The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby - Softcover

The book's tone can be impersonal, which seems natural considering that it was put together by two authors, a team of editors, and a panel of birth experts including a doctor, a nurse, and a nutritionist. For color commentary, 150 new parents were consulted, but their voices are not the book's strong point, offering such pallid advice as, "A good-quality stroller will see you through all your children, whereas a cheapie will cost you again and again." The book's "Unofficial" moniker seems to refer more to the guide's commitment to laying out all the alternatives than to an irreverent stance. (Those looking for in-the-trenches attitude and tried-and-true advice might turn instead to Vicki Iovine's superb The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy or Ariel Gore's The Hip Mama Survival Guide.) While the book's hesitance to pronounce on emotional topics is largely laudable, in some cases it backfires. In 818 pages, the authors devote just a few paragraphs to single-mother and lesbian pregnancies--though, to be fair, a resource directory is offered. Overall, though, this guide fills a much-needed information gap in the pregnancy book market.

Having a baby is one of life’s most joyous–and overwhelming–events. The choices you make now will affect your baby’s health long after it is born. How should you change your lifestyle now that you are pregnant? How can you be sure that your baby is developing properly? What should you expect at each doctor’s visit? And how on earth will you survive labor?

Now thoroughly updated with more than 200 pages of new and completely revised material, including week-by-week pregnancy tips, The Unofficial GuideTM to Having a Baby gives savvy parents-to-be like you a foolproof appraisal of what works and what doesn’t–revealing things even your doctor won’t (or can’t) tell you, with unbiased recommendations that are not influenced by any company, product, or organization.

• Vital Information that other sources can’t or won’t reveal–including the very latest research on prenatal and genetic testing.
• Insider Secrets on how to weather the physical and emotional highs and lows of pregnancy, with tips on health, exercise, sex, and career management.
• Money-Saving Tips that help you save on baby gear and maternity wear.
• The Latest Trends in new childbirth methods, including Doula care, pain management, and alternative birthing options.
• Handy Checklists and Charts to track your baby’s development, identify potentially dangerous medications and drugs, and record the milestones in your pregnancy.