This book is one of the most read by expectant parents, especially in the UK. Dr Stoppard is considered the authority on the subject here. Unfortunately, that is also the style she adopts in this tome…authoritative.
Although it covered just about every topic of pregnancy and birth, its coverage was not always very in-depth. She makes broad statements that due to my training I realize are evidence-based, but the way that she says them does not refer to the studies or allow the reader to research further for their own information. For instance, when discussing mobility in labor she says that…is now recognized as being positively helpful during labor. But she does not say who recognized that, how many studies, how the studies were done. So that while the book may have positive information it relies on the author’s reputation rather than being evidence-based in a strict sense. It would have been useful if she had done as the authors do and include references for the parents to explore for themselves.
The graphics, pictures and text boxes in this book were utilized well to allow the reader to digest such a large quantity of information in an easy manner. I actually have two different editions of this book in my library and found it useful to compare how they had changed between editions. The information was fairly consistent but the images and graphics had changed quite a bit, I suppose in relation to changing needs of readers. I found the color illustrations of exercises to be the most significant thing about this book. Since as I mentioned earlier this book attempts to cover everything about pregnancy and birth, but not in great detail, there was no really new information in it. But those pictures were very useful for demonstrating possible exercises for pregnant mothers.
Although this book was good and I do have two copies in my library, it is not one that I recommend to my clients. The simple reason is that I prefer William Sears, who is also a doctor. His books use a more evidence-based approach to the material; referring to studies and including reference for them in the appendices. I do find the authoritative style and Dr Stoppard’s reputation useful with a highly A-type personality mum that might prefer the broad coverage of this book including things like organizing your home, what to wear and what to buy.
Terri is the mother of six; 3 caesareans, 2 VBACs and an adoption. She has over fifteen years breastfeeding experience as well as peer supporter training with two organisations. Terri has completed the Childbirth Educator, Birth & Post-partum Doula certificates with Childbirth International. In addition, she also holds a BS in health education from Texas A&M University.
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