Recommended Readings

Prenatal guide

• A Child is Born by L. Nilsson

Photographs of fetal development from conception to birth with expert advice and information for parents.

• Better Homes and Gardens New Baby Book

The complete illustrated guide to child care from birth to six years.  This book is aimed at both parents.  Suggestions are given to guide parents in the physical care and offer suggestions for child-raising concerns is given for common complaints and childhood diseases and first aid for children.

• What to Expect When Your Expecting by A. Eisenberg, H. Murkoff, & S. Hathaway

Complete information on choosing a caregiver, prenatal diagnosis, exercises, childbirth positions, second pregnancies, twins, making love during pregnancy, and having a Cesarean birth.  Include practical tips on coping with common and not so common pregnancy symptoms.  Include a step by step guide through labor, delivery, postpartum care, and breast-feeding.  A section is also included for the father-to-be.

• Pregnancy, Birth, and the Newborn: A Complete Guide by P. Simkin

Thorough information on all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care is provided in a supportive, thoughtful manner and easy to read format.  Chapters on drugs, medications, environmental hazards, Cesarean birth and vaginal birth after Cesarean are included.

• Mothering Multiples by K. Gromeda

A complete guide to multiple pregnancy that focuses on physiological and psychological dimensions.  Includes prevention of complications and possible medical interventions that may be needed.

• When Pregnancy Isn’t Perfect by L. Rich

Comprehensive source of information on reassurance for the many women whose pregnancies are not perfect.  Includes such problems as hypertension, preeclampsia syndrome, placenta previa, placental abruption, including other causes of bleeding during pregnancy, threatened miscarriage and incompetent cervix, preterm labor, and delivery.

• Pregnancy Bedrest by S. Johnston & D. Kraut

Explains the “active” process of protecting an at-risk pregnancy through bedrest.  Bedrest plans, financial considerations, career, marital, and parenting consequences are addressed.

• Birth After Cesarean: The Medial Facts by B. L. Flamm, MD

Thoroughly documented summary of the facts about vaginal birth after Cesarean, its safety and success rates. Addresses many questions that must be answered when a woman faces the realities of a repeat Cesarean birth or a possible vaginal birth after a Cesarean.

• The Pregnancy Bedrest Book by Amy E. Tracy, & Richard H. Schwarz, MD

• The VBAC Companion:  The Expectant Mother’s Guide to Vaginal Birth After Cesarean by Diana Kate
  

Exercise

• Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Years by E. Noble

Exercise guide that simply and clearly explains how muscles of body function through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.  Explains reasons to perform and avoid certain movements and positions during pregnancy through postpartum.

Parenting

• The First Twelve Months of Life by F. Caplan

A month by month account of the average baby’s routines, development, changes, and common problems.  Includes a monthly grow chart for development.

• The Second Twelve Months of Life by F. Caplan

A month by month account of the baby’s second year of life that includes development, routines, and common problems.  Includes a monthly chart for development.

• What to Expect the First Year by A. Eisenberg, H. Murkoff, & S. Hathaway

A month by month guide that includes growth, development, feeding, sleeping habits, illnesses, safety, physical, and emotional needs of a family.

• Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care by B. Spock MD

From infancy through adolescents, covers every aspect of childcare from sleep, to discipline, to sex and drugs.  Includes the social needs of divorce, blended family, daycare, AIDS, and parenting anxieties.

• Caring For Your Baby and Young Child:  Birth to Age 5 by Steven Shelov, MD, editor

Up-to-date information to guide parents in caring for their newborn to 5 year old.  Published and recommend by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Your Baby’s First Year by Steven Shelov, MD, editor

State-of-the-art advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics for new or prospective parents.

• The No Cry Sleep Solution:  Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night

by Elizabeth Pantley, & William Sears

• The Baby Book:  Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby From Birth to Age Two

by William Sears, Martha Sears, Robert Sears, MD, & James Sears

Breastfeeding

• Nursing Your Baby by K. Pryor & G. Pryor

This book has two sections, the first section addresses knowledge and opinions about lactation and breast-feeding.  The second section is a day by day, month by month account of nursing from first feeding to weaning.

• The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by the LaLeche League

Covers decision making, addresses concerns, helpful hints, special concerns of premies, common problems, how to involve fathers, returning to work, and introduction of solids.  Includes how to contact the LaLeche League support network.

• Breastfeeding Your Baby by S. Kitzinger

Authoritative and reassuring approach to breastfeeding.  Addresses worries and fears of new mothers.  Fully illustrated with practical and sound advice.  Filled with expertise, common sense, and insight into the needs of the new breastfeeding mother.

• The Complete Book of Breastfeeding by S. Olds & M. S. Eiger MD

Information based on current scientific research as well as advice from mothers themselves.  Address life style issues, diet, fitness, breastfeeding for working mothers, nursing in public, and in a variety of situations.  Attempts to give tools for success, knowledge of what to do, confidence that you are doing the right thing for you and your baby, and the determination to persist in the face of minor setbacks.

• Dr. Mom’s Guide to Breastfeeding by Marianne Neifert, MD

Written by a Pediatrician and mother of five, this book covers everything you need to know about breastfeeding.  Topics include prenatal preparation, breastfeeding techniques and expected routines, how to tell if your baby is getting enough, getting fathers involved, breastfeeding a baby with special needs, and more.  The illustrations and practical advice make this a wonderful breastfeeding resource for families.

• So That’s What They’re For!  Breastfeeding Basics by Janet Tamaro

This book is written by a certified Lactation Educator.  If you want to get all the breastfeeding basics and laugh at the same time, then this book is for you.  This book offers a variety of breastfeeding information and facts with a sense of humor.

• The Nursing Mother’s Companion by Kathleen Huggins

This author has written several books on breastfeeding.  All basic information is covered from prenatal preparations to weaning.  Information presented is practical and presented in a warm style.

• Mothering Multiples:  Breastfeeding and Caring for Twins or More by Karen Kerkhoff Gromada

This mother of twin sons is a lactation consultant and has spent 20 years as a LaLeche League leader and is the founder of a LaLeche League support group for families with multiples.  This book is a must for anyone expecting multiples.  Discussed is prenatal preparation, pumping, feeding options, positioning, feeding routine, how to tell if babies are getting enough, record keeping, taking care of yourself, or more.

Siblings

• Where Did I Come From? by P. Mayle

The facts of life without nonsense and with illustrations for a child’s level of education.

• How I Was Born by M. Wabbes & Sharon Worbt

Accurate and easily understood book parents can use to answer the question “How was I born?”.  Photos of the growth of the unborn baby, month by month.  Includes a tender story that may be read aloud to the young child and well as clear explanations for the older children.

Many of these books are available for check out from the UIHC Patient Library on the 8th floor of the Roy Carver Pavilion (Elevator D) or at your local library.  Check for the most current edition.

Web Sites

It is recommended that you consult your physician or nurse midwife regarding any medical information obtained from Web sites.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
www.acog.com

American College of Pediatricians
www.aap.org

Baby Center, Inc.
www.babycenter.com
A comprehensive Web site on preconception and pregnancy; has been chosen as one of four best consumer health sites by Newsweek International.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov

Lamaze International
www.lalecheleague.org

March of Dimes
www.modimes.org

National Center for Fathering
www.fathers.com

University of Iowa Health Care Virtual Hospital
www.vh.org

www.americanbaby.com

www.babyzone.com

"This list is provided for your information and educational purposes only.  Inclusion in this list is not an endorsement of any site or its content by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics/University of Iowa Children's Hospital.  However, content is subject to change, and we may not be aware of those changes.  There is currently no regulation of the internet, and the information provided on these sites may not be consistent with our practice."

Peer Review Status: Internally
Peer Review Date: 2004