Rating: 
Summary: Updated information on genetic testing and medications
Review: A number of people have written asking if a revised edition is forthcoming. While none is planned in the immediate future, the vast majority of the information contained in BEFORE YOU CONCEIVE is still accurate and relevant to planning for a healthy pregnancy. Please refer to my most recent book, THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDE TO HAVING A BABY (published in 1999), for the latest information on prepregnancy genetic testing and an updated chart which reviews the safety of a wide variety of medications before and during pregnancy. I think you will also find that this latter book will serve you well as a comprehensive resource during the pregnancy you or a loved one is planning.
Rating: 
Summary: Outdated, Needs Update/Revision
Review: Although the underlying concept of this book is good, I found several problems with it which, I believe, necessitates a major revision. First: The publication date of this book is **** 1989; TEN years ago. **** Science progresses very quickly and there have been many new studies, discoveries, and issues raised (*especially* in the area of prepregnancy and pregnancy) which the book undoubtedly does not cover at all, does not cover enough, or may simply have incorrect information on. Due to the publication date of the book, I found myself very suspicious about certain information in the book, especially when the author makes a statement such as "not much is known," or "studies are still needed." I also feel suspicious when I read the statement that MRI is a "new and still experimental medical procedure." Ten years ago, MRIs * were * new and experimental-10 years ago I sat in one for two hours to have 4 pictures of my hand taken-now, MRI is well-established and takes considerably less time. No doubt, more research on its uses and effects has been done. In another example, the book mentions folic acid somewhat, but recent studies have put a brighter spotlight on this vitamin and new information has come out that may benefit us. Second: The book, in my opinion, spends too much time focusing on risk factors that are specific to certain ethnic groups, people with certain diseases, people with past pregnancy problems, and other issues that are not applicable to everyone. Pages 149-369 are just that, and I found myself simply skipping most of the pages because I am not from certain ethnic groups and I do not have pre-existing diseases, I have not been pregnant before, I am not over 35, and I am not particularly at risk for particular (ethnic-specific) genetic diseases. I was disappointed that I paid for such a large book, most of which I ended up skipping. I do not deny that these issues are important, however, I would suggest that the book be revised to include, in addition to updated information, more explanation of the areas that are common to * everyone * in order to make the book more useful to everyone. For this, specifically, I thought that the sections dealing with toxins and medications were not complete enough, and that they could be expanded, as I know that exposure to toxins and the effects of medication are my MAJOR concerns when it comes to pregnancy. The section dealing with toxins did not list HOUSEHOLD toxins, rather it listed toxins in the workplace. One occupation in the table was titled "homemakers and domestic workers" and vaguely listed the toxins as "detergents, soaps, hydrocarbons, solvents, alkalies, bleaches, formaldehyde." I would like to see a list of brand names of common household products (cleaners, detergents, soaps, fabric softeners, air fresheners, cooking sprays, etc.), what chemicals they contain, and what the risk factors are, similar to the list of prescription and OTC drugs. I would like to know what I should and should not be using in my house, and perhaps a list of toxin-free products could be included. The list of OTC drugs should also be updated to delete medicines no longer on the market, those with changed names, changed formulae, and to include drugs that have been introduced in the past ten years. The same applies for the list of prescription drugs, especially to include the wide variety of birth control pills now available. Therefore, if the authors read this, I want to suggest that this book DESPERATELY NEEDS an updated edition to accomplish what I outlined above, as well as to correct some spelling and grammatical mistakes I encountered in the first few chapters. I did appreciate the list of questions to ask yourself about preferences for an obstetrician, and the list of questions to ask the doctor and the prepregnancy checklist were both particularly helpful. For the reader, I would suggest a more updated book on the subject, if it exists, until the authors can revise and update this book. If there is no other such book, then this is an excellent start.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for everyone......
Review: I agree with the customer review by taqwaa@hotmail.com. I felt alot of the info. contained in the book was not only alarmist but directed to a certain sector of the population....mostly woman with certain risk factors. I found myself skipping most of the book or skimming through chapters and basically just read the chapters on exercise and nutrition. I found the book to be a bit paranoid and definitely NOT what I thought I was buying. While there is no doubt that the book gives thorough treatment to the subject at hand, I suggest that if you are below 30 and have no significant risk factors or genetics problems, you find a more general and updated prepregnancy guide.
Rating: 
Summary: Details, Details
Review: I am not yet pregnant, but after reading this book, I feel that I am that much more prepared for that day. This book provides the reader with lots of information regarding pregnancy and offers you lots of questions to consider as part of your pre-pregnancy planning. After reading this book, I have definitely made some decisions for my future pregnancy, such as the type of physician I will use and the type of delivery that I want to have. This book is well worth the price. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, this book is a good place to start to gather information. It provides you with a variety of things to consider before you become pregnant.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Informative
Review: I bought this book about a year ago when I first decided I was ready for kids. Since then I have discovered that I'm not going to get pregnant as easily as I thought or hoped. This book has been wonderful for me because I am over 30 and I will need a little medical intervention to get pregnant. It described much of what I am going through now with my Doctor to get pregnant. A younger friend of mine thought the book was a bit "alarmist". However, I appreciated the sections on "What could happen". It answered a lot of questions that I have had about Down's Syndrome, Multuiples, and so on... I think it is extremely important to be educated on all the possibilities before you venture into something as important and life changing as having a baby. I loved the section on prescription and over the counter drug interactions, but I did wish it was a little more comprehensive. For example, they listed almost every cough & cold medicine known to man, but did not mention nasal sprays like Afrin. The only true draw back to this book is it's age. It was written in 1989 and I'm certain there have been many advances and changes in the field in the past decade. All in all, it is a wonderful, mature reference. My conversations with my Doctor about my fertility problems would have been awful and confusing and frightning had I not read this book.
Rating:
Summary: While outdated, there is some good information in this book
Review: I bought this book while in the early stages of planning a pregnancy and found that a large chunk of the book seemed outdated or old-fashioned to me. However, there were some great tips on nutrition and conception. The part I really didn't like was the lengthy rundown of harmful substances and jobs- it seemed too weird to me the way it was all written. I definately think there are better books out there.
Rating:
Summary: Very Informative!
Review: I found "Before you concieve" to be very informative. It reminded me of the need to be healthy Before getting pregnant, not once you are pregnant. The only down side to this text is that it was printed in the 80s without updated editions, as far as I could find. This made me wonder if all the "precautions" or "dont worry" topics are still true. I found the text to be very easy to read. I read it cover to cover. I would recommend it to any couple considering getting pregnant
Rating:
Summary: pretty good book--getting old
Review: I liked this book (and loved Sussman's other book, The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby). I agree with the other 2 customer reviews--there is good information, but the book does seem a little dated. There *is* a lot of information here--I found the list of things to avoid very detailed and very helpful (I specifically wanted this information).
Rating:
Summary: Probably a good book with lots of info, but very old.
Review: I ordered this book not thinking to look at the copyright date! When I got the book the front cover had a lady from the 80's on it and I was kind of disappointed because I never expected to be sold something so old! It was written in 1989 and things have probably changed since then. I'm not sure what's old school and what really happens now days!! I'd look for a newer book if I were you.
Rating:
Summary: Both of his books are excellent
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well as Dr. Sussman's brand new book, The Unofficial Guide to Having A Baby. Dr. Sussman, thank you for writing two excellent books that give prospective parents the facts they need to increase their odds of conceiving quickly and having a healthy baby.
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