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Summary: The ultimate companion to the delivery room
Review: I'm a first time Dad that has read or browsed most all of the contemporary pregnancy books. This is undoubtably my favorite. It's simple, straight-forward, detailed, yet practical. Designed as a guide for doulas, partners, midwives, and all birthpartners this book is useful to experts and beginners alike. Not only is the information solid and thorough, the presentation is warm and confident. I have memorized the material and found it to be a profound help. Very easy to refer to in a pinch. Thanks Penny -- this is a classic.
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Summary: IT's good
Review: It helped me to better assist my wife in the labor and delivery areas.
It is good reading for all that want to be in the room when the baby comes.
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Summary: A good buy!!!
Review: It is written to tell couples about a mid wife, but it actually helped me to better assist my wife during labor and delivery.
It's a good buy to khow some of the things going on.
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Summary: For pregnant women, fathers-to-be, family members & friends
Review: Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Penny Simkin's The Birth Partner: Everything You Need To Know To Help A Woman Through Childbirth continues to be one of the most "user friendly" guides available for pregnant women, fathers-to-be, family members, friends and loved ones wanting to be of help to the expectant mother throughout the event of child birth. Here is are explained are the definitive and up-to-date techniques and devices for easing labor pain; epidural anesthesia and other medications; tests and treatments of the fetus and newborn; vaginal birth after cesarean; and more. If you or your loved one is preparing to give birth, you need to sit down and carefully read through Penny Simkin's The Birth Partner!
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Summary: Help for the partner
Review: Once again Penny Simkin makes being a partner easier! The new edition is simpler to use than the first and is packed with information that anyone assisting a woman in labor will need. A must have for doulas and partners.
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Summary: The Childbirth *Bible*
Review: One reviewer said you get more that you expect - without a doubt! I bought this book for my husband so HE could be fully prepared, and found myself reading it first - so *I* could be prepared. It gives the most complete description of all the phases of labor, with diagrams, words on how long each will last, what the mother feels, what the caregiver may do, how the support person may feel and what (s)he can do to help. The author, Penny Simpkin, describes comfort measures, labor positions and strategies for difficult labors & births.In addition, she describes the medical side of childbirth - including all the tests, interventions & procedures, offering the purpose, disadvantages and alternatives for each. There is a chart with all the available pain medications, their desired effects, other possible effects and precautions & procedures for safe use. I found that armed with objective, straight-forward information, I feel that we can now take charge of our care, in combination with a doctor we trust. Ms. Simpkin does not preach - she simply lays out all the facts and makes it possible for you to make informed decisions. Awesome book. Skip Lamaze - get this book.
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Summary: This is a must have for every COUPLE expecting....
Review: Penny Simkin created a winner here. The Birth Partner is direct, unconfrontational and extremely helpful. I highly recommend it for the analysis of pain tolerance and quick reference sections. Would be a great help to a dad or any other labor support person who feels overwhelmed by the task. Pros and cons of each intervention and procedure are thoughtful and suscinct. The one book which should accompany you to the delivery room.
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Summary: A Birth Partners Bible
Review: There is no other book that even comes close to this extensive and perfectly written and edited book on how to help a woman through childbirth. I have 2 children and my husband read every word with the first and second baby! For Dad's to be -this IS the only book you will need--- trust me, read every page!!!
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Summary: The single best book I have read on the subject, bar none
Review: This book has been a huge help with preparing for the birth of our first child. From start to finish, there is almost no fluff or extraneous material. Penny outlines exactly what is happening at each point of labor and exactly what the birth partner can do to help. She also writes in clear, easy to understand language about complications and medicines, so you are prepared ahead of time, as a team, with how to deal with them.
I truly can't recommend this book highly enough.
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Summary: invaluable resource & security blanket
Review: This book is concise, well-organized, and very helpful. It is not jokey or cute or alarmist. We loved it and read it thoroughly before the birth of each of our two kids. Its great to have in that bag you tote to the hospital even if you never refer to it or need it
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