For a Blissful Baby: Healthy and Happy Pregnancy With Maharishi Vedic Medicine

Rating:
Summary: Some serious problems
Review: Because I was interested in holistic approaches to pregnancy, I was very excited to read this book when I was pregnant with my second child. In retrospect, however, Dr. Reddy steered me seriously wrong in some fundamentals. Following the Ayurvedic texts somewhat rigidly, she recommends against eating more often than three meals a day. I attempted to do this, and was constantly starving - I wound up eating full meals in the middle of the night, just so I could be full enough to sleep! As a result of this unrealistic approach, I gained over 50 pounds. Similarly, she repeats the ayurvedic text's outline of not sleeping in the afternoon. This is also not practical for most pregnant women, who need to rest a huge amount. When I was physically unable to follow her guidelines, I felt guilty, of course, that I wasn't providing my baby with the "best start possible." Some time after I gave birth, I was in touch with some trained Ayurvedic doctors in India, and asked them about the eating question. They said that as long as my body was functioning well and digesting properly, there was no problem with eating more often during the day. Ultimately, I chose to handle the pregnancy as I did, and I take responsibility for my decisions. However, I suspect that Dr. Reddy is not completely trained in ayurveda, but rather has a cursory knowledge, and as a result she presents information without appropriate context. In all fairness, there were many ideas in the book that I did benefit from, especially the suggestion to meditate regularly.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightened Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Parenting
Review: Every woman (and man) who intends to become a parent--and every health professional--should read this book. What a relief to finally have an easy-to-read connection between every aspect of prenatal and postpartum health to Nature's cosmic intelligence. This book is spiritual but without any religious overtones, making it culturally sensative yet universally applicable. It teaches practical how-to techniques to improve maternal and infant health with simple methods that have been time-tested for thousands of years--fostering trust in their effectiveness. The authors draw extensively on the knowledge of Ayur-Veda, the most complete system of health from ancient India. The book details the course of conception, pregnancy, and childbirth according to modern science, supplemented by relevant quotes from Vedic texts, and advises on maternal diet and exercise according to individual body types. We get recommendations on daily massage for mother and newborn, with references to research and anecdotes from parents who have used the specific methods described here. "For a Blissful Baby" also refers to the benefits of practicing the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program, citing ample scientific research supporting the practical value of this particular technique for prospective parents. This research indicates that TM reduces stress, hypertension, depression, ill-health and substance use while developing creativity, happiness, and energy--all signs of higher levels of consciousness, and ideal parenting. And development of consciousness is described as really essential for ideal parenting. If every maternity clinic in the country gave this book out, I'd bet we would see a huge drop in childbirth complications, postpartum depression, and child abuse and neglect. This could realistically ensure the newest generation's growing up in a nurturing environment. Every child deserves a holistic approach to birth and growth, and parents who are happy and healthy; this book could be mom's and dad's best friend.

Rating:
Summary: Rest with Mediation is the key to a stress-free pregnancy
Review: We all know how important rest is during pregnancy but if you ever had any doubts on what is the best way to get that rest, read this book. I meditated 2 hours daily throughout my pregnancy and the entire 9 months and birth were effortless and so happy. Some of the recommendations in the book I ignored (like the modified demand feeding of your baby after 2 weeks) but the most important recommmendation - learn and practice Transcendental Meditation - is the best advice I could give any expecting mother. This book is filled with convincing scientific studies if you are hesitant.

Rating:
Summary: Rest with Mediation is the key to a stress-free pregnancy
Review: We all know how important rest is during pregnancy but if you ever had any doubts on what is the best way to get that rest, read this book. I meditated 2 hours daily throughout my pregnancy and the entire 9 months and birth were effortless and so happy. Some of the recommendations in the book I ignored (like the modified demand feeding of your baby after 2 weeks) but the most important recommmendation - learn and practice Transcendental Meditation - is the best advice I could give any expecting mother. This book is filled with convincing scientific studies if you are hesitant.