Any good books esp. for 1st time mums?
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
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Topic: Any good books esp. for 1st time mums?
Posted By: Spicy Chick
Subject: Any good books esp. for 1st time mums?
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 1:38pm
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I'm so thirsty for information - from what to expect during labour and childbirth to how to care for my newborn etc.
Have you read any good books that you'd recommend? Also, is it because my MW is not doing a good job or will I learn everything I need to know at antenatal classes? I just feel so clueless, and don't know what to ask my MW unless she offers info! And she doesn't really do that. She always asks if I have any questions -but I don't know what I don't know so never really know where or how to start! ------------- 1st baby!  
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Replies:
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 1:45pm
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I found my MW covered labour and birth closer to the time, probably to make sure it was more fresh in my mind instead of risking preggy brain forgetting it.
We learnt a fair bit about all that stuff at antenatal class but DH and I like kaz cookes books. Up the duff for pregnancy and kidwrangling for once its here and that one covers quite alot. But what to do with a newborn I found I learnt best by reading posts on here that came up about them and just hands on experience. I had never held a newborn before Daniel. Had changed a nappy only a couple of times. I learnt quick at hospital lol |
Posted By: Henna79
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 1:50pm
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I got You and Your Baby Pregnancy: The Ultimate Week by Week Guide by Dr Laura Riley and I absolutely loved it. It really was week by week telling you what was expected to happen to you and also babies growth. My sister has Up the Duff by Kaz Cooke (bought for her as a present ) I will ask her if it was any good and let you know
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Posted By: TysMummy
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 2:10pm
i have every book knows to man  BUT ill have to say after i just recieved this book i won it is BY FAR the best book you could ever get and i wish i had it when i was a new mum.........its called............The New Zealand pregnancy Book , guide to pregnancy, birth and a babys first 3 months. by sue pullon and cheryl benn.............its big like a bible but it has charts to help you concieve what to buy and every question you wont to ask..........it even has pics of what it looks like to give birth different ways and wat buggies are right etc......i could carry on all day, oh and something no antenatal class etc tells you but what happens when soemthing goes wrong.........if i had known that i wouldnt have panaiked so much when it did  all the best hun------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Spicy Chick
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 2:12pm
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Thanks for the quick response!
I'm already reading Kaz Cooke's "Up the Duff", lent to me by a friend. It's very light and easy to read... but I'm not so concerned about reading on what's happening to my body and the baby's development etc. I find there are a lot of sources which provide info on this on the internet. Most pregnancy tracking devices and other wesites give quite a good account on the baby's development week by week. I'm very curious about labour, what goes on during childbirth, and how to look after baby once it's here etc. ------------- 1st baby!
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Posted By: M2K
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 2:14pm
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I am currently reading Up the Duff by Kaz Cooke, and I love it! Im thinking I will learn a lot from antenatal classes... I think one experience is always different to another persons, but I find it helps to ask friends, as most of mine are on their 2nd or 3rd kids (this is also my first).
Although I am scared to find out everything about labour!! I just can't bring myself to look at pics or anything ------------- 
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Posted By: Spicy Chick
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 2:14pm
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Oh thanks Tysmummy!
That sounds like just the book I would want! I'll go check it out at the bookstores today ------------- 1st baby!
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Posted By: TraceyA
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 2:17pm
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I have
* Up the Duff, by Kaz Cooke (Aussie) * Oh Baby... birth, babies & motherhood uncensored, by Kathy Fray (NZ) * The new pregnancy & childbirth, by Sheila Kitzinger (UK) * NZ Pregnancy Book, by Sue Pullon I'd recommend them all so far ------------- TTC #2 |
Posted By: TysMummy
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 2:20pm
no worries  if you lived in my area i could have lent it to you i should probably sell it but it is such a good book that even hubby likes reading it so may put it aside until my babies have babies  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Spicy Chick wrote:Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 2:21pm
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I would recommend "Sleeping like a baby" by Pinky McKay. I thought that sleep was something that Jack would automaticaly know how to do, how wrong was I!! It covers how they sleep i.e sleep cycles, how to settle them, sleep associations and lots more including their different development stages. It covers varies methods and techniques you can use. I only wish I had read it before Jack was born ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: FreeSpirit
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 2:24pm
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I found "What to expect when you're expecting" was my lifeline (and my partners!). Great month by month updates on what bubs is doing in there, and lots of those "dumb" questions answered. ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 2:53pm
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NZ Pregnancy Book, by Sue Pullon This is good- just been re released with more modern take, new photos etc. really nice book :)
I want to read Up the Duff- Ive heard about it. ------------- 
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Posted By: Luckymama23
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 3:00pm
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Hi there!
I had the same problem, my MW pretty much raced thru the whole 'birth' side of things!! But I found 'Oh Baby' by Kathy Fray to be totally awesome, she covers almost every topic you can think of, and has really good sleep tips that we found to be a HUGE help with Jack!
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 3:30pm
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I have the book Ty's mummy mentioned "the New Zealand Pregnancy book " its really good, even has a few pages dedicated to cloth nappies .
however, Caitlyn found it and looked through it , and saw the (very graphic) birth pics , and has informed me shes never having a baby  ------------- 
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Posted By: TysMummy
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 4:56pm
haha yeah i saw the pics and told hubby im never having a baby.....too late...........actually TMI but i was kinda making sure if they where clean shaven or not if you get my point as this is the one thing i was concerned about ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jjands
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 5:27pm
| yeh I just bought nz preg book a couple weeks ago it's really good I recommend it! |
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 5:29pm
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For something slightly different, I'd highly recommend 'Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering' by Dr Sarah J. Buckley ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: littleLittle
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 8:39pm
Remind her of those pics when she's 16 and starts dating!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Flanosau
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 9:22pm
| my sister swears by "the best friend's guide to pregnancy" truthful apparently, especially good for first timers. Just waiting for my copy in the post... |
Posted By: Flanosau
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 9:23pm
| full name: The Best Friends' Guide to Pregnancy: Or Everything Your Doctor Won't Tell You |
Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 12 February 2009 at 10:35pm
ha, don't worry , before she goes out on any dates I'll be showing her those pictures . The first birth they showed, the last pic, of the placenta being born , that scared me , I didnt realise it was the placenta , I thought the woman's stomach had come out ..... -------------
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Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 13 February 2009 at 8:17am
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I have both Up the Duff, which I find good. However, my OB gave me the NZ Pregnancy book - it is the BEST book. It covers everythin. My mum had a look through it and was amazed - she kept saying she wished she had something as good (and as graphic - so she knew what to expect) when she was having babies.
------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: palomino
Date Posted: 13 February 2009 at 10:27am
| I had the NZ Pregnancy Book and Oh Baby. Absolutly love the oh baby one for now, and the nz pregnancy one + internet was great whilst i was pregnant. |
Posted By: queenb
Date Posted: 13 February 2009 at 11:17am
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I definitely recommend up the duff, FUNNY and truthful. Also closer to the time, Baby Whisperer, which I've just finished reading. fantastic ideas about starting how you mean to go on ... i.e. schedule etc. not in a controlling manner just so that you have time for yourself, and baby learns to self soothe etc. well time will tell
also, if you are interested in a natural birth, look up hypnobirthing. you can buy the book, and/or do a course if in your area www.positivebirths.co.nz ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: maysie
Date Posted: 13 February 2009 at 3:24pm
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I really don't think any book can totally prepare you for the labour part! Even after AN classes I still turned to the lovely ladies online to figure out what was happening and then once I got to the hospital I forgot everything I'd read/learnt. Your midwife will probably go over early labour/labour closer to the time otherwise try and remember to ask her if you have any worries. I think sometimes they forget that we don't go through it everyday like they do! :)
I read many books and the ones I found most helpful were: Up the Duff (during pregnancy) Treasures Pregnancy & Birth Magazine (during pregnancy) Baby Love (esp for the first few weeks its a good reference book to look things up) From the Hips The last one is an American one but the women who wrote it developed the concept after being part of an online forum (like this!). It has opinions from many women and their experiences which I really liked cause you weren't just getting one point of view :) ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Cals
Date Posted: 13 February 2009 at 4:50pm
Hi belindajane, I am interested to know if you (or anyone else) have tried Hypnobirthing and if so how did you find it? |
Posted By: Spicy Chick
Date Posted: 16 February 2009 at 11:59am
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I bought NZ Pregnancy Book on Friday and am absolutely loving it!
Cals, there is another thread on Hypnobirthing on page 1 of Pregnancy section (I think). I've just enrolled for it myself, the book and CDs have arrived, very interesting reading! I can't wait for my class to start (schedule to start next month) ------------- 1st baby!
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Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 16 February 2009 at 9:12pm
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'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth' is a fabulous book Once bubs arrived I was kicking myself and wishing that I'd spent more time during pregnancy reading up on how to care for a newborn. Because in the scheme of things, labour and birth are over in a flash All the best for your labour, birth and beyond |
One half of the book contains tips about how to prepare for labour and birth and the other half is dedicated to very inspirational birth stories. It was recommended to me by the women who runs our local Active Birth group and I'm so pleased she suggested I read it. Learnt so much, and believe it helped me to have a natural, drug-free labour Posted By: Bexee
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 5:29pm
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I'm a bit late to the thread but also loved the New Zealand Pregnancy Book.
Bought DH a book called Call me Dad for Valentines, and found it great. It's written by three kiwi men and I found it really interesting to read some of the stuff from a guys perspective. Not really the one to give you much info about the birth but a great overview book!! |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 17 February 2009 at 10:50pm
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"Up the duff" is pretty good and I also have the NZ pregnancy book which was my bible! I LOVED that book!!!
I also loved reading the pregnancy magazines that you can buy, I like reading real life stuff. ------------- |
Posted By: Flanosau
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 11:45am
| I;ve received four books from my sister in the post. The girlfriend's guide to pregnancy which I've mentioned before, the NZ pregnancy Guide, The Baby Whisperer and one more Dorling Kindersley pregnancy book. THe girlfirends guide has been really fun to read. It's low on theory and high on experienced-based anecdotes. Its humour means you get a more lighthearted approach to all those wonderful and horrible things about pregnancy and childbirth. My BoyF enjoys me reading aloud from it to him - just about the only thing that he will listen to or is interested in reading. The other pregnancy books are great factual guides, particularly the NZ pregnancy guide. The Baby Whisperer I find a bit scary at the moment - cluster feeding??!! It all sounds a bit complicated but perhaps that is because I keep dipping in and out of it rather then reading it in order. Apparently you can also get the DVD of the book and it is menat to be excellent for first timers. |
Posted By: Flanosau
Date Posted: 18 February 2009 at 11:48am
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oh and the placenta pic in the pregnancy guide made me wish that birth could be conducted under general anaesthetic.
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