Product Description
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.
The Complete Book of pregnancy and Childbirth
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I found this book to be very biased and offensive. I agree with one of the other reviewers, her section on hyperemesis is downright wrong and condescending. As long as you have a healthy pregnancy and want a natural childbirth, you might like this book. For the rest of the world that lives in reality, you might find her narrow-minded approach offensive.
Rating: 1 / 5
If you’re a shouting feminist and single mother-to-be, you’ll probably enjoy this book. If, however, you aren’t, then read “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” instead of this screed. Kitzinger can’t seem to help editorializing about the supposed past degradation of women in childbirth, all at the hands of men. The commentary was both insulting and irrelevant. Beyond that, the book is nothing more–or less–than your run-of-the-mill informative book on childbrith.
Rating: 2 / 5
A reread of Kitzinger’s book has forcefully reminded me of her hostility to both men and medicine, and her concomitant dedication to Age of Aquarius birthing techniques. In the world according to Kitzinger, everyone is against the pregnant woman, the hitherto victim of society who, up until the groovy New Age of childbirth, was the cowering captive of males and the Medical Establishment. Listed below are just a few examples of Kitzinger’s distortions and New Age baloney:
* Before the New Age birthing techniques came along, women’s childbirth fears were due to the “socially inculcated lack of confidence we felt in our bodies and in ourselves…” (p 7)
* Women are likely to argue, and are encouraged to argue, with their doctors, who are too stupid, backwards, and generally not with it to be able to understand a pregnant woman’s needs. (pp 48-9)
* Women may dread going to prenatal appointments because of the “cool indifference, rigid authoritarianism, or patronizing behavior” of their caregivers. (p 153)
* “Some men see their partners as their mothers” (p 160) NOTE: the word “husband” has been banished fom Kitzinger’s book; all that’s left is “partner.” What a wonderfully sloppy word. What are they going to do after the child is born–form a joint corporation?
* “In the atmosphere of a busy doctor’s office women often feel they have become part of the factory process.” (p 163)
* “The language used by men about women’s bodies–especially their genitals–is often degrading…” (p 240)
* More pages are devoted to water birth (pp 284-91) an extremely uncommon birth technique that seems to be mainly employed by Russians and ex-hippies, then pages devoted to C-sections (pp 336-41).
One more point. Someone reading Ms. Kitzinger’s book may think it’s the gospel truth because Ms. Kitzinger is a medical doctor. Um, well, you see, Ms. Kitzinger–Sheila–is NOT a medical doctor. But she’s at least a licensed midwife, right? Actually, no. A nurse at least? Nope. A “doula”? Uh-uh. Sheila is an ANTHROPOLOGIST. Think about it.
Rating: 1 / 5
I have only ONE issue with this book — and it is in fact something Amzon.com’s review BRAGS about.
I am very saddened to see the language made PC — and thus weak. I do not want references to my birth partner — I want clear references to my husband!! It took both of us to creat this life, it will take both of us to birth it, and both of us to rasie it. A baby, a child, NEEDS a mom and a dad; I waited 33 years till I had a husband to have a baby.
This constant PC — weak — let’s not insult anyone phrasing — is giving people the wrong impression. If we write fathers out of our information, that it is too easy for a young woman to think she doesn’t need one. Yes unwed pregnancy happen — but they should NOT be encouraged as “normal” or as “a choice” — they should be addressed, but the entire tone of expectations should not be changed on their account.
Rating: 4 / 5
I read this book when I was pregnant with my son, who is now almost 10 months old. It was very interesting reading, no doubt about it. However, Ms. Kitzinger is very anti-doctor. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good thing that she encourages women to ask questions, but obstetricians do know what they’re doing. She is anti-pain medication, and anti-episiotomy, both of which helped me out a great deal. I spent 15 hours in labor, and my contractions were 3 to 5 minutes apart the whole time, and I wouldn’t have had the strength to push without the pain medication. As for the episiotomy, it truly puzzles me why she’d be against that. I mean, there’s a 10 cm. opening, and a baby with a 15 inch head. You do the math! I’m sure mine saved me at least half an hour of pushing time, and that’s a big deal after 14 1/2 hours of labor.
I believe that Ms. Kitzinger is British, if I remember right. I think that childbirth is less intrusive, less medical in Great Britain. I know that women all over the world have their babies at home, and even did in the U.S. for many years, but I think a hospital is the way to go, even for young, healthy women with normal pregnancies.
I have to comment on one previous review. NOWHERE in this book do I remember reading that the author said it was OK to drink any alcohol or a lot of coffee. I think the person who wrote that review meant well, but is totally mixed up. I don’t believe there’s any pregnancy book out there that condones drinking alcohol.
Rating: 2 / 5
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