Review of Your Non-Toxic Pregnancy (Paperback)

I bought this book while traveling in the North of Ireland, so I expected it to be a European based book.Indeed it is, however, the author was kind enough to do some American research, as well, so it is definitely usable (and recommended) for Americans.

My first "chemical-free" pregnancy book was The Complete Organic Pregnancy by Deidre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu, and while I did enjoy it, I found it lacking in many areas (such as recommendations and resources for finding less toxic products).Because of this, I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up a copy of Your Non-Toxic Pregnancy.Not only does it back up its claims with sound research (from many different worldwide-respected organizations), but it gives many different suggestions for how to live more organically.

The book is organized well and filled with attractive photos of glowing pregnant mamas-to-be.The information is consise.The suggestions are do-able.

The author devotes a whole section to toxins in beauty products, and includes recipes for homemade alternatives that I found especially interesting and helpful.Another section describes the dangers in modern household cleaning products, and gives a list of eco-friendly options.And these subjects are just the beginning.

I really cannot give enough praise to how well this book is put together.There are many books out there screaming the dangers of many of our modern-day luxuries, but do absolutely nothing to help us find better, safer, and more eco-friendly ways of living.This book has an alternative for every not-so-safe product out there.Many of the alternatives are UK products, but almost all can be ordered online.

As a quick side note, I've noticed many reviews for this book (on other sites) and reviews for The Complete Organic Pregnancy state that the authors are trying to scare you into doing impossible things.I say for a fact that none of these changes are impossible to make.Yes, the information is scary, but this does not mean it is fear culture-based.Someone needs to put this information out there, and I find it unwise and even immature to criticize those few who are brave enough to do it. /rant

Product Description
Every expectant mother wants to provide a safe and protective environment for her unborn baby, but there are hidden hazards in almost everything we use or ingest, such as arsenic in eyeshadow and hormones in chicken. Women aged 20-45 are especially vulnerable to toxic substances and their effects, and even more so when they are pregnant. Yet it is often hard to choose the right products given manufacturers' often misleading claims and the amount of technical knowledge required to "translate" the components of many items. This guidemakes clear the substances found in common household, food, and office items and reveals the practices that can be damaging to both baby and mother. It provides a guide to safe commercial alternatives as well as quick-and-easy recipes to create natural preparations. It is the ultimate guide to ensuring that home, workspace, leisure-time activities, food, skin care, and cosmetics remain hazard- and stress-free.

About the Author
Susannah Marriott is the author of The Art of Motherhood, Natural Pregnancy, and Spice Spa.

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Review of Better Birth: The Ultimate Guide to Childbirth from Home Births to Hospitals (Paperback)

I read this book after I had already given birth three times and I wish that I had had this book to refer to.Denise Spatafora really provides a tremendous amount of information about all the decisions around conceiving and giving birth.Each of my births was so different from the one before and I had little idea of what I could do to understand the process.Now I know.After reading Better Birth, you will feel empowered and prepared for the birth of your child.The book addresses women as intelligent, intuitive, and emotional people capable of making the best decision for themselves.I really appreciated the birth stories that pepper throughout the book. It provides the reader a way to personalize the information that a woman and her partner need about everything from conceiving, connecting with their unborn child, preparing for birth, giving birth the way that feels "right" for you ,to postpartum. I think this book has some definite advantages over the other birthing books. It addresses factors that they ignore or hardly address including the affect of your emotions, thoughts, actions on your baby conceived or not!

The other thing that is great about this book is that it breaks things down into manageable parts and gives specific techniques that I wish I had had when I was pregnant. It talks about all the issues surrounding birth without instilling fear or dread. It describes all the processes around birthing allowing the reader to make informed decisions and to trust her own body. One of the best things in the book is the BornClear Toolbox which has a series of exercises on visualizations, meditations, affirmations, writing, breathing techniques, and art to help you alleviate your fear, connect with your baby and get ready for childbirth.This is THE book to get if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.


Product Description

"It is the mind-body connection that will allow parents to fully experience and appreciate the emotional, physical, and spiritual beauty of childbirth. Better Birth will help guide parents through this journey of creation and destination to birth."
-Donna Karan

Pregnancy should be a time of joy and celebration. But if you're not emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually prepared for childbirth, it can also be a time of stress and anxiety. This groundbreaking book takes the fear out of labor and delivery and arms you with the knowledge to have an informed, safe, and peaceful birth.

Better Birth will be the one resource that you can turn to again and again to get all your questions answered and feel empowered during your birthing process.Birthing expert Denise Spatafora shows you how to prepare yourself to have the childbirth you want, whether you choose to deliver your baby in a hospital, birthing center, or at home. She shows you how to tap into your mind-body connection to draw upon natural relaxation methods that promote a childbirth experience that is beautiful and fulfilling, rather than frightening. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, you and your baby deserve a better birth.



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Review of The Safe Baby: A Do-It-Yourself Guide for Home Safety (Paperback)

This book has been a real gem for my wife and I.We have learned things that we would have never thought of had it not been for The Safe Baby.Little things like avoiding the microwave for heating baby foods was great to read about in this book.It takes many different pieces of information to insure a healthy and happy baby and all of them are included in this precious book.May you enjoy it and may your child be benefited from it.



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