Product Description

In the past 10 years the number of twin births has risen 52 percent and the number of higher-order multiples has increased more than 400 percent! Written by a perinatal nurse specializing in multiple birth education, The Multiple Pregnancy Sourcebook explores the physical, financial, and emotional challenges of this high-risk condition. Included is an extensive list of support resources.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #148490 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Amazon.com Review
Your reaction might have been something like this: "Hurrah! I'm pregnant! What? TWINS?!" Being pregnant with two (or more!) is different from being pregnant with one, and The Multiple Pregnancy Sourcebook tells it like it is, from weight gain to proper preparation for bringing your duplicate (or triplicate) bundles of joy home from the hospital. Author Nancy Bowers couldn't be more qualified to write such a book: not only is she a nurse and teacher of birth classes, she is also the mother of her own set of twins.

This book covers the same material as any pregnancy guide, and in approximately the same order. Starting with proper nutrition and continuing through the standard routines of visits and testing, it finishes up with the actual labor, postnatal care, and a walk-through of those first few days at home. Because all this information is aimed specifically at multiple pregnancies, you'll also find information about subjects like selective reduction, bed rest, and the chances of having at least one baby delivered by cesarean section. Through it all, Bowers's wise and experienced tone manages to soothe while educating. Bowers emphasizes that "multiple pregnancy is demanding work, but the rewards are matchless." She frequently encourages parents to seek out support, whether through a parenting group or a counselor, and provides an excellent guide at the end of the book that offers contact information for all sorts of potential help.

Destined to become a classic for parents of multiples, this sourcebook is one you'll want to keep handy throughout your pregnancy and beyond. --Jill Lightner

About the Author

Nancy Bowers, R.N., B.S.N., is the president of Marvelous Multiples and teaches perinatal classes for families expecting multiple birth.

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book!!!
This book is excellent!!! This book is jam packed with tons of information on multiple pregnancies. However, it is not for the timid. The risks are spelled out to you extremely well and may frighten some people. But the risks are there and they are very real. You have to look at it in perspective (for instance, if it says 30% fatality, that's 70% who survive...)
I was looking for information on twins when I stumbled upon this book. I wanted a book to "spell it all out" vs just a little paragraph or page in the average pregnancy book. I wanted to "know it all" and was satisfied with this book. Definetly recommended!!!

A MUST READ!
I discovered this book about halfway through my pregnancy and was so disappointed not to have found it sooner! It is by far the best twin pregnancy book I have read. A twin pregnancy is such a unique experience and after reading a general pregnancy book or two, you find yourself with lots of questions left unanswered. I kept asking myself, "But how will this be different for me?" Nancy Bowers has the answers. This book is well-organized, well-researched, and covers all aspects of multiple pregnancy in an honest, forth-right manner. Part III "The Joys and Challenges of Being High Risk" can be a bit overwhelming. Here, Bowers reviews the possible problems that can arise during a multiple pregnancy, however she is not alarmist about it. Rather she frequently points out that statistically most of the problems seldom occur. I found it informative and was glad to have the risks spelled out; others might find it somewhat frightening if not kept in perspective --most multiple pregnancies/births are normal and healthy. I'm now 33 weeks pregnant with my twins and reference this book all the time. I had my husband read it and he found it an informative, easy read. We are about to be first time parents and welcome all the info we can get on this very unique experience. Truly a must read for all parents expecting multiples!

Only useful for the 1st time mother
I have no doubt that this book is great for the first time mother, but for someone who has had a child previously, there was not a lot of new information. There is a lot of good basic pregnancy information here, but much of the multiple pregnancy info could be concluded from singleton pregnancy books and good common sense. I wanted specific information on what I could do to prevent pre-term labor, how much to eat and what, and my limitations. This book did not enlighten me very much at all.