Healthy Baby Book: A Parent's Guide to Preventing Birth Defects and Other Long Term Medical Problems Before, During and After Pregnancy

Rating:
Summary: An Essential Resource For Prospective and Current Parents
Review: It is often believed that birth defects only affect other families -- those who are older, have a pre-existing genetic or medical condition and those who regulalry use alcohol, cigarettes or illegal drugs. The Healthy Baby Book dispels these myths. Birth defects can and do affect any family! Fortunately, with The Healthy Baby Book, you can reduce your family's risks.

Included in the Healthy Baby Book are those steps you can take before, during and after pregnancy to prevent birth defects. Before Pregnancy, author Carolyn Reuben focuses on the importance of preconception care, pre-existing medical conditions, occupational hazards and the father's role in creating a healthy baby. During Pregnancy discusses the importance of prenatal care, stress reduction, diet and nutrition, over-the-counter, prescription and recreational drugs, environmental toxicants, the importance of exercise, the role of infectious diseases and the effects of common procedures during labor and delivery. Finally, After Pregnancy discusses infant feeding, SIDS and your child's environment.

Perhaps what I like most about The Healthy Baby Book is that each section includes steps you can take to reduce your family's risk for birth defects. Moreover, Ms. Reuben often suggests other available resources from organizations you can contact to additional reading you can do.

Overall, The Healthy Baby Book is an excellent and essential resource for all prospective and current parents! I urge you to read and share the information with anyone of childbearing age. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!