I received a copy of The Joy of Pregnancy by Tori Kropp (a labour nurse and childbirth educator as well as owner of www.storksite.net) and this is a book that is one is definitely getting a thumbs up from me.
What I like about The Joy of Pregnancy:
-It is easy to sit down and read from cover to cover. Not only do things fall in logical order but the way the book is laid out makes it an easy read. The book almost anticipates the next question the reader will have with helpful information.
-There's a great pregnancy calculator in the book to help you find out how to calculate your due date based on your last period.
There are chapters broken down by gestation weeks including a chapter for pre-conception as well as a chapter for the first month with a newborn and the chapters cover a myriad of questions and give information about various things a pregnant woman may want and need to know at that particular phase of her pregnancy. The "Tori's Tips" are also especially helpful.
Other Pluses:
I also quite like the fact that each chapter has a 'Dad's Corner' feature so that Dads can read along and get pertinent information addressed specifically to them.
Another aspect about this book that I enjoyed was the number of letters to Tori and her answers. These are sprinkled throughout the book giving people questions and answers based upon scenarios they could be facing at their particular stage of pregnancy. This aspect, in my opinion, gives the book an interactive feel which many pregnancy books lack.
Other great aspect of this book is include an extensive glossary and a selection of loads of lists. A lot of expectant mothers who feel like they're unprepared or who simply love making lists will find this section really helpful. It includes including questions you might ask yourself when preparing for the birth as well as questions to ask medical professionals during particular tests along with other helpful information such as:
- How to survive bedrest
- Choosing a childbirth class
- Twelve ways to survive morning sickness
- The 5-1-1 recipe for knowing when to go to the hospital
- Baby shopping lists
- Medical supplies for baby
- Help with baby shower planning
- Hospital bag lists
- Month by month checklists
- and more...
I highly recommend The Joy Of Pregnancy by Tori Kropp for a mother to be to buy for herself or as a gift to buy someone you know who's expecting or planning a baby.
