Having Twins And More : A Parent's Guide to Multiple Pregnancy, Birth, and Early Childhood

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Summary: This twin LOVES this book!
Review: As a "natural" mother and twin, I was immediately drawn to Elizabeth Noble's book Having Twins and More. I appreciated her frank discussion of many sensitive topics, including no dairy, no ultrasounds, no circumcision, etc. Having had a baby at home as well as in hospital, I understand the importance of the setting of birth--something hospitals do not take into consideration (or care about) and about which most parents are clueless. I would buy this as a gift for anyone I know who is expecting multiple babies. Actually, it has value for any woman who is pregnant, twins or not.

Rating:
Summary: This twin LOVES this book!
Review: As a "natural" mother and twin, I was immediately drawn to Elizabeth Noble's book Having Twins and More. I appreciated her frank discussion of many sensitive topics, including no dairy, no ultrasounds, no circumcision, etc. Having had a baby at home as well as in hospital, I understand the importance of the setting of birth--something hospitals do not take into consideration (or care about) and about which most parents are clueless. I would buy this as a gift for anyone I know who is expecting multiple babies. Actually, it has value for any woman who is pregnant, twins or not.

Rating:
Summary: Having Twins and MOre
Review: As a HypnoBirthing® instuctor and childbirth educator, I think this is the best book out there for mom's expecting twins. I have read many books about having twins and most dwell on the risks and dangers of multiple birth. There are more risks involved in twin birth and a book would hardly be balanced if this were not mentioned. However this book is a positive statement to moms of muliples that they can have the natural vaginal birth they want in most cases. There are lots of stories of moms who have birthed naturally and successfully. There is much info about twins in general. This book gives moms hope that they can aviod cesarean birth most of the time. It tells when a cesarean is indicated and when it is not. A good thing to have if your doctor is induction or cesarean happy.

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Summary: The truth will set you free
Review: As someone who recommends reading material to patients about many health-related subjects, I value most of all those who tell the whole story. I don't find it provokes anxiety - it's inspirational!! Ms. Noble fearlessly exposes the many myths about twin pregnancy, frankly portrays the joys and challenges of birthing and raising twins, and most importantly, puts the power of knowledge and compassionate choice directly into the hands of of current and future parents. My clinical experience tells me that the better informed people are, the better their clinical outcomes are, all around. So, if what you want is information that will empower you to make the best choices for you and your twins, devour this book! Your doctors may not thank you (you'll make them work harder), but one day your children will!!! And you'll feel better, too . . . I buy and gift a copy of this to any patient or friend I know who's expecting twins. My thanks to Ms. Noble for her caring candor!!

Rating:
Summary: Congratulations!
Review: As the mother of two pairs of twins, I consider myself an expert to comment on Elizabeth Taylor's book. I want to congratulate her for explaining clearly that a twin pregnancy is not a disease. Women expecting twins need to know that the birth of their baby can be straightforward if they are lucky enough to be assisted by nobody else than an experienced midwife who is not scared by multiple births. Unfortunately I am referring to an endangered species.

Rating:
Summary: A Parent's Guide to Fear and Guilt
Review: Do not read this book if you are an expecting parent of twins unless you are looking a nightmarish exploration of medical challenges, frightening statistics, and guilt-inducing diatribes that--even if true--is by no means helpful. This book is written for academics and professionals, not parents. It has only encouraged us to fear the remainder of our pregnancy, the well-being of our first child, and the pains we will suffer in the afterlife for having resorted to fertility drugs to have children.

Rating:
Summary: Congratulations!
Review: Elizabeth Noble and Leo Sorger have provided an excellent resource book for parents. It is heartening to see health-care professionals take a strong stand in defense of the baby when, in modern obstetrics, the baby is often overlooked as a sentient being who will be affected by everything that it experiences during the perinatal and postnatal periods. I especially appreciated the honest discussion about circumcision, which I know threatens many parents. Anyone who stands up for the genital integrity rights of the baby takes a risk of being ridiculed or dismissed because they have had the courage to challenge the dominant paradigm, the status quo, and the current medical model. Not one national or international medical association in the world recommends circumcision, yet the two-billion-dollar-a-year circumcision industry persists in the USA because people are afraid to discuss this crucial human rights issue. Noble and Sorger clearly understand the importance of the primal period and how to optimally care for the newborn. Their priorities are in exactly the right place on every issue -- and they have the courage to take a stand!

Rating:
Summary: Knows what she's writing about
Review: Elizabeth Noble has been pioneering better attention toward childbirth and pregnancy for over 30 years. Her contributions are vast and this is no exception.

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Summary: A Mother of Twins Knows
Review: Elizabeth Noble has inspired me for a quarter of a century. Her revision of the classic Having Twins informs us how thoroughly the "Birth Machine" has infiltrated childbirth. My twins were born almost 30 years ago. During active labor, I was measured, sonogramed, x-rayed, and told I would need a cesarean so I then checked myself out of the hospital, went home, and gave natural birth to my twin daughters. As a mother of six children including twins, I know that it is easier to birth two babies than one and the the higher risk involved depends on who attends the birth, if they know that twins will be born, and if they have been medically educated beyond our mammailian intelligence. (Read the MIDRS study verifying this, if you doubt.) Thank you Elizabeth for a wonderful contribution to the growing childbirth library. The hand that rocks the Birth Machine frees the world.

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Summary: Best book on multiples!
Review: Elizabeth Noble hasn't just "updated" her classic book but has completely revised it so it is up to date and an indispensible resource for families welcoming more than one baby. I applaud her perspective - that women experiencing multiple pregnancies may have healthy and positive experiences and that not all care need be fear-oriented. Kudos for you Elizabeth!
Susanrachel Condon, Childbirth Educator & Midwife