(** Article first published as Book Review: High-Risk Pregnancy: Why Me? Kelly Whitehead, with Dr. Vincenzo Berghella on Blogcritics.)
I received an email pitch in October last year from Kelly Whitehead, the author of this book asking whether I am interested in reviewing her upcoming book. I had only started reading the book last month and although I have never experienced any high-risk pregnancies, I do want to know more about this as I have friends who have suffered through miscarriages and also the passing of their babies. So here goes my review for the "High-Risk Pregnancy - Why Me? " book:
Title: High-Risk Pregnancy - Why Me?
Authors: Kelly Whitehead & Dr. Vincenzo Berghella
Publisher: Evolve Publishing; 1st edition (December 1, 2011)
ISBN-13/-10: 978-0983264743 / 0983264740
Paperback: 424 pages
Dimension: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
Description from the product page:
"Facing a possible high-risk pregnancy? Struggling to keep your fear and anxiety under control? Overwhelmed by a long list of unknowns? Seeking medical answers and emotional reassurance?
The road to parenthood is tough enough. Adding the fear of a possible premature baby can make it overwhelming: bed rest, countless meds, endless tests, no sex, the list goes on and on. So, when past history or known risk factors increase the likelihood of a high-risk pregnancy and a premature baby, Why Me? delivers...
Written by a mom-scientist who lost her first baby at nearly 23 weeks and endured two subsequently successful high-risk pregnancies in collaboration with one of the world's top medical authorities on premature birth, WM? provides the answers and knowledge your head craves, while addressing the heart's need to manage one's fears, to know they're normal and to be reassured that you can and will get through this. "
Like I mentioned earlier, although I have never experienced any high-risk pregnancies with my two children, I do want to know more about the subject as I have friends who have suffered through miscarriages and also the passing of their babies. The goal of Kelly Whitehead's "High-Risk Pregnancy: Why Me? Understanding and Managing a Potential Preterm Pregnancy - A Medical and Emotional Guide" book is to educate and give you a better understanding and to let you know there is hope and nothing is impossible!
I like the chapter on Preeclampsia (page 47 to 56) which is very detailed and good as I now understand the reasons for the routine check-ups on blood pressure, weight, and urine tests being carried out during the pre-natal visits.
I also agree with the points on choosing the right doctor (chapter 15) as I have personally experienced myself the effects of a not so committed doctor who rushes through our appointments (We always get the "So anymore questions? Ok?" within the first 10 minutes into my check-up) and we decided to change to another gynae after I was prescribed a hormone pill (to make the foetus grow faster) and was advice to take it orally (I experienced side effects from that!)
We also found out from our 2nd gynae that it is not advisable to continue with my current over-the-counter multivitamins as the amount of some vitamins are too high for pregnant mums to consume (which also may harm the baby)
Furthermore, I find the "Dos and Don'ts of the NICU" (page 324 to 328) very useful as it gives helpful tips on how to deal with the newborn and the parents as well.
"High-Risk Pregnancy" is inspiring, too, in its inclusion of some real-life stories, encouraging pregnant women with cases of other women experiencing the same (or even worse situations). A sense of support and hope may be instilled by examples of how these earlier women ultimately overcome their obstacles, finding closure and moving on with their lives when things do not work out.
To sum it all, this book is an incisive and thorough book to have as I get to learn and understand more about high-risk pregnancies. I am truly thankful to be able to carry my two children to full terms and delivered them both naturally without any complications.
You can get this book from Amazon
or http://shop.hrpwhyme.com/.
I received no monetary compensation for this review, I was provided with a PDF copy of the book by the author in order to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed in this post are my own. Please do your own research when purchasing products, as your opinions may differ from mine. And if you'd like to read my previous book reviews, you can do so by reading this post of mine called "My Book Reviews"
