Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful book -- very informative and sane
Review: Finally, a detailed and informative pregnancy book written for the rest of us. Avoids the total guilt trip of the "What to Expect" books with sane and moderate advice. I would still recommend buying "What to expect" for its detail, but read this one first.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a good book for the purpose it is intended
Review: First off, I read some of the reviews below. Anyone who has read this book, should realize that this is not 1.)a comprehensive pregnancy/birth guide that goes into each month or week like; What to Expect, Your Pregnancy Week by Week (Glade) or The Pregnancy Book (Sears). 2.)It is not a guide on all your laboring options. What this is, is a book written by an obstetrician for women who are seeing traditional obstetricians and are planning on delivering in the hospital. So right off the bat you know she is not going to give information on homebirthing or off hospital site birth centers- those are not her areas of practice. She does not give the usual generic run down on all your laboring options- you can get that in practically any book out there- including the book Pregnancies for Dummies. What her book is intended to do is to give you her advice based on what she has seen over the years of practicing in the field of obstetrics and her personal recommendations in the areas of childbirth and pregnancy. What she does do is give a you a reassuring discussion on what you can expect if you choose an obstetrician and hospital birth. I especially found her discussions on prenatal testing to be helpful and her discussions on induction, c-section and labor pain meds are biased, she lets you know that, but reassuring. Yes, anyone who has read up on the epidural has probably been scared out of their wits by the "natural birthing" community- yet nationally, 70% of women delivering vaginally in the US will have an epidural in labor. And nearly all having a c-section will have an epidural or spinal. So perhaps she decided to give her own slant. For all her liberal use of induction and epidural, she has a lower than national average c-section rate- about 10% lower. What I don't understand are the women who are all riled up over this book. I personally, was glad to see a pregnancy book that was not just another generic month to month type book- but gave a real opinion. I am glad to see that someone is not afraid to give their opinion on the epidural in the face of all the anti-epidural, go all-natural birthing climate that is out there. If I had read a book written by a midwife who does homebirths, I would not be shocked and horrified because her bias leans toward homebirth and few interventions. I think it is good to get all the views and sides of the discussion, espeically in a first pregnancy when the bias of those you know can frighten you and knowing all sides can help you firm up your options on your own. So yes, I recommend this book as one that should be in your pregnancy/birth library- but not the only one.
Rating: 
Summary: Full of False Information!
Review: I am a childbirth educator and doula. I could not believe the things I read in this book! It just goes to show that most OBs truly believe what they tell you. She states many lies in this book which have been disproven by numerous studies. For example- no drugs reach the baby. This is false and if you don't believe it, just ask to see the package inserts that come with the drugs used in epidurals (Bupivicaine and Lidocaine). It comes right out and tell you that ALL drugs cross the placenta. She also recommends continuous electronic fetal monitoring even though EVERY study EVER conducted on it's use has shown no better outomes for mom or baby and it has been proven to dramatically increase the chance for a c-section. Even the 2 inventors of the EFM say that it is over used and that moms would do much better just having someone litsen with a Doppler or Fetascope. I am just in disbeleife that this OB was able to print such lies and it saddens me that so many women may be influenced by her! If you really want the facts, PLEASE read "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer. Her entire book is supported by ALL studies done on these interventions and she gives the CONS as well as the pros for things like epidurals, episiotomies, pitocin, stadol... Please at least do this for your baby if nothing else. Then you can say that you made informed decisions! Nicole
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommend
Review: It's been three years since my labor, and I still recommend this book as my favorite to pregnant friends. I was just about to buy it for someone and was interested in reading the reviews. Now I feel the need to comment on the couple of negative ones. It's self righteous comments like that, that made this book all the more comforting to me. I had an absolutely beautiful amazing childbirth. I had and epidural that my doctor made sure had worn off 2 hours before the birth so that I was prepared to push. I respect every woman's choice to try to have the kind of child birth that they envision. What I don't respect is women that spout their own opinions as if we should all do it their way.
Rating:
Summary: Why are women "all riled up" about this book?
Review: The advice about labor basically is that she doesn't understand why anyone would "give birth" without an epidural. The whole view point obviously is from an ob who is not into any natural ways at all. I wasn't looking for a naturalistic approach only, but this book was a bit over the top on how labor is going to hurt like crazy! Not very inspiring!
Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommend
Review: The book is excellent: Very informative, practical and realistic. Dr. Brasner is an excellent physician and a true leader.
Rating:
Summary: Informative, Practical and Realistic
Review: The book is excellent: Very informative, practical and realistic. Dr. Brasner is an excellent physician and a true leader.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Helpful! I wish I had it weeks ago!!
Review: This book has been tremendously helpful and informative. I wished that I had it weeks ago, before I started going to the obstetrician! This is a must read! It is easy to follow and flows rather well. Dr. Brasner's approach is open and honest, afterall, she is writing as a Pregnant Obstetrician! If this book isn't a part of your pregnancy library- it should be!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, But Not For Everyone
Review: This book has many fine qualities. The author's tone is friendly and laid back; she offers a lot of encouraging words while also remaining consummately professional. Most of the important topics are covered, and in good detail--it's almost like having a conversation with her at your side. Obviously, Dr. Brasner is a skilled and compassionate physician, and it was really interesting to hear her describe her own care (as she had twins with a c-section). However, if you want 1) complete details on all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth (both pleasant and unpleasant), 2) solid information on a more natural, family-centered childbirth or a birth with minimal intervention, 3) complete information on epidurals, induction, continous monitoring, and other interventions, you will not want to rely solely on this text. Granted, Dr. Brasner is very honest and upfront about her opinion on the topic of medical intervention; there is nothing hidden. For example, she clearly feels that epidurals are a great thing, spending minimal time addressing any possible negatives of an epidural (and they do exist). I am very glad I read this book, for it offered me a new perspective. However, for the more "complete" picture, I feel there are better choices (i.e. The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby, or A Good Birth, A Safe Birth, or one of Henci Goer's works). This is a decent "supplemental" reading to add to your shelf, but I urge all moms-to-be, even those who don't aim for unmedicated childbirth, to not let this be the only book and perspective they use.
Rating:
Summary: Let's get real about this book
Review: This book is just not the wonderful book the previous reviewers are making it out to be. If you want to avoid being "scared" to the point of not getting all the facts and making informed choices then this is probably the book for you. The best example of the lack of balance in the book is her advice to ask for continuous fetal monitoring. Nine large-scale, well done scientific trials all found the same result. No better outcomes(meaning no healthier babies) with continuous monitoring than for regular heart rate checks by a trained person and three times the risk of cesarean section and its risks for mothers. Additionally, any women who has been "chained" to the monitor and unable to move can tell you that the discomfort of being unable to listen to your body and find comfortable positions for labor should be a major concern. Even in my twin pregnancy (which would be considered high risk, although my OB called it "special needs", did not require any more than intermittent monitoring.) It is important to know that epidurals do have risks as do other standard hospital routines. You may feel the benefit outweighs the risk, but this book doesn't give you all the facts to make an educated choice. If you want a really good first pregnancy book try A GOOD BIRTH, A SAFE BIRTH by Korte and Scaer. For the scientific evidence about the pros and cons of procedures read THE THINKING WOMAN'S GUIDE TO A BETTER BIRTH by Goer. Also, it is unthinkable that no information about the benefits of doulas, midwifery attended births, birth center and home birth options are provided(there are some OBs who do birth center and home births). I would hope no mother to be would go into her birth without exploring all the options.
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