April 2009 - Posts

• Babies and Other Hazards of Sex: How to Make a Tiny Person in Only 9 Months With Tools You Probably Have Around the Home

  Dave Barry has an impressive following. Not only is he the author of more than 20 books, but he is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist whose articles appear in hundreds of newspapers every week. What draws millions of readers to Barry’s work is his uncanny ability to see everyday things from a uniquely humorous perspective. In “Babies and Other Hazards of Sex,” Barry shares these perspectives on everything from sex to childbirth to parenting, referring to natural childbirth as “a pop phenomenon of the 1960s that, along with paisley bell-bottoms and creative sideburns, deserves a rest.” This book is a fun and entertaining read for everyone, whether you’re a parent, non-parent or parent-to-be. While its comical exaggerations will make you laugh until your sides hurt, as all of Barry’s books do, “Babies and Other Hazards of Sex” also provides an accurate description of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. One reader says “Dave Barry hits the nail right on the head” with his advice to adults about dirty diapers, burping bibs and other not-so-pleasant baby behaviors. We think you’ll find Barry’s candid and humorous approach refreshing, especially if you’ve read other baby books that may have led you to believe that a baby will bring you nothing but joy and wonder. Basically, as this book tells you, be prepared for the gross stuff, too! Pick up a copy here. Posted Apr 27 2009, 09:53 AM by Satya with 1 comment(s) Filed under: books, funny, pregnancy, parenting, babies, childbirth, Dave Barry, sex

• Twins! (2nd Edition): Pregnancy, Birth and the First Year of Life

  Since 1980, the increasing use of fertility treatments and the advancing age of many mothers in the United States has increased the birth rate of twins by nearly 45 percent. For mothers-to-be who are part of this rapidly growing group, it can still be difficult to find helpful, thorough information to guide them on their journey of carrying, delivering and raising twins. “Twins!” is a must-have pregnancy book made specifically for parents of – what else? – twins! Authors Connie Agnew, M.D., and Alan Klein, M.D., refer to the voyage from pregnancy through a lifetime of parenting twins as a “truly epic journey,” incorporating in their book a combination of helpful facts, educated opinion and candid discussions between the authors and a panel of twins' parents, which nicely outlines the journey’s first course for expectant parents of multiples. The format of “Twins!” is similar to the ever-popular “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” breaking information down into chapters of gestational weeks, outlining basic fetal development, mom’s changing body and other transitional issues. Chapters are further enhanced by illustrations of a mother’s pregnant body and her developing twins. One reader says, “The resource guide for parents [of twins] is excellent,” as, she says, is the information about immunizations and supplemental medicine. The other half of “Twins!” focuses on the first year of parenting twins, the challenges you might face in your relationships with you children and with each other. If you’re having twins, read this book! Pick up a copy here. Posted Apr 20 2009, 10:15 AM by Satya with 1 comment(s) Filed under: books, pregnancy, baby, babies, multiples, twins, expectant mothers, expecting multiples, Connie Agnew, Alan Klein

• Hello, My Name is Mommy: The Dysfunctional Girl's Guide to Having, Loving (and Hopefully Not Screwing Up) a Baby

  For every new mother and mommy-to-be who feels more helpless at times than she does confident, “Hello, My Name is Mommy” is a must-read. Funny, inspirational and honest, author Sheri Lynch writes from her own experiences as a child and her fears about becoming a mom. In a girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone, she speaks to readers about what many moms worry about, like whether her own dysfunctional past means she is doomed to repeat the cycle, or whether she can be a good mother even if her own mom didn’t exactly win the prize for “Mother of the Year.” In both a humorous and endearing way, “Hello, My Name is Mommy” reassures moms and moms-to-be that it’s normal to feel more out of control than aglow all the time, and just because you might think of kids as germy and somewhat gross, having these thoughts don’t make you a bad mom. For any mom or soon-to-be mom who’s ever felt alone in her thoughts, this insightful and laugh-out-loud guide will assure you that you’re not. One thankful mother who read this book in just a few days says she laughed, cried and gasped all the way through it. Full of useful advice and kind understanding, “Hello, My Name is Mommy” is a great read for any mother who isn't quite sure whether her maternal instincts can be trusted. Pick up a copy here. Posted Apr 13 2009, 09:58 AM by Satya with 1 comment(s) Filed under: books, funny, baby, Hello, My Name is Mommy, dysfunctional girl's guide

• Maternal Fitness: Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy, an Easier Labor, and a Quick Recovery

  If you’re pregnant, you’re probably watching your diet, getting plenty of rest and preparing for the arrival of your new baby. You’re probably also thinking about what labor will be like. Will it be a four-hour breeze or 72 hours of hell? A lot of it depends on your muscles. Even if you’re getting regular exercise, there are specific fitness programs that can help strengthen and prepare your body for labor. “Maternal Fitness” was written by a professional trainer who is also a registered nurse and childbirth educator, so you can trust that the exercises are safe for you and your baby. The book features clearly illustrated exercises that focus specifically on the muscle groups you’ll use during labor, especially the transverse abdominals – the stomach muscles that play a critical role during delivery. Strong transverse abdominal muscles can speed labor and delivery and make for a quick recovery. By learning how to strengthen and relax these muscles at the right time, you’ll be able to push more effectively come delivery time. Here is one reader’s reaction after reading “Maternal Fitness”: “I did these exercises throughout my second pregnancy and, after nine easy hours of labor, was able to push the baby out in minutes.” Her first child took 56 hours of labor and nearly three hours of pushing, so she credits the Maternal Fitness program for an easier second labor. “[After the epidural] I had total control of my abdominal muscles,” she says, “but no pain.” While the “Maternal Fitness” exercises are specifically designed to help you get through delivery, they also have other benefits, such as minimizing back pain and fatigue to help you get back into shape after childbirth. While the author suggests doing the exercises regularly and often, they are easy to do and can be incorporated into any workout. Pick up a copy here. Posted Apr 06 2009, 10:03 AM by Satya with 1 comment(s) Filed under: books, book review, healthy pregnancy, exercise, fatigue, quick recovery, preparing for labor, back pain, getting back in shape, pregnant, easier labor, pregnancy. fitness, maternal fitness