[.ca] Pregnancy and Birth: The Best Evidence (ISBN 1552630269)

Indepth look at all pregnancy and birth options:
I have looked for this book as a pregnant mother and now a birth professional for years. Thank you Joyce Barrett and Teresa Pitman for your contribution to pregnant women! This is now my first choice when I recommend a book to my clients, especially since it is the Canadian equivalent to The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer - another phenomenal book. All aspects of pregnancy and birth options are covered. Most importantly however, the risks of each option are well documented which is rare in today's current books or childbirth classes. How many women are told of the fallicies surrounding current gestational diabetes testing or the 50% false positive rates of AFP testing? None of my clients are ever told by their caregivers so I doubt many others are either. All pregnant mothers - if you are seeking true and accurate information about your pregnancy, please start with this book.

WONDERFUL!:
I've had two babies, and boy do I wish that this book had been available for the first one! It plainly tells you your options, and backs up the authors recommendations with simple facts - of course those facts that aren't always easily obtained depending on who you're asking! Thanks Joyce Barrett!

An excellent book, and easy to understand:
I was loaned this book from a friend and I couldn't put it down. This book plainly lays out the evidence for you, the reader to make a decision. I didn't find this book swayed in any way but told the truth. I disagree with the previous review that it makes you feel guilty for making a lesser choice. I think it lays out the facts so that you can make an informed decision. Too many women take the doctors word for what is best instead of finding out for themselves. This book empowers a woman to be educated and informed when faced with what to do. I think choosing NOT to read this book or look at the research is giving your rights away to a stranger who will make decisions according to what works for them, or what they've always done which in my opinion is very sad and antiquated.

one of the best:
This book gives a very fair assessment of all interventions and tests. There are reasons why and why not for everything. It does give recommendations at the end of each chapter but I didn't pushed into anything. I had never heard about letting a baby lay on the mom's tummy until s/he is ready to find a breast. It makes sense. Growing up on the farm, I witnessed many new babies do exactly this. I plan on buying this book for baby shower gifts.