The New Mother's Body Book

I am baffled by the comments of the reviewer below me, Celeste Hamer. I think she does this author and her book a grave disservice. Quite frankly, I don't think anybody who has not given birth is qualified to judge this book. Believe me, Shannon, the author, tells it like it is. I got this book as a baby shower gift when I was pregnant with my first child (I now have two) and recently bought it as a shower gift for a friend. I found it immensely helpful and I'm sure my friend will agree. Hamer, the reviewer, would have you believe this book is nothing but negative talk about what happens to your body after you give birth. On the contrary, Shannon goes to great lengths to discuss the many positive physical--and emotional--changes. For example, she covers how having given birth reduces your risks of many types of cancer, how it arrests and even cures, in some cases, the painful condition called endometriosis, how it apparently increases fertility in women who had a difficult time getting pregnant the first time, and how it so marvelously changes your priorities and your perspective on life. One of Hamer's criticisms is based on her experience with female gymnasts--did she not read the part of the book in which Shannon discusses how having given birth enhanced the performance of several well-known athletes? Even when Shannon gets into the "minuses" (and I have yet to find the passage where Hamer says the author states that "you'll forever have problems relieving yourself") she offers tips on how to improve the situation. For example, believe me, sleep deprivation is a BIG problem, especially in the first few months after birth. This was a major challenge even for me, a stay-at-home mom whose husband was very willing to lend a hand and who had flexible work hours to boot. Some of Shannon's suggestions were lifesavers.Finally, Hamer dismisses this book as "lies and garbage." Before I left the workforce to raise my kids, I was a health journalist. Trust me, the experts Shannon interviewed and quotes, and the medical journals she cites, are among the most respected in the world. Sorry for the length of this. I just get steamed when I see a hatchet job that isn't warranted.

Finally a book that addresses the "after the birth issues" - how you look and feel different, inside and out. Great to read through or to browse, I found it to be a great resource and also recommend it to all my pregnant friends to prepare them for what might be. Not only enlightening, it's a fun read, too.