The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth » (Revised)

This new edition of The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth has been extensively revised to reflect scientific advances and cultural trends. Here, candidly and reasonably presented, is all the information expectant parents need to make their own decisions about everything—from which tests to allow to how to handle pain to where to give birth. 300 photos, drawings & diagrams.

Library Journal

One of the most celebrated British authors on the sociological and anthropological aspects of birth, breast feeding, and early parenthood, Kitzinger has completely revised her classic Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth (LJ 3/1/81) to guide readers seeking a woman-centered birth experience through the newly researched alternatives now available. Organizing her book into five major sections (Early Weeks, Physical and Emotional Changes, Anticipating the Birth, the Experience of Birth, and You and Your Newborn), Kitzinger provides candid information about what mothers need to know, ranging from ways to navigate the technical landscape of hospital births to making the personal choices of a water home birth. Her "empowerment language" no longer assumes there is a marriage, replacing references to "a man" with "birthing partner." Discussing "birth rooms" rather than delivery rooms, she encourages readers to construct a birth plan, make their own space, and choose an effective birth companion. Other changes make the text more logical and accessible. The "Pregnancy Week by Week" section has been moved from the appendix to the introduction, and section dividers include tables of contents with page numbers. With revised appendixes and 300 updated photographs, drawings, and diagrams, this guide is a valuable resource for all health collections.-Rebecca Cress-Ingebo, Wright State Univ. Libs., Dayton, Ohio