February 2009 - Posts

• My Boys Can Swim!: The Official Guy’s Guide to Pregnancy

  “My Boys Can Swim!: The Official Guy’s Guide to Pregnancy” is great reading material for the dad-to-be who has neither the desire nor the patience to spend a quiet evening by the fire with a good book. What man does? In this brief yet entertaining book, father and author Ian Davis tells guys everything he thinks they need to know about pregnancy, from how much it is going to cost to what it is going to do to your sex life. Coined “laugh-out-loud worthy” by readers everywhere, “My Boy’s Can Swim” is perfect for expectant dads in search of bottom-line pregnancy information without being touchy-feely or overloaded with clinical jargon. The pages are filled with helpful and hilarious insights on topics such as baby names (“Don’t give your kids names like Thaddeus, which is Greek for 'I'm a dork and should be beaten up’”) and birth (“No one told me it’s normal that babies’ heads can be misshapen at birth. I was convinced that my wife gave birth to Veldar, the conehead”). While it should not replace “What to Expect When You Are Expecting” as a reference, “My Boys Can Swim” is a quick, humorous and relatively painless way for a guy to learn a little more about what he can expect during his wife’s pregnancy. Pick up a copy here. Posted Feb 23 2009, 09:47 AM by Satya with no comments Filed under: pregnancy, dads, fathers, My Boys Can Swim!, Ian Davis, The Official Guy's Guide to Pregnancy

• Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

  Sort of a pregnancy bible without calling itself one, the “Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy” is the only book you’ll need to answer the endless list of questions you’ll have during your most fabulous forty weeks. A plethora of accurate information from such a reputable source as the Mayo Clinic, moms and dads-to-be alike will appreciate the week-by-week accounts of the baby’s development, information on how dozens of previous health conditions (such as HIV and diabetes) can affect pregnancy, self-care tips for side effects like nausea and back pain, sidebars that explain the difference between identical and fraternal twins, and more. It may even provide you with more information than you need! One feature we love about this book is the series of "decision guides," which help parents make those hard choices about breastfeeding, circumcision and whether or not to go back to work. While some parents may be intimidated by the book’s cool, no-nonsense tone, most readers will find great reassurance in the straightforward manner in which the information is presented. After using the “Mayo Clinic Guide,” one mother said, “Instead of searching the index or having to take a wild guess at which chapter a subject might land in, I could find it easily in the reference guide. Blessed simplicity!” Once she started reading, she said, her other pregnancy books went back on the shelf and stayed there. Pick up a copy here. Posted Feb 17 2009, 09:56 AM by Satya with 1 comment(s) Filed under: pregnancy, healthy pregnancy, mayo clinic, mayo clinic guide to a healthy pregnancy

• The Single Woman's Guide to a Happy Pregnancy

  With a perfect five-star rating by readers on Amazon, Mari Gallion's The Single Woman's Guide to a Happy Pregnancy is a gift to women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant and going it alone. It is a positive, affirming, and often humorous how-to that covers all the bases: looking on the bright side, getting organized, preventing depression, and finding the resources that can help a woman do all three. Inspired by her own unexpected pregnancy and the obstacles she faced after making the decision to have the baby, Gallion set out to write a guide that offers non-judgmental and unconditional support to other women who have chosen to take the same unorthodox path of pregnancy without a partner. Perhaps the most refreshing thing about this book is that the author shares her own story about being a single mother right from the start. She writes of her experiences, the highs and lows, as well as what she did to get through the most trying times. Like a good friend, Gallion reassures single mothers by reminding them to feel confident in their decisions, do what they feel is right and not worry about what the rest of society may have to say about it. With information and advice about everything from breast-feeding to bassinets, Gallion provides pregnant women with the peace of mind you would think only a good friend could provide. Covering topics all women can relate to, such as dating, financial concerns and emotional well-being, The Single Woman's Guide provides a unique perspective on aspects that are often forgotten in books about pregnancy. One reader says she would not only recommend this book to single pregnant women, but also to their friends and family. "After reading this book," she says, "any woman, especially one that is nervous or frightened, will come away feeling stronger and more secure." Pick up a copy here. Posted Feb 09 2009, 09:57 AM by Satya with no comments

• Preemies: The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies

  Dana Linden, Emma Paroli & Mia Doron, M.D. One out of every eight babies in the U.S. is born prematurely – a 30 percent increase over rates in 1981 – but in the majority of these cases the mothers have no known risk of giving birth early, so it’s impossible for them to prepare for the challenges and emotions they will experience in the neonatal unit. “Preemies,” written by two mothers (with the help of a physician who specializes in neonatology) who met in the hospital when their babies were born just a bit too early, gives new parents a crash course in premature newborns in the form of a comprehensive guidebook. The authors fulfill the overwhelming need for information with remarkable clarity in this informative book, offering straightforward answers to a long list of questions any worried parent might have. “Preemies” covers a plethora of issues in four main sections (Before Birth, In the Hospital, A Life Together and Other Considerations) including risk factors, possible problems in the newborn’s first days, taking the baby home, possible long-term prognoses and more. While medical information is presented in detail, the authors maintain a personal, reassuring tone throughout the book, explaining that, although their organs and body functions are not fully developed, most premature babies are generally healthy. The information is presented in question-and-answer format, which makes it simple to navigate the book and find exactly what you’re looking for. It also serves as a useful tool for communicating with medical staff at the hospital, which can be a daunting task for new parents who have questions but aren’t sure how to ask them. In addition, the resource guide and glossary are especially helpful. So if you’re a parent of a premature baby and you’re looking for an authoritative, practical, and encouraging reference tool, “Preemies” is the book that will both meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Pick up a copy here. Posted Feb 02 2009, 09:52 AM by Satya with no comments Filed under: books, baby, babies, premature, premature babies, Dana Linden, The Essential Guide for Parents of Premature Babies, premature infant, preemies, premature birth, Emma Paroli, Mia Doron