The Mother of All Pregnancy Books

I read this book after several others, so didn't inhale it like I did the earlier pregnancy books I'd purchased -- but I have found it very helpful and interesting (I must admit I haven't even read the 'conception' sections though, as that was a 'done deal' when I got the book).The information is practical and doesn't use medical jargon. Charts etc. are used to lay information out in an easily-scanned and readable format. The book is not arranged so much in a month-by-month format (although that does underlie the organization). It is *NOT* What to Expect When You're Expecting -- it's its own book, to be evaluated on its own terms. I particularly appreciated the practical medical and nutrition advice and explanations, as I work in the nutrition field - it was nice to see things explained so reasonably (I have read other books which can be frightening in their approach to the 'nutrition' question). There are practical tips, such as the best ways to take iron supplements (with a meal, and/or with citrus, for better absorption and less of the sometime side effects) .... And good descriptions of some of the common complaints of pregnancy, as well as their causes (and whether there's anything a woman can do to avoid them). I also appreciated the information in the back, about potential problems with pregnancy. Let's face it - none of us want to have a difficult pregnancy, and we all want to have healthy babies. But the fact remains that sometimes that's not going to happen. I'd far rather have some idea what the complications might be, than lie panic-stricken on the exam table several months into a 'blissful' pregnancy, completely blind-sided by something that's come up. People who don't want to read or know about that information, can simply skip that section. But I think it's a great section to have on hand, because if something troubling does come up - you'll have an extra resource to explain in layman's terms what you and your partner (and child) may be facing.

I probably bought 15 pregnancy books while pregnant with my first baby last year and this was by far the best one. Concise (even though long), organized, well indexed and all around well rounded. I recommend the mother of all baby books as well and will be buying the mother of all toddler books when the time comes.

This book is extremely well researched, comprehensive and reassuring. I used this book during my second pregnancy and I wish it had been around during my first, since the book I was reading at the time made me paranoid about everything and left out all of the miraculous facts about pregnancy and babies that are in The Mother of All Pregnancy Books.I highly recommend this book to all pregnant women. Make it your main pregnancy resource!

All you have to do is visit your local bookstore to see how many books are devoted to pregnancy, infertility, and post-partum, etc. This is the ONLY book that successfully covers them ALL. Ann Douglas has given us the COMPLETE guide to having a baby- the first 4 chapters alone are devoted to preparing the body for pregnancy, along with the feelings that go along with "Are we really ready to have a baby?". This book is chock full of charts, statistics, and best of all, advice and testimonies from 100 couples Douglas interviewed. Not as clinical and stringent as "What to Expect"...., yet a little more serious than the "Girlfriend's Guide...", "Mother of All Pregnancy Books" is the be all end all of pregnancy books. Topics covered are as follows: *What does it really cost to raise children? *Watch your weight- but not too carefully *Create a "sperm-friendly" vaginal environment *The major causes of infertility *Finding Dr. Right *The pregnancy nutrient check *The top-ten 1st/2nd and 3rd trimester worries *What's normal and what's not *Pregnancy complaints from A-Z *What pre-natal testing can- and can't- tell you *Husband coached birth, or doula (a gir's best friend!) *What labor is REALLY like *When pregnancy isn't perfect (e.g. preemies, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, intrapartum death, molar pregnancy, etc.) *Your post-partum body- what to expect *The post-partum survival guide Did I lie? This book covers it all. The biggest complaint my friend had regarding Vicki Iovine's "Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy" (which I loved) was how casually the topic of miscarriage was handled (my friend, who is now due the same week as me, has experienced 2 miscarriages). Ann Douglas, however, has experienced infertility, miscarriage, AND stillbirth (and has 4 kids). The caring and frank way she deals with grieving over the loss of a baby (even suggesting spending time with your baby's body, dressing it and taking your picture with it to cry and grieve over later) was touching and impressive all at once. WARNING: If you're particularly emotional, or can't handle one more added worry at this point in your pregnancy, you might want to skip this chapter, for fear of adding to the ever-growing bag of morbid worries to may already have. But, it's nice to know the subject is covered if, God forbid, the worst happens. If you are considering having a baby, or even if you're already pregnant, YOU NEED THIS BOOK. Browse through it once and you'll be impressed, I guarantee.

As an expecting couple in canada this is the book to own. Its well written and gives you all the canadian facts. Our system and the american system are different and most books are geared to the american system leaving all the the hospital and ins information useless. This book has all the facts and more.I highly recommend it to expecting canadian couples.