine why, in this modern, image-overconscious, sexually laden, instant-gratification, pain-killing society, women would feel negatively about their bodies distending, erratic sex-drives, 9-month "baby vessel" status, followed by a painful labor process (where 10 hours is still considered short...) and then a loss of personal space, sex-drive (again) and sore nipples. Oh, wait. Yes I can imagine. Ouch. Yikes. All that scary commentary aside, this book really is useful. There is an amazing wealth and variety of information presented in a strangely bias-free (mostly) environment, usually with comments from parents who tried it, with varying results. Nausea remedies, natural birth options, water-bith discussions, hospital information, introduction to different epidural styles, the use (and general uselessness) of a "birth planning" document - its all in there. Also in there are reams of info on new babies - you know - the ultimate wrinkly shrieking goal of the whole enterprise. Yeah. There's the requisite breast-feeding vs formula debate, a how to get your baby to sleep section (co-sleeping, SIDS, how many hours of sleep mom will lose (300 in the first year) whether they should be on a sleep-schedule...) and many references to the necessities of work, daycares, nannys, au pairs, and all that "alloparenting" information needed in this 2-income society of ours. Strangely, since all of this is so culturally "hot-button," treated in an amazingly unbiased manner. So, all in all, despite me being a wimp and easily traumatized by their candid treatment of it all, I can see that this is an amazing resource, and one I'll be glad for when (if) I ever take that plunge.

I am a childbirth educator and mom of four. I've read almost every pregnancy and childbirth book that's out there. From the Hips is my new favorite. It's easy to read, amusing, and packed with well presented options with none of the preachy, prescriptive tone of so many parenting books. For example, birth options--hospital/birth center/homebirth; midwife/OB--are explained factually and fairly leaving the reader to decide what feels right for her. I love the many "Anonymom" quotes sprinkled throughout the book--makes it feel like a community effort. My only criticism of the book is the riotous use of color--it's fun but at times too intense and intrusive. Not enough of a distraction to lower my 5 star recommendation though.

I love this book! I am 32 weeks along with my first. I had read other books, websites, etc. but none as informative (and amusing!) as From the Hips. After reading this I now feel prepared for the agony and joys of my soon-to-come labor experience and motherhood. I recommend this book to anyone planning to have children, even parents adopting newborns, and gay/lesbian couples. This book is open-minded and won't make you feel guitly for your parenting choices (breastfeeding(or not bfing), working(or staying at home), depression, attachment parenting). Read it!!

This book is GREAT. I was getting so fed up with all the standard issue pregnancy/birth books (and I have read or skimmed too many to count!). They all seemed either alarmist & overly technical or just too cutesy. This one is neither. It strikes the perfect balance between informative and enjoyable. There's a ton of info here (the authors either cover the subject in detail or they provide links to other experts/websites/books if you really want to go deep on a topic like, say, asthma in pregnancy or something). And there is a ton of good, solid doctor-approved medical advice. But what is particularly refreshing, i think, is the tone of the book. It is really nonjudgmental and makes the mom (or mom-to-be) feel both informed and REASSURED. And From the Hips isn't gimmicky like some other books, which try to give a formula for successful parenting. I especially appreciated the section on baby's sleep (an ALL-consuming issue for me as a new mom!). So many sleep books TELL you what to do and make you feel bad if your kid doesn't fit their quick fix solution. The authors are clearly really funny, warm women who have BEEN THERE. They take their subject very seriously but are also capable of laughing at themselves and at this insane ride we call parenting. I for one am going to get it for my newly pregnant friends and new moms. A perfect baby shower alternative to the ubiquitous BabyGap onesie I hope these guys write a book on toddlers next...