Reviews (1)

Helpful book
This is a good book that gives practical advice on how to start or modify a walking regimen during pregnancy. I think it would mostly be useful for beginners who don't know how to start, but it does have plans for moderate and competitive exercisers who want to make sure they are not overdoing it while maintaining a higher intensity. The book reminds me a bit of DK books, with their vibrant photographs. There are some sections on strength training and stretching, and the second half of the book discusses walking during the period after the baby is born, which the authors divide into four postmesters. Overall, a good book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Exercise for pregnant women    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health aspects    6. Health/Fitness    7. Pregnancy & Childbirth    8. Walking    9. Fitness & diet    10. Health & Fitness / Exercise    11. Pregnancy, birth & baby care    12. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Reviews (11)

A Great New Baby Gift
I have given this book to new moms in my life and they have loved the book, the spirit of the text, the helpful photos and clear instruction.This book is excellent for new mothers with or without yoga experience.As a certified yoga teacher, I highly recommend it!

Disappointing
This book offered a great deal of information that was intellectually interesting. For the new Mom looking for a way to incorporate yoga into her life with a new baby it this is not the book.

Time consuming
If you just had a baby you obviously want the best for your new one. So babyyoga is one of the things you try. And it does work. But not with this book. You will never actually get started with babyyoga as this book is too difficult to handle for a beginner. There are no pictures of the actual moves so you have to read the whole thing. And tell me, which mother has extra time on their hands to read a yogabook from cover to cover? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chakras    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Consumer Health    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Family & Relationships    6. Hatha Yoga    7. Infants    8. Infants & Toddlers - Infants    9. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    10. Motherhood    11. Parent and infant    12. Parent-child relationship    13. Parenting - General    14. Parenting - Motherhood    15. Yoga    16. Health & Fitness / Yoga    17. Pregnancy, birth & baby care    18. Yoga for exercise   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful, comprehensive book!
I have used this book with both of my pregnancies and I love it! Last pregnancy I did some of the exercises from about five months up to a couple of weeks before my daughter was born. This pregnancy I started working through the entire book at about seven weeks. I'm going on five months now and it has been great! It takes me about an hour to complete. However, I skip the relaxation section as it doesn't seem to me to belong in the middle of a workout. There are three levels of intensity so it's easy to find one that's comfortable for you. I'm also very uncoordinated even when not pregnant but I found this book easy to follow. I feel very fit and have noticed increased muscle tone over most of my body. I highly recommend this program!

A well planned workout.
When I found out I was pregnant I was at a loss as to how I was going to maintain my fitness as I used to do kick-boxing and Tae Bo three to four times times a week!Obviously that wasn't suitable so I bought this book to help me structure a challenging workout.It begins with warm-ups and mobility stretches before the aerobic exercises which can be done at various levels to suit everyone.Then follows strengthening and toning before the final streches (including those dreaded pelvic floor exercises) and relaxation.Altogether it is a good workout that you can vary according to your energy levels and mood.The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that the complete routine takes a lot longer than the hour stated but there are shorter routines to compensate.I feel great anyway and I don't feel that my fitness has decreased at all since I got pregnant!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Exercise for pregnant women    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Parenting - General    6. Physical fitness for women    7. Pregnancy & Childbirth    8. Prenatal care    9. Women's Health - General    10. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health/Fitness    4. Women's Health - General    5. Yoga    6. Pregnancy, birth & baby care    7. Reference / General    8. Yoga for exercise   

Editorial Review

This book's title sure sounds a little scary, but as its often-hilarious testimonials from first-time parents show, expectant parents frequently feel Read more

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (31)

So simple.
This is my first time being pregnant and i didn't want to be overloaded with useless information.
Common sense approach to pregnancy
I'm 36, overweight, hypertensive, and having my first baby. I wish Pregnancy for Dummies had been the first pregnancy book I had purchased. I purchased three others before I finally got this - in my third trimester- after I rented the DVDs. This book is very straightforward and has sense of humor.I took a childbirth class chock full of info on natural childbirth, breathing, relaxing, etc. This book was a great companion to the class - a basic primer. If you need additional information, go ahead and buy a couple more books (25 is probably overkill, though. It's a baby, not a thesis).
not worth buying if you want to know all your birth options
Since I am a nurse and doula amongst other titles, I figured I would see what this book is all about and I must say that I was very disappointed in it, including the tv program that was based on this book. This book reminded me of going to a hospital-based childbirth education class, where it only gives you one side of birth- the medicalinized way or no way at all, with intervention after intervention.It did not describe at all any of the pain management techniques other than medications, nor did it describe or mention homebirth or birth center options, or even doula support.If you want to know all the current info out there, this book is definately not the one to get. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Exercise/Health    2. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    3. Audiobooks    4. Childbirth    5. Pregnancy    6. Pregnancy & Childbirth    7. Health & Fitness / Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Reviews (5)

Not what I was looking for!
I agree with the comments made by the two reviewers "running chick" and "hivequeen", as I too was disappointed with this book. Further to their comments I would like to add the following as to what I think about this book:
OK but repetitive
This book is great about encouraging you to exercise during pregnancy.However, I think it's geared more for those that do not normally exercise.I was hoping to get more specific exercises out of it.There are a number of stretches and exercises, but if you are already athletic, you probably won't gain anything new from this book.I found it very repetitive.For example nearly the same paragraph for squats is printed in four places: the chapter on the first trimester, second trimester, third trimester, and leg exercises.When the book first arrived, I thought it would be great, but the information could have been covered in about 1/4 of the pages.

Ok for overview
As a web-savvy pregnant woman who is concerned about preparing the muscles for easier delivery and faster recovery after pregnancy, I found this book to be somewhat disappointing in terms of finding information not readily available on the web.It is ok as an overview and contains some useful exercises, but does not specifically address my concerns as well as Maternal Fitness by Julie Tupler, which really goes into detail on the how and why of specific exercises.I would recommend buying that book over this one if you must have only one book.Otherwise The Everything Pregnancy Book is not bad for those also looking for general pregnancy fitness guidelines. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Childbirth    2. Exercise    3. Exercise for pregnant women    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Physical Fitness    8. Physical fitness for women    9. Pregnancy    10. Pregnancy & Childbirth    11. Women's Health - General   

Editorial Review

Sylvia Klein Olkin is a long-time yoga instructor who developed the Positive Pregnancy Fitness (PPF) program, a prenatal health care program that is now taught in more than 30 states. Read more

Reviews (3)

A Wonderful Book, A Wonderful Person
Positive Pregnancy Fitness is the best prenatal/ labor preparedness book I have had the pleasure to read.Sylvia's manner is wonderful, and her directionss are easy to follow.By utilizing the exercises and meditations contained within, as well as her guided breaths and hand movements, I had a wonderfully easy labor (six hours of labor and nine minutes of pushing!)Everyone with whom I have spoken, having used the Positive Pregnancy Fitness program, has had similar experiences. Excellent book, full of information
I have an older version of this book.I followed the excercises with my first pregnancy back in 1988.The illustrations are easy to follow.There are tips on how to relax and the breathing is better than lamaze in my opinion.I would highly recommend this book for filling your pregnancy with good thoughts and relaxation.

Simply the best
This book is simply the best book about taking care of oneself during and after pregnancy.Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise for pregnant women    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. General    4. Health/Fitness    5. Physical fitness for women    6. Pregnancy    7. Pregnancy & Childbirth    8. Pregnancy & Childbirth - Childbirth    9. Pregnancy & Childbirth - Pregnancy   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Exercise for pregnant women    5. Hatha Yoga    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Postnatal care    9. Pregnancy    10. Pregnancy & Childbirth    11. Prenatal care    12. Yoga    13. Health & Fitness / Yoga    14. Pregnancy, birth & baby care    15. Yoga for exercise   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Exercise for women    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health and hygiene    7. Health/Fitness    8. Mothers    9. Physical fitness for women    10. Postnatal care    11. Pregnancy & Childbirth    12. Health & Fitness / Exercise   

Reviews (1)

Great book for stretching and relaxation
During the last trimester when I was more uncomfortable, the exercises I did from this book helped me to relax.Since I was walking, sitting and sleeping differently (than before getting pregnant), the exercises in this book helped me to stretch muscles safely and also to meditate/relax tight muscles.This was extremely helpful during the last week of my pregnancy, since my baby was pinching my psiatic nerve in my lower back.A few exercises helped my body to better deal with this type of discomfort. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    2. General    3. Health/Fitness    4. Pregnancy & Childbirth    5. Exercise & workout books    6. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Editorial Review

Denise Austin, popular television fitness celebrity and exercise-video leader, is also the mother of two little girls. She stayed in shape through her pregnancies, keeping meticulous records of how she did it, and she wants you to understand that you can, too. Read more

Reviews (3)

Somewhat dated info, not for those who already exercise
This book has two good points: it's written in Denise's usual friendly and motivating tone, which will be encouraging to the mom-to-be; and it contains several good recipes.
Great read!!
This book got me through my first pregnancy and now that I'm in the beginning stages of my second pregnancy, I've already reread it.I was never a "fan" of Denise Austin and never used her workout tapes or watched her on TV, but I became a fan after reading this book.I am planning on buying her pregnancy workout video to compliment the book this time since I enjoyed her book during my first pregnancy.I by no mean am a fitness guru and haven't ever been in fantastic shape, but the excersizes in this book were easy to read and to follow.I enjoyed the recipes and also loved all the other information she throws in about pregnancy.I highly recommend!

Want to keep in shape during pregnancy?
For those mothers-to-be who wish to keep in shape during pregnancy, Denise Austin will motivate you.This informative book presented with Denise's friendly enthusiasm is an excellent companion to her Pregnancy Plus Workoutvideotape.In Denise Austin's Ultimate Pregnancy Book, Denise presentsexercises suited to each trimester of pregnancy, sample menu plans, recipesinterspersed with pregnancy Q & A.She also includes a Shape Up AfterBaby chapter.I've sampled some of her recipes and am currently followingher exercises.Whether or not you are a Denise Austin fan, you will findthis book helpful and perhaps you too will find her enthusiam contagious. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Exercise    2. Exercise for pregnant women    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Gynecology & Obstetrics    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health and hygiene    7. Health/Fitness    8. Healthy Living    9. Nutrition    10. Nutritional aspects    11. Physical Fitness    12. Pregnancy    13. Pregnancy & Childbirth    14. Pregnant women    15. Health & Fitness / Exercise    16. Pregnancy, birth & baby care    17. Health    18. Fitness   

Reviews (1)

Connecting the parent's soul and the child's soul in a beautiful way
Author Dawson Church endows a beautiful sensitivity to his beaming text about communing with your unborn child. It's a beautifully insightful book that broaches the bridge between parents and their unborn children. In special exercises, the author describes how to attune to the soul of your child while in the womb, to find a source of inspiration, connection and information that would otherwise be unavailable. It has great advice for conscious parenting, plus how to heal the childhood wounds that get in the way of each of us having healthy mother and father archetypes. This is a valuable, inspirational message regarding what is essential to healthy, human interaction, not just for birth, but for life. Any becoming or new parent will glean wonderful gems of wisdom that will completely change their experience of having children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bioenergetics    2. Breathing exercises    3. Childbirth    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family Relationships    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Parent and child    9. Parenting - General    10. Pregnancy    11. Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Reviews (1)

This is a good book to have in your "Motherhood" section
Kim Camp (wife of Christian recording artist Steve Camp) know what she's talking about when it comes to motherhood, she and Steve have five children. During this book she was pregnant with/recovering from her fifth pregnancy. She covers all aspects of mommyhood: physical, emotional andspiritual, but in a girl next door manner. You never feel talked down to.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - Physical Health    2. Exercise    3. Health & Fitness    4. Health/Fitness    5. Motherhood    6. Religion - Marriage & Family   

Reviews (10)

A very introductory set
I agree that Before Your Pregnancy can be helpful, if any experience with nutrition or a healthy lifestyle is limited.It covers the basics, but doesn't help too much with specifics.But the fact that it puts the responsiblity of parenting, before and during pregnancy, in the hands of mother and father is perhaps the best introduction it can provide.

Good for what it was intended to be
This package set is very good for what it was intended to be: a very general nutrition and exercise information resource. HOWEVER, if you have a basic knowledge of the food pyramid, exercise, and pregnancy hazards (alcohol, tobacco, caffiene) I would not recommend spending the money. The book is not more in-depth than the video, only six reciepts are included, and only a handful of exercises are available. This package is very limiting in scope. My advice: try your local library first before you buy.

Just what I've been looking for!
I thoroughly enjoyed this resource.Perhaps it was because I was reallysearching for someone/something who would compassionately discuss what myhusband and I could do to prepare for conceiving our first child.Thisvideo and booklet kit had that personal feel.I also liked being able toconnect a face with the person who wrote it (and she was pregnant in thevideo--a good sign!).Some of what I know I should be doing with nutritionand fitness was reinforced, but other information was new and specific tomy needs.I also like the way my hips, legs, and stomach feel after havingdone the mini workout at the end of the video three times this week. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    2. Family/Marriage    3. Pregnancy & Childbirth   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Exercise    3. Exercise for pregnant women    4. Health/Fitness    5. Human Exercise Physiology    6. Physiological aspects    7. Pregnancy    8. in pregnancy    9. Gynaecology & obstetrics    10. Reproductive medicine   

Reviews (1)

Lots of Options for exercises while pregnant
I had been looking thru all the "other" books for what exercises I could/could not do, most had barely a handful of suggestions.Then i came across this book, and although it is small, it is thorough in showinga wide variety land and water exercises.It is small enough to bring tothe gym with me, the pictures really helped to understand the positions. There is also basic health information for the pregnant woman...a good bookfor those interested in exercising throughout their pregnancy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Exercise    4. Exercise for pregnant women    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Pregnancy    8. Pregnancy & Childbirth    9. Relaxation    10. Exercise & workout books    11. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Reviews (2)

Stupid Book
Do NOT get Elizabeth Bing's book about losing weight after pregnancy... it was a waste of time and money. New mothers should make time for this book
Books like these often get shoved aside in the upheaval that overtakes a woman after the birth of a baby. The night table is cluttered with diapers, wipes, burp rags, nursing pads and baby care manuals. Who has time to wastereading? Especially about a depressing subject like losing all that babyweight?Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Exercise for women    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. General    5. Nutritional aspects    6. Postnatal care    7. Pregnancy & Childbirth    8. Puerperium    9. Weight loss    10. Women's Health - General   

Editorial Review

Helga Hughes developed the "Watercise While You Wait" program, a prenatal water workout program described and illustrated in Read more

Subjects:  1. Aquatic exercises    2. Exercise    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health/Fitness    6. Pregnancy    7. Pregnancy & Childbirth - Childbirth    8. Prenatal care   

Subjects:  1. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    2. Pregnancy & Childbirth - Childbirth   

Reviews (2)

If you do it in a pool, call it water fitness...
I was extremely disappointed in this book.It read like an instruction manual dumbed down to elementary grade levels.The stretches in the book could mostly be done on land.The definitions were over the top.Defining water, then defining fitness, then (they actually put them together)...I'll save you the money.If you already know how to swim, do that.

An excellent resource for mothers-to-be
This book is packed with useful information for women who are eager to remain active during their pregnancies.The clear instructions and easy-to-follow illustrations ensure that even beginners can enjoy a safeand healthy workout. The book also contains clear guidelines on modifyingyour workout as your pregnancy progresses.This is the best book of itstype available, which is why I recommended it in my own book, TheUnofficial Guide to Having A Baby. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aquatic exercises    2. Exercise    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Health/Fitness    7. Pregnancy    8. Pregnancy & Childbirth    9. Fitness training    10. Pregnancy, birth & baby care    11. Swimming & diving