The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth (Revised) by Sheila Kitzinger Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth (Revised)
Book Review: the unrevised version is better
Summary: 3 Stars
I agree with Aimee book lover, AP parent. I too did not like the updates. They are so concerned with being pc that they took away from the good feeling you got from reading the older version. I had borrowed the old version for my previous pregnancies and I loved it. It was about natural birth and home births and water births and left the reader feeling uplifted. I bought the new one for my last pregnancy and was really disappointed. It is so pc that that is all you think about as you are reading it. Save yourself some money and buy the older version from the used books on Amazon. Book Review: Mostly, these are issues with reviews...
Summary: 4 Stars
I have found this book helpful, though somewhat biased towards a natural birth. However, for anyone who read anything about this book prior to purchasing it, that should come as no real surprise. What I was surprised by was women's reactions to it:
First, I see no reason to argue that those who want a natural birth are not living in reality. I have not chosen to go that route, but I don't feel the need to belittle those who have.
Second, the fact that someone is up in arms because a book used the inclusive language "partner" is ludicrous. In case you did not realize it, this does not leave your husband out, nor does it demean his position. Your husband IS your partner (at least my husband is my partner, perhaps I don't understand the mechanics of your relationship) and for anyone who has felt belittled by the repeated use of the word "husband" in other books, this is a refreshing change.
Book Review: Offensive
Summary: 1 Stars
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 For the rest of the world that lives in reality, you might find her narrow-minded approach offensive.Book Review: Outdated disease info!!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
Although I have only read a few specific subjects in this book, I am only giving it 1 start because the information in the section on hyperemesis is extremely inaccurate and perpetuates outdated myths about this very serious and life-threatening disease. For anyone who has had hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), reading that a spa day would be beneficial, is not only absurd, but also insulting. Many women with HG cannot get to another room of the house without help, much less drive a car to a spa! HG is a disease and not a psychological condition. Women cannot stop the disease at will. This myth has resulted in a century of poor and sometimes abusive treatment of these afflicted women, causing excessive and unnecessary stress and misery, not to mention preventable complications during pregnancy and in their resulting children. Some women have life-long effects. (...)Book Review: Only one issue
Summary: 4 Stars
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.