Rating: 
Summary: an empowering pregnancy book
Review: Sheila Kitzinger is one of the first resources I read when beginning to educate myself about my upcoming pregnancy and birth. When I read the hostile review below I was baffled. I felt that they had read a different book. I had been especially struck by how even handed Kitzinger's approach was, and how she very consciously wove in the father's perspective throughout the text of the book. When I rechecked the quotes given as proof, I was reminded by how blown out of proportion things can be when taken out of context and re-written in light of a very skewed interpretation. Nowhere in this book did I ever get the feeling that men where the enemy and I felt that doctors where presented as one option. I never felt she was branding the medical professional as evil, so much as she was trying to empower women to take ownership of this very natural process. From the experience of a number of women in my life who chose to have their babies naturally and/or at home, I know there is still a lot of resistance from the medical profession. I think the bottom line is simply that Kitzinger wants to help you make an educated choice about what it is you want and to make your experience of birth as positive as possible. And for the record, I'm happily married and am probably having a birth in a hospital.
Rating:
Summary: Unbiased information to make your own decisions
Review: Sheila Kitzinger, a well-known home-birth advocate
and author of many excellent books, has written this
comprehensive guide in a way that informs the reader
about the typical medical tests, procedures, interventions
and explains their purposes and the situations in which may be most beneficial for those who choose them. The individuality of each pregnancy is acknowledged and respected,
and no judgements are made or implied regarding the use of tests,
epidurals, artificial induction, etc., other than to simply describe what they are and how and when they are generally used.
It is nice to read about natural births, home births, bonding time,
etc., without all of the cold medical warnings and threats for a change.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL..INFORMED....
Review: Shelia Kitzinger whom is a leader in birth education as well as a socal anthropologist with extensive research in birth, and breastfeeding has written a wonderful book..some might say she is against the medical profession, I however would say she respects it. Leading from the days where we BLINDLY trust our doctors to play god with our bodies..to the day instead that we work together with them in partnership. Some would say that she is against men..even going so far as to insinuate she doesn't use the word husband it isn't allowed in her book..well many FATHERS are NOT HUSBANDS..that doesn't make them less important..would seem to me that if she hated men she might say "sperm donor." Her book is insitful...raising issues to discuss with your healthcare professional...a wonderful resource for anyone looking to be a participant in their birth experience and further advance what the medical profession has to offer. To take birth into a new dimension, to make their birth their own. I can't praise Sheila enough for her extraordinary fresh look into the future of birth and how it can be...taking the good from the past..both medical and non medical putting it together into a system you create. Working with your partner (THE PARTNER IN PROCREATION) and your health care team, to fit your birth and your experience mentally and physically into something that feels comfortable for you. If you are looking to be an active participant in your birth..this book belongs on your bedside table.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for expectant mothers ....... could save a life!
Review: That is 5+++++++++ ......
I purchased this book as an informative book to help me with my first pregnancy .... it is a very detailed, thorough book and I felt it a great help during my pregnancy as my partner and I followed the week by week pictures and information so that we knew (how or rather) what our baby was up to! Pregnancy should be a straightforward process but unfortunately it is not always that way and you definitely need to be able to refer to information that can help you in an emergency. When I had spot bleeding in my 7 month of pregnancy I went straight to the section in the book that talks about spotting and what could be happening and it encouraged me to go to my local hospital which was very, very, very fortunate because I was actually in labour and my baby was coming!!!!!!!!!! Without this book for guidance I may have had my 3 month premature baby at home and she would never have survived! I thank this book for it's existence and wonderful advice! For this very reason, I recommend this book to any first time mums .... or any expecting mums out there .... just so you know, I chose not to read the section on "things that can go wrong" in your pregnancy but thank goodness it was there because I really needed it in the end! Goodluck in your pregnancy and good reading, Kristina
Rating:
Summary: Expect More When You're Expecting
Review: The first book I bought on pregnancy, and the only one I'd recommend. Next to all the cutely titled gimmicks filling bookstore shelves, this book sits packed with useful information. It is not information filtered through a commercialized medical system, but through the eyes of an experienced childbirth expert and mother. Kitzinger is unafraid of tackling any subject and leaves the reader unafraid of asking any question.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing pro-birth book
Review: There are two kind of women out there: Those who want a traditional doctor who will "take care of everything for them" along with a traditional hospital birth with lots of medication options and an episiotomy, and those who want something more personal--who want their own body to do the work, who want help from experienced women and who want an intimate, memorable experience they can share with their partner. This is a book for the second type of woman. Those who are a little more, ahem, "traditional" should get "What to Expect When You're Expecting" (a book that I happen to think treats women like morons). "The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth" is an amazing, amazing book. It is so pro-family--talking about the importance of including husbands and even other family members if you should so choose. I am baffled by the anti-man comments in another review...this book is so incredibly pro-husband! In fact, it is my own husband's favorite pregnancy book. I'm also baffled by the criticism of waterbirth. Yes, the book does touch on waterbirth, which may sound strange to a middle-American, but is a very popular option in New York, San Francisco, Austin, Los Angeles, Seattle and other modern American cities--as well as a popular option in England, Canada, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, etc. That said, the book also objectively--Kintzinger does no bashing--discusses hospital-style procedures such as forcep deliver, episiotomy, epidurals, etc. Kitzinger is a big believer in having supportive, experienced, compassionate people around you, which is why she is such a fan of midwives, but she also discusses how to find such support in the hopsital among nurses and doctors.She even has pictures of a woman giving birth in a hospital using physical positions other than the flat-on-the-back position we all associate with hopsitals. As for the alcohol criticism, it's true. Kitzinger does say alcohol is okay in very small amounts. Before you get all hot and bothered, it's important to remember that Kitzinger is a European, a Brit. Having had personal, direct experience with French midwives, I know that not every country shares America's belief that women need completely abstain from alcohol during pregnancy. Most European midwives and doctors do say small amounts of alcohol are safe once you're past the first trimester. (In fact, I was told by a French doctor to have one two three glasses of red wine each week to "strengthen my blood" and "raise my iron levels." So go figure.) As for alcohol units, an earlier reviewer's translation isn't quite correct: In Britain a unit isn't an entire glass of wine, bottle of beer, etc. It's more akin to a half-filled small wine glass...what would only be a few ounces. Something to think about before everyone starts witch hunting! It's important to remember that not everyone wants the kind of hopsital births their American mothers had--and to appreciate that there are terrific options out there for us all. This book is a godsend for those of us who prefer options!
Rating:
Summary: a fabulous book that covers a lot of territory
Review: This book extensively covers the physical and emotional changes in pregnancy in a positive and realistic way. It has chapters about the experience of birth including what the "pain" of labor is really like. It also covers breastfeeding and the first ten days after birth as well as having a week-by-week guide to pregnancy, due date calculator, and birth plan assistance. The photographic sequences are moving and fabulous, and show alternative positions for giving birth. The photos of the just-born babies examining their new world are something to treasure. There is also great, clear photo sequences of before-and-after pregnancy exercises, comfortable sleeping positions, and great illustrations of the baby growing in you. Also includes info on twins, "pregnant again", and miscarriage. There is a beautifully written and tender chapter on the father and his experience of preg/birth. I would highly recommend this book and get it instead of "What to Expect" which only has one view of the process!!! ---Especially if you do not want to be blindly going through the process of pregnancy & birth, led along by your doctor. All in all, this is great book for pregnant women -- whether birthing at a hospital w/ an ObGyn, a birth center w/ a midwife, or even at home it remains positive and non-judgemental. A great way to get information from someone who has been writing on the subject of childbirth for 20 years and has had five children herself!
Rating:
Summary: The best of the illustrated guides
Review: This book is a beautifully illustrated guide to pregnancy. Now in its fourth edition, it has earned a reputation as an authoritative and comforting guide to pregnancy and birth. This is my favorite of all the illustrated guides to pregnancy: the one every expectant couple should own. The tone of the book is also bang-on. Kitzinger is never patronizing. Instead she empowers pregnant women and their partners, assuring them that they can handle the challenges that they will face en route to parenthood. Five stars.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful pregnancy and birth book
Review: This book is fantastic. My midwife recommended it to me and I just love it! It covers home birth as well as hospital birth and is wonderfully informative. The pictures are beautiful, and make my pregnanc heart melt. A very sensitive book, highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: The best first time Mom-to-be book you'll ever need to read!
Review: This book is the most complete book I have found on pregnancy and childbirth. It is updated for the the 90's and has very useful and easy-to-read information. The photographs and diagrams are quite graphic and wonderful for any first time mom-to-be!
Ms. Kitzinger is the best in the business!
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