Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: How to Stay Sane and Care for Yourself from Pre-Conception Through Birth

Extremely happy with this book. It is ONE OF A KIND, and will truly help you on your journey. We are using it as we move along in the process of ttc, pregnancy, and birth! If you are a lesbian couple, this book will be invaluable to you. I give it 5 stars!

Rachel Pepper's new edition of her Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians is a welcomed event. With her clear writing and pull-no-punches style, Rachel takes the mystery and fear out of this amazing and popular process. Lesbians deserve to be spoken to in our own language, and this book is accessible and smart in the best ways. Things I didn't know I didn't know are answered fully, informatively, and often with a lightheartedness that reaches across the page to the reader so we can understand what's going on. I would recommend this book to any single or coupled lesbians who are thinking of embarking on the baby journey.

Hooray! The second edition of this first-of-its-kind book has even more useful information and is totally up-to-date. The best thing about it is still the author's voice, which is strong and supportive -- and funny -- on every page. This book is infused with the wisdom of someone who's been through it all, back when there weren't any books about it, and is eager to shepherd others through the process. Equally encouraging are the many quotes from other dyke mamas (and mamas-to-be) describing their own experiences, from the just- thinking-about-it stage to actually giving birth. Some questions this book will help you think through: am I (are we) ready for kids? can I do it alone? how to choose a donor? what is it like, trying to get pregnant? what are my options if I don't get pregnant quickly? how will I handle being pregnant? what kind of birth do I hope for? what is it like for the non-bio mom? and what kind of family will we be in those early days? In each case the author doesn't tell you what to do, but helps you figure out what YOU want to do. She clearly has her own preferences -- unmedicated birth is best; circumcision sucks; breastfeeding rocks! -- but they are carefully argued, pretty persuasive, and the tone is consistently pro-child and pro-women. Sensibly, Pepper puts the tough stuff up front: the first chapter is about getting yourself as physically, mentally, financially and legally ready to start a family as you can possibly be. Then it's on to getting the goods, finding out what's going on under the hood, and starting the crazy ride on the conception "rollercoaster." The chapter offering Ten Tips to Keep You Sane during this crazy period is worth the price of the book alone! These early chapters are the most detailed and probably the ones you'll read over and over, but there are also useful roadmaps to each trimester, as well as a helpful section on sexuality and pregnancy, birth options, and the early weeks with your baby. There's also a comprehensive index and a helpful section on extra resources, from lesbian-friendly sperm banks to useful books to dyke-mama blogs. In a nice touch, the new edition is dedicated not only to "every lesbian dreaming baby dreams" but also "the many dyke daddies and tranny pops out there." Right on. As a further bonus, the new cover is gorgeous, as is the photo of the author and her now seven year old daughter -- clearly that rollercoaster was worth it! It all adds to the supportive, happy vibe of this indispensable guide to what the author calls "the wacky world of lesbian conception and pregnancy."

I found this book to be especially helpful during the trying-to-conceive and early pregnancy phases. Once my pregnancy was well underway, I relied more heavily upon other resources for more complete pregnancy info. Nevertheless, this book was absolutely indispensable to me during the emotionally challenging process of selecting a donor, using intrauterine insemination, managing medical issues (infertility, health insurance, etc.), and coping with early setbacks. The numerous quotes from others who have "been there" helped to normalize my feelings and experiences, while the author's matter of fact tone demystified the process and helped me know what to expect next. The tips for staying sane while trying were all relevant and useful. I read this book over and over for comfort when my partner and I felt like the only ones who'd ever felt what we were feeling, and for information about choices others have made under similar circumstances. A truly useful, comforting, practical and essential book for any lesbians trying to conceive. Highly recommended!

This is a well-written, comprehensive account of what you can expect at every step. Rachel is open, honest, and non-judgemental, and really helps us understand what we're getting into--both as parents and as lesbians. This book made me think and made me laugh. I first got it through the library, but decided I had to have it for my own collection. I highly recommend it!