The Anxious Parent's Guide to Pregnancy

By Gerard M. DiLeo

Pregnancy walks hand-in-hand with anxiety, from the famous disturbing dreams many women have to the questioning of every medication a doctor prescribes. In this manual, an obstetrician-gynaecologist... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071383077
• ISBN13: 9780071383073
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill
• Length: 398 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.2" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Great Resource - Fun and Smart

This is by far one of the best, most-entertaining books I've read on pregnancy and childbirth. Dr. DiLeo offers an abundance of helpful information, yet does it with great style. I laughed at many points throughout this book, and really felt I was getting my information from a friend -- someone who is very knowledgable about the field of obstetrics yet sensitive to a woman's needs. To those saying he is all about episiotomies and the like, I disagree. He is very clear about saying he does not do automatic episiotomies, his patients have a right to refuse them if they wish, and that he certainly wouldn't do one if a patient didn't seem like she was going to tear. Additionally, I saw NOTHING in the book discussing the low-cost of home birth versus caring for a vegetable (as mentioned in another review). DiLeo is honest in saying that when life threatening complications occur, the best situation for mother and child is to be in a hospital. I have a friend who had extremely little to no intervention during birth yet ran into complications so dire she and her daughter would have died without the care of the hospital staff. Maybe this is a rare situation, but I think this is what DiLeo is addressing -- that IF there is a problem, the hospital is the place to be. Hard to argue with that. I'd hate to see somebody not read this wonderful book simply because they disagree on this one point. There is much more to pregnancy than where a woman gives birth.

great book for old (and new) anxious moms

I already have two children and have read about every pregnancy book out there. I was looking for something new to talk me through number 3 and make the information fresh again, and was thrilled to find Dr. DiLeo's book. The information is complete, understandable, and up to date, and the style is light-hearted and soothing. I appreciate that in addition to giving information on options and variations, he shares his personal opinion, based on years of experience in the delivery room, on what he would want for someone in his family. He also shares his frustration with the interference of insurance companies into medical decisions. Dr. DiLeo is only dogmatic about one thing: he wants you to pick your provider carefully, and then TRUST them. If you don't trust your doctor, get a new one. I've read several books that encourage women to question and doubt their careprovider every step of the way, which seems to me to increase women's anxiety. Both you and your doctor want the same result--a healthy baby and mother. This book will give you the information you need to work with your care provider toward that goal.

I had no idea!

I had no idea of the silent controversies going on in the field of obstetrics. Besides this book being an excellent pregnancy book--and so much more fun than those dreary others--Dr. DiLeo's information on the controversies being waged in the background while women go on their way having babies was very enlightening. Because of Dr. DiLeo's privileged position of actually being in the profession, he provides insights into subjects that ended up being very important to me. I haven't seen any other book talk about the great herpes hypocrisy in pregnancy, pregnancy after having been sexually abused, or what should be the women's rights position on maternal choice C-section. His section on miscarriage and threatened miscarriage, besides finally putting a perspective on ALL of the causes of first trimester bleeding, is the most compassionate treatment on the tragedy of miscarriage I've ever seen. Obviously this guy cares about ALL babies, large and very small. His "Pregnancy Rules for Husbands" are hysterical. This book sets a new standard for pregnancy books for intelligent women.

Finally, the perfect pregnancy book.

It seems like 5 stars are not nearly enough for this! I have looked for many sources on pregnancy and this one sums it into one fun to read, informative, reasurring, and honest book. Who would have thought a book about pregnancy would be such a page-turner? The author captures your heart as well as your mind making it difficult to close the book and put it down. In fact, I'm buying it for all of my pregnant friends (and my "trying to get pregnant" friends). It is such a pleasure to read. My husband has even read a few of the chapters. The format is very convenient and the "frequently asked question" section is a great quick reference. This is the one and only book you will need. I highly recommend this book to any pregnant woman or anyone currently trying to get pregnant. A great buy.

At last! The book I've been waiting for.

Where has this author been? I've been looking for someone to explain pregnancy like this for 2 babies now. It's like you're all alone in a consultation room--just you and your doctor. The conversational tone is so warm and reassuring, even my biggest worries were put into a worry-free perspective. And funny! Every page has a smile and a laugh, like little time-bombs throughout the book. Dr. DiLeo's not afraid to tell it like it is about insurance companies, doctors, nurses, and alternate birthing "experiences."His chapter on controversies in obstetrics has material I've never seen in any other pregnancy book. It's like they don't have a clue about some of these things. I highly recommend this book. Incredible information and great fun by someone who takes care of you like a friend.