Rating: 
Summary: He is a sexist christian bigot.
Review: The book looked okay till I read the last chapter. He proceeded to give a sermon about how monogomy and male-female relationships are so important because the bible says so. He also says that women are only good for having children, and that a relationship is empty unless you have the correct genitalia to fit together. (he is anti-lesbian) He also says that sex without love is bad, he calls it "mutual masturbation." His book was fine without the value judgements that only serve to alienate many readers. Just stick to what you're good at, the medical practice, and leave sermons to pastors, because that's not what I paid for! I am returning the book.
Rating:
Summary: One doctor's opinion no substitute for research studies
Review: This book has a reassuring tone and lots of useful information, and I do appreciate that. But I was disturbed to see that the author pronounces upon subjects such as episiotomy, c-section, use of midwives, homebirth, IVs, etc. without referring to any of the available evidence suggesting best practices. Readers should not assume that just because someone is an MD who has successfully delivered babies in the past that that person is entirely familiar with the medical literature and what scientific research says is safest. The author sometimes says things like 'despite what popular pregnancy books will tell you, do this' as though, because he is a doctor, he can automatically dismiss anyone else by referring to his personal experience. Medical research studies are undertaken precisely because the personal, anecdotal experience of a single doctor is not a reliable guide to what constitutes good medical care. Compare this book, which offers no references or citations for its statements, with Henci Goer's A Thinking Woman's Guide to A Better Birth, which is based entirely upon research of the medical literature and contains extensive (hundreds of pages) citations to studies published in peer-reviewed, respected medical journals. DiLeo claims that all good OBs keep abreast of the most recent medical literature (for example, reading all the literature on how to prevent c-sections). I respect doctors and the work that they do, but think about how harried and overworked YOUR doctor is. Do you really think your doc is going home to his/her family at night, after a 12-hour day seeing patients and filling out insurance paperwork, to sit down with medical journals, read them, digest them, and consider how best to alter her/his daily practice in order to put that research to use? Good luck! I don't advocate being antagonistic toward your doctor and questioning their every move (actually, I advocate using a midwife), but please don't swallow this paternalistic 'trust me, I know' attitude without finding out for yourself. Learn about US c-section rates compared to those of other industrialized countries, and learn how the US stacks up in maternal-infant wellbeing. Learn how the expense of malpractice insurance and the rigidness of 'hospital policy' dictate your birth experience. Take advantage of the wonderful care our medical system has to offer, when you need it, but don't let the medical system take advantage of you.
Rating: 
Summary: Great!
Review: This book is perfect! The format makes it easy to read, and the author's sense of humor makes it a joy to read. Buy it for yourself and a copy for anyone you know who is planning to have a baby. You'll have all your questions about pregnancy answered.
Rating:
Summary: No other pregnancy book like it!
Review: This book is so intelligent and warm. It's amazing how Dr. DiLeo was able to balance clear explanations of complications of pregnancy with a comforting perspective. While the other books talk about the way you should have your baby, this one tells you the pros and cons of each way so that you can decide. I'm reading it for the second time and I'm still in the first trimester. It's like having a doctor who's your friend and taking as much time as you want to ask about anything you want.
Rating:
Summary: Higly recommend
Review: This is a wonderful book on pregnancy. My niece is 19, and I'm 38, and we're both using it for our pregnancies. It covers everything, and it's so easy to read. If I didn't know what I was getting into getting pregnant at this point, now I know--and everything is explained in a way where I'm not even worried. I can deal with it now. This author definitely wins your heart.
Rating:
Summary: Great Resource - Fun and Smart
Review: This is by far one of the best, most-entertaining books I've read on pregnancy and childbirth. Dr. DiLeo offers an abundance of helpful information, yet does it with great style. I laughed at many points throughout this book, and really felt I was getting my information from a friend -- someone who is very knowledgable about the field of obstetrics yet sensitive to a woman's needs. To those saying he is all about episiotomies and the like, I disagree. He is very clear about saying he does not do automatic episiotomies, his patients have a right to refuse them if they wish, and that he certainly wouldn't do one if a patient didn't seem like she was going to tear. Additionally, I saw NOTHING in the book discussing the low-cost of home birth versus caring for a vegetable (as mentioned in another review). DiLeo is honest in saying that when life threatening complications occur, the best situation for mother and child is to be in a hospital. I have a friend who had extremely little to no intervention during birth yet ran into complications so dire she and her daughter would have died without the care of the hospital staff. Maybe this is a rare situation, but I think this is what DiLeo is addressing -- that IF there is a problem, the hospital is the place to be. Hard to argue with that. I'd hate to see somebody not read this wonderful book simply because they disagree on this one point. There is much more to pregnancy than where a woman gives birth.
Rating:
Summary: Abused as a child...and pregnant
Review: This is the only book that talks about getting pregnant after having been sexually abused as a child. I would have never had the courage to report this to my doctor had it not been for Dr. DiLeo's advice that such information is important, the aspects of pregnancy possibly leading to "flashbacks". My doctor was surprised and very impressed to learn that this subject was addressed and asked to see the section. She even confessed to me that she was a victim of abuse, herself! Of course, I'd like to see a whole book just on this, but the fact that this book deals with it and post-traumatic stress syndrome from abuse is so commendable. I don't have any handicapped children, but the author also talks about the psychological impact of trying to have another baby if a previous one is handicapped. This happens so often, it's beyond me why such important subjects are ignored in the other books. This is a compassionate and informative book. The subjects important to me caught my eye immediately, but the rest of the book is a winner, too!
Rating:
Summary: Please research beyond this book
Review: Though this book may have some insightful information and can calm a parent's fears, it is woefully misinformed in some areas. His discussion of anesthesia basically boils down to get an epidural as a convenience to the staff in case any rare complications do come up. Also his diatribe on home birth ignores all current medical evidence (all of which has said that home birth is as safe or safer that hospital birth in low-risk women with trained attendants). At one point he demeans the reader by saying something like the low cost of home birth is nothing compared to the caring for a vegetable! Another interesting topic he brought up was that he "believes" in nurse-midwives if they are under the supervision of MD's. Not only is the author confused about the autonomous practice of these midwives but he fails to mention that in all countries with better maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates than the US, midwives are the primary providers of care. The overall tone of the book is better safe than sorry in all aspects of care (even though he doesn't go into the disadvantages of the things he recommends) to the point of dismissing the woman and her family's experience of and desires about this very important event. Please read other books and research on your own before you take this man's word as your's. Some other great books on pregnancy and childbirth include: Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Penny Simkin, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer, The Birth Book by the Sears, Birthing From Within by Pam England. The only thing I came away with from this book is to run far away from this doctor's practice!
Rating:
Summary: Soon to be in Portugese?
Review: When I heard the Portugese rights to this book had been bought, I was very excited because I had seen this book while visiting friends in the USA and liked it very much. I was considering pregnancy and since I know English, I ordered the American English edition. This book is very wonderful in any language. It explains things so clearly and makes me really look forward to pregnancy (when it happens!). I really enjoy this book and recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: At last! The book I've been waiting for.
Review: Where has this author been? I've been looking for someone to explain pregnancy like this for 2 babies now. It's like you're all alone in a consultation room--just you and your doctor. The conversational tone is so warm and reassuring, even my biggest worries were put into a worry-free perspective. And funny! Every page has a smile and a laugh, like little time-bombs throughout the book. Dr. DiLeo's not afraid to tell it like it is about insurance companies, doctors, nurses, and alternate birthing "experiences." His chapter on controversies in obstetrics has material I've never seen in any other pregnancy book. It's like they don't have a clue about some of these things. I highly recommend this book. Incredible information and great fun by someone who takes care of you like a friend.
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