Reviews (1)

Exam Preparation for Diagnostic Ultrasound: Abdomen & Ob/Gyn
I purchased this review text after already having taken a seminar. I liked it very much. It was simplistic and to the point. I felt the CD/ROM was the most helpful. The mock exams explained why you were getting answers correct or incorrect. There were helpful test taking tips throughout the text as well as in the first few pages. I passed the test with ease and I feel that I owe a lot to this book and CD for helping me prepare for the test taking atmosphere. THIS IS A MUST HAVE!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A "must have" for obstetrical practitioners.
This book is an absolute "must have" for obstetrical practitioners and expectant parents who are looking for a way back into normal childbirth. Medicalized obstetrics has taught their students and society that "techno-birth" is not only logical but safe. This book proves that the way we have been delivering babies for the past 40 years is not the safest most competent care we can give. Hopefully, after reading this book, the practitioner will come away with a renewed sense of purpose in providing safe, logical, evidence-based care, and the expectant parent will take a firmer stand against allowing unneccessary and hazardous "routine" birth interventions. We are all the better for this book and the many years of sound, documented research it provides us. The next generation of babies will thank us!

An important reference work for anyone involved with birth.
This book is an invaluable reference tool for anyone involved in childbirth, including educators, doulas, midwives, nurses and doctors. It provides reviews of the current literature regarding just about any procedure of standard care that a pregnant woman is likely to encounter in the American medical system. This book provides important information, especially for anyone who is trying to convince an OB that "standard procedures" (like limiting food for a laboring woman) may not be supported by research ... Read more

Book Description

YES, YOU PROBABLY CAN GET PREGNANT
...and the really good news is that most of you can conceive naturally, without expensive high-tech intervention. The six-step mind/body fertility enhancement program from Harvard Medical School could give you the answer.

Book Description

Finally!A concise yet complete, easy-to-use reference guide designed to be used everyday in the delivery room and in the Surgical Pathology gross room, by everyone charged with gross placental examination. Obstetricians, general practitioners, pathologists, residents, nurse midwives, OB nurses, physician assistants and pathologists' assistants will benefit from its contents. Its unique clinical-pathological correlation approach allows quick review of the possible placental findings associated with specific maternal and fetal conditions, and the fetal consequences thereof, a focus which is also helpful for those providing prenatal care.

Section I. Clinicopathological Correlations is the "driving force" of the guide. It is divided into chapters based upon the maternal, fetal and placental indications for placental examination. Each indication is subsequently concisely described by its Definition, Clinical Associations, Gross Features, Microscopic Features, Etiologyand Significance. For clarification of features of the normal and the abnormal placenta, turn to Section II. Placental Pathology. For an explanation of terminology used in prenatal clinical histories, turn to Section III. Clinical Definitions. In recent years, the placenta has played an increasingly important role in litigation, particularly in cases on behalf of neurologically impaired children. To review the placenta's impact on litigation, turn to Section IV. Legal Implications. Additionally, there are over 70 commonly used abbreviations, 23 clinical and pathological tables and 41 schematics, illustrations and photomicrographs.The user friendly table of contents and index provide quick and easy access to desired information, cross referenced through out all sections of the guide.

For example, a patient presents with the following clinical history: 38 year old woman, Gravida 2, Para 1, Fullterm 0, Preterm 0, Abortion 1, 36 weeks gestation, 1 pack/day cigarette smoker for 20 years, third trimester bleeding, questionable IUGR, Cesarean section for partial placenta previa.

Can't remember what IUGR stands for?Turn to Abbreviations: IUGR, page 1: "Intrauterine Growth Retardation."

To review causes of third trimester bleeding, turn to Section III: Chapter 13 Clinical Definitions: Hemorrhage, Third Trimester, page 129: "Is an ominous complication of pregnancy although bleeding in late pregnancy is not uncommon.10-15% of cases require medical attention. Third trimester bleeding is a major cause of maternal death, and perinatal morbidity and mortality.Most serious bleeding (2-3% of pregnancies, 30% of third trimester hemorrhage) is due to abruptio placenta or placenta previa.Other less common causes include: 1) circumvallate placenta (more commonly a major cause of 2nd trimester hemorrhage and fetal death); 2) abnormal blood clotting mechanisms; 3) uterine rupture.Most blood loss due to placental accidents is maternal; fetal blood loss is possible, particularly with placental laceration.Bleeding from ruptured vasa previa is the only cause of pure fetal hemorrhage."

Placental examination reveals low placental weight, retroplacental hematoma/abruptio placentae and numerous infarcts.

Want more information about abruptio placentae? Turn to Section II: Placental Pathology, Chapter 9 Maternal Surface (Basal Plate): Abruptio Placentae, page 81: "In cases of abruptio placentae, a clinical condition in which the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery (placental abruption), the basal plate should be inspected for blood clot.In very acute abruption (25-50% of cases) there may be no grossly appreciable abnormality.Adherent, sometimes laminated blood clot, occasionally dissecting into adjacent parenchyma, may be seen with a recent abruption.The clot of an older abruption is firm, dry and stringy, and eventually brown.The placental tissue overlying and adjacent to the adherent blood clot may be: a) dark red due to villous hemorrhage - an early abruption; b) thinned out, over a "saucer-like" depression; or c) depressed, firm and pale with a several day old infarct."

How does the patient's smoking history affect all this?Turn to Section I: Clinicopathological Correlation, Chapter 2 Maternal Indications: Smoking, page 33: Clinical Associations: The older the woman the greater the risk; increased risk for antepartum hemorrhage secondary to abruptio placentae or placenta previa, premature rupture of membranes and preterm labor. Gross Features: may see abruptio placentae, circumvallate placenta, thin umbilical cord, single umbilical artery, chorioamnionitis as a consequence of premature rupture of membranes, fetal stem vessel lesions, changes associated with placenta previa and large infarcts. Microscopic Features: may also see: fetal stem vessel lesions, marginal decidual necrosis, parenchymal and vascular changes of ischemia, increased basal lamina thickness beneath the trophoblastic covering of the villi, decreased density of terminal villi blood vessels and "cobblestone" appearance of the umbilical artery endothelial cells with leakage of plasma and red blood cells into the subendothelial spaces. Etiology. Smoking causes decreased prostacyclin and increased thromboxane synthesis (which alters fetal and maternal circulations toward vasoconstriction), increased platelet aggregation and decreased blood flow.Necrosis of the decidua at the placental margin, due to vascular changes inhibiting blood flow, and microinfarcts are sometimes the nidus for placental abruptions. Significance. Smoking a single cigarette reduces uteroplacental blood flow for 5-15 minutes, which may be long enough to produce decidual necrosis and small placental infarcts, putting the fetus at risk for premature delivery or death.The increased thickness of the basement membrane and decreased density of terminal villi blood vessels, may impose a barrier to the placental-fetal passage of nutrients and oxygen.This may explain why infants of cigarette smokers often have lower birth weights and higher hemoglobin levels at birth than the infants of nonsmokers.Although smokers have a lower incidence of hypertension and pre-eclampsia before and during pregnancy, the fetus is at greater risk for threatened or late spontaneous abortion, diminished breathing movements and increased perinatal mortality.Smoking increases the risk for placenta previa; it correlates with the number of years a woman has smoked and not with smoking during pregnancy.Because smoking accelerates the sclerotic narrowing of small uterine arteries and arterioles, blood flow to many parts of the endometrium is reduced.Later, when the blastocyst is "looking" for a place to implant, these affected areas of endometrium appear less hospitable, therefore the blastocyst implants low in the uterus, where the placenta may cover the cervical os. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must-have reference guide for placental informants...
This is as concise a reference guide for the health care professional and students of placentas I've yet to find. The layout is very logical and is in keeping with the target audience as useful and practical. The focus is wonderfully simple throughout and the contents are beautifully referenced. The illustrations, diagrams and reproductions lend additional detail. This reference/guide will enable the target audience an opportunity to further understand the clinical and practical concepts in a matter of moments rather than more tedious searching in previously published hard bound texts. The authors have beautifully conveyed a simplictic approach that utilizes the significant work of placental experts. In summary this reference guide sets a very high standard of useful and practical information. A level of information for which the professional and the lay person may rely for quick, timely and concise facts about the placenta. ... Read more

Book Description

This handbook assembles a team of experts to review the special problems faced by women with epilepsy. Epilepsy treatments affect fertility and can cause pregnancy complications and birth defects, but most of the available drugs have been tested on men.Moreover, hormone effects on seizures are of particular concern to women at puberty, at menopause, and over the menstrual cycle. Many health-care providers are not informed about the unique issues facing women with epilepsy. This book, published in association with the Epilepsy Foundation of America, fills that gap and provides women with epilepsy with the information they need to be effective self-advocates. ... Read more

Book Description

New from the bestselling author of Outsmarting the Female Fat Cell! A reasonable approach to conquering post-pregnancy weight without dieting, without suffering, and without feeling bad about those extra pounds.

Every woman who's ever had a baby knows how difficult it is to take off that extra weight. But dieting is the last thing a new mother should contemplate, says nutrition and pregnancy expert Debra Waterhouse. Her enormously helpful book supports that theory while revealing some little-known facts that explain just why postpartum pounds are so hard to get rid of. For instance, during pregnancy:

--A woman's waist expands 50 inches
--Her skin is stretched by 400%
--Her hips widen half a foot
--Her fat cells grow to 125% their original size -- all 30 billion of them!

Despite these challenges, it is possible to lose post-pregnancy weight without losing your mind. Waterhouse's trademark "outsmarting" tips can really help. Here she explains why dieting is actually counterproductive in the first few months; encourages mothers to include their newborns in their exercise regimen; shows how to boost metabolism by strengthening muscles; and invites them to embrace -- not despair over -- their new shape. Written in a warm, witty style that will endear her and her philosophy to frustrated new mothers everywhere, Waterhouse's latest offering provides sensible advice, dispels long-held myths, and, best of all, shows women just how their post-pregnancy bodies can be fitter, sexier, and stronger than ever before. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Grateful
I was amazed by how the author shared her personal experiences with all us. I felt much better about my battle w/ the postpartum pounds. I recommend this book for any woman who is feeling self conscious about her body because it's quite helpful...

Made me feel better!
I'm 29 and had my first child 4 months ago. I have been having a terrible time trying to lose the weight and have been feeling very depressed about it. This book made me feel better to know that other women have had problems losing weight after having babies, and that even though I am dieting, exercising and trying to do everything "right" that the weight loss will eventually happen. I have severe postpartum depression, with a main feature of it being depression over weight, so I may just be an extreme case, but I did feel this book did not take the low self-esteem and bad feelings that not losing weight after a baby can result in seriously enough. I have heard all the simplistic solutions before, like "just focus on your baby, the weight will come off", etc., and frankly wish this book would have been a bit more sympathetic to my very real concerns. Also, she recommends "retail therapy" to help yourself feel better, such as buying all new shoes since your feet have grown bigger due to pregnancy. That is all well and good for people who can afford it, but for those of us struggling with the financial strain a new baby can bring and for whom fitting into a full wardrobe of pre-pregnancy clothes is an economic necessity (I can't afford all new clothes!) it seems quite a "pat" answer! All in all, this is a good book with some good suggestions for post-pregnancy weight loss and I found it very encouraging!

Very encouraging
After the birth of my first child it seemed like my body completely changed. Old rules of dieting and excercise didn't seem to work anymore. It didn't seem to matter how little I ate or how hard I excercised, I was still overweight. I was never overweight my entire life before my pregnancy but now it seemed like I would have to accept the fact that I would be overweight forever. Purchasing this book really changed that. It doesn't matter if you had your baby 6 weeks ago or 6 years ago, you can up your metabolism again. Debra Waterhouse explains the biological reasons for these changes in your body after pregnancy
and why our bodies do what they do during postpartum. Also, she gives tips on some "new rules" on excercise which (for me) have proven very effective. Knowing what was going on in my body and why I was keeping on the baby fat really helped me discard the out of control feelings I was having and helped back on the track to fitness. I have been seeing changes and I credit it to the info in this book.

Learning self-nurturing and self-acceptance.
What a book! I would highly recommend that every woman who is pregnant or has recently given birth own a copy of this informative and realistic guide to not only losing weight after having a baby, but learning to accept your body the way it is post-birth. Debra Waterhouse gives real reasons why it's nearly impossible to lose all your baby weight in the first 6 months, let alone 6 weeks, that new moms seem to think it's possible to do. It also busts the myth that breastfeeding moms will lose their weight faster than bottlefeeding counterparts - a total shock to me when I breastfed my first child for a year and still kept on 10 lbs. of pregnancy weight! There are logical physical reasons for all this which are presented here in an easy to understand format. Waterhouse advocates a commonsense approach to losing your pregnancy weight...in effect, don't try too hard the first few weeks...simply pamper yourself (as much as you can with a newborn), keep moving (not necessarily structured excercising), and eat sensibly. After the first few months, it's aerobic excercise and keeping a food journal that will assist in eradicating those stubborn pounds. This is the anti-diet approach to regaining your body, both physically and mentally. It's also a treasure of a book that will help you feel so much better about yourself when you fail to lose the 50 lbs. you gained after the first three months! ... Read more

Download Description

Completely revised and small enough to fit in a lab coat pocket, this review of Obstetrics & Gynecology features 500 questions with answers and explanations, including 200 new questions in clinical vignette format. All questions are reviewed by recent USMLE Step 2 test-takers. ... Read more

Book Description

Expanded and updated, the new edition of the bestselling Clinical Protocols in Obstetrics and Gynecology is the definitive quick-reference for use in office practice and hospital settings. With information drawn from ACOG technical bulletins, OB/GYN publications, articles, textbooks, computer sources, and the author's vast personal experience, outlines of more than 400 clinical protocols help ensure that everyone on the team is on the same page. Flowcharts and algorithms make common problems seem simpler. Tables and decision trees make the information easy to refer to when running from room to room during a busy day in the office or hospital. This complete, up-to-date coverage makes Clinical Protocols in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Edition the best available study guide for board certification and a complete reference for busy obstetricians and gynecologists. ... Read more

Book Description

In the tradition of Pregnancy Day-By-Day, and New Guide to Pregnancy and Childcare, Pregnancy Week-By-Week details expectant moms progress. This handy guide offers suggestions for nutrition, exercise and health as well as which doctors to visit and when. It also provides a weekly diary/record book which enables mothers-to-be to keep track of doctor appointments, exercise suggestions and memorable events.

Pregnancy Week-By-Week also aims to put the expectant mother's fears to rest by giving helpful information. It deals with topics such as coping with morning sickness and fatigue; what medical issues to be concerned with and when; every aspect of the baby's development including the baby's shape and size, development of the head, eyes, muscles, limbs, organs and more; what baby care equipment to consider; preparations for the day of delivery; and a medical glossary.

This essential book will be an expectant woman's best friend during the most anxious and exhilarating 42 weeks of her life. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great for counting down to the birth!
I bought this book early in my pregnancy and found it to be a nice suppliment to other, more detailed books that are available (like "What to Expect When You're Expecting"). This book doesn't have a huge amount of detailed pregancy advice. Nor did I find it very helpful as an organizer - there is only a very small space each day for notes. Plus the book is huge and not very portable, so I'm not sure how that part is meant to be used.

However, I really enjoyed the book. It props up like a flip book, with one week on each page. For each week there is a description of what's going on with the baby (developments, weight, length) and the mom and a picture. My husband and I put the book in our bedroom and each week we would make a little ceremony of flipping the book to the next page and reading what was going on with the baby and me. It was our way of counting down to the birth of our son, and a very special way for us to share the pregnancy together. For that reason alone I highly recommend this book, especially in conjunction with a more detailed reference book.

The best baby book
I bought this book when i was pregnant with my daughter and I absolutely loved it, It really took everything i needed and put it into one book, it told me what was happening to myself, my child and helped me keep track of all the important things going on. I'm going to be buying another one when ihave my second child becuase i loved it so much.

I really liked the calendar aspect of the book.
This is a great book for people who like to keep track of their pregnancy one day at a time, like me. Books like "What to Expect When You're Expecting" are set up in a month-by-month format, but I am one who likes to keep tabs of things in smaller increments than that. Highly recommend!

Good, positive book, but somewhat condescending in tone.
I like the Week-by-Week aspect of this book, and it is exciting to read about and see what is going on at any given time with you and your baby. However, I found the tone of the book somewhat annoying, in that it was condescending - I feel it was written by the type of ObGyn who would like to be the one making all of the decisions for a pregnant woman. I found the pictures of the women in this book somewhat silly too - this book makes it look as if pregnant women have nine months to sit around looking pretty in a bathrobe or leotard. (It even tells about how you can "skillfully" apply your makeup during pregnancy - not high on my priorities!) I think this book is best if used as a supplement to a book such as Sheila Kitzinger's "The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth" which gives you enough knowledge to ask the right questions and make good choices for you, your developing baby, and your family.

Excellent! Best pregnancy book I have found!
This book is fantastic. I had been reading "What to Expect when you are Expecting" and it was making me very nervous. This is a great book that gives a very positive outlook of what is happening to both you and your baby every week. I love to read it with my husband as each week passing. It makes us feel like we are experiencing it together. ... Read more

Book Description

What do you get when a Seinfeld writer marries an OB/GYN? A doctor with a funny delivery. Actually, lots of funny deliveries. Marc Jaffe's job was coming up with hysterical stories for Seinfeld, but nothing was funnier than the stories his gynecologist wife would tell. So, he decided to write this laugh-a-page book about life married to an Ob/gyn. It includes all the crazy stories his wife tells about: * Flying Placentas * Sex toy parties * Immaculate conceptions * Intimate tattoos * Ridiculous 4:00 am phone calls...and more comical incidents of gynecologic and obstetric intrigue. While sleeping with your gynecologist would be wrong, reading Sleeping With Your Gynecologist is very right. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A hilarious book that was hard to put down
A must read for any male or female who wants to know what other women go through behing those secret doors! Many times I was laughing so hard tears rolled down my face. Some of the gynocological secrets (bacon) were too funny. I have reccomended this book to all my (mostly female) friends.

The Doctor is never home
Recently I had the unique opportunity of not only reading "Sleeping with my Gynecologist" but also meeting the author. I found the book to be a great "coffee table read". It was quite a easy read with real down to earth humour. As my wife and I have gone through child birth 3 times (not including our own), I was easily able to relate to the stories told in the book. For everybody who has been involved with pregnancy/childbirth I highly recommend this unique perspective on the most trying times of your life. It is tremendously funny and will allow you to view pregnancy from a totally different perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and laughed more than I can remember!

Gotta disagree with the rave reviews
I was really, really disappointed in this book, especially after reading the raves from both celebrities and other readers. I thought, first of all, there were only about 20 pages of funny stories, and the rest was observational humor about how long we all get kept waiting at the doctor's office, etc. Maybe because Jaffe is used to writing for comedians/shows, his stuff would work really well if delivered in a droll voice, but when you write a book, you really need to have something to say that is fresh and interesting. I just didn't find that here.

The stories were amusing, but I've read one or two of them before, actually (in books by ER doctors). And even the stories didn't have me laughing out loud, as they did the other readers. I LOVE this kind of humor; I've got a huge collection of humor AND true-life medical books. But this left me wishing I'd browsed through it in a bookstore. I definitely wouldn't have spent the money on it.

If you like books by stand-up comedians (SeinLanguage, Ellen deGeneres, Paul Reiser, etc), then this is for you. But even just for light reading, it wasn't for me.

I'm ordering copies for my friends so they won't take mine!
How many times do you read something that actually makes you laugh out loud? I found myself reading passage after passage to my husband, who was initially squeamish about the subject matter. He asked me if he could read it when I was done! If you knew him, you'd know that this is a very special book!

I'll prescribe it for my patients
I've often wondered if our patients have any clue what it's like being an OB/GYN. If they don't then this very funny book will give them some insight into the craziness. It had my husband and I in tears, we were laughing so hard. The middle of the night phone calls were my favorite. That could be a book in itself. All OB/GYNs should get this book and when you're done laughing, put it in your waiting room, or get one for each exam room, then your patients won't mind when you are running behind. ... Read more

Book Description

A great medical detective story, by the author of the best-selling How We Die.

Surgeon, scholar, best-selling author, Sherwin B. Nuland is one of our finest chroniclers of the history of medicine. Obsessed for twenty-five years with Ignac Semmelweis's strange story, Nuland tells it with the urgency and insight gained from his own studies and clinical experience.

Ignac Semmelweis is remembered for the now-commonplace notion that doctors must wash their hands before examining patients. In mid-nineteenth-century Vienna, however, this was a subversive idea. With deaths from childbed fever exploding, Semmelweis discovered that doctors themselves were spreading the disease. While his simple reforms worked immediately, they also threatened the medical establishment and so undid the passionate but self-destructive Semmelweis that he failed to overturn the status quo, leaving it to later medical giants—Pasteur, Lister, and Koch—to establish conclusively the germ theory of disease.

The Doctors' Plague is a riveting, revealing narrative of one of the key turning points in medical history.

About the series: W. W. Norton and Atlas Books announce the launch of an exciting new series—Great Discoveries—bringing together renowned writers from diverse backgrounds to tell the stories of crucial scientific breakthroughs—the great discoveries that have gone on to transform our view of the world. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Cry and the Covenant redux
Childbed fever (puerperal sepsis) was the scourge of pregnant women in the middle of the 19th century. Germs hadn't been discovered yet, and the idea of washing their hands between doing an autopsy and delivering a baby was anathema to physicians, who strongly resented the implication that they were in any way 'dirty,' or that they themselves were the cause of the deaths of between 20-50% of women under their care. Ignaz Semmelweis, an unknown Hungarian obstetrician, concluded that a procedure as simple as hand washing between patients could save nearly all of the women's lives.
He was reviled, sank into despair and depression, and died of self-inflicted puerperal bacteria days after being admitted to a madhouse.
Neuland's superb book updates a much older book on the same subject, The Cry and the Covenant. It documents beautifully an almost forgotten piece of medical history, as Semmelweis's discoveries were later eclipsed by Pasteur and Lister (who had the simple advantage of living after the discovery of the microscope). Don't miss it.

Politics, Personality, and Childbed Fever
Sherwin B. Nuland looks at the strange story of Ignac Semmelweis, the man who discovered the simple means of preventing childbed fever which saved countless lives. The tragedy of his life was that he never went on to elaborate on a form of germ theory that was backed up experimentation or cogent writings (although he did eventually publish a rambling account of his theories that did more harm than good to his reputation). The author is best at setting the scene of women dying in lying-in hospitals in all of its graphic and horrific detail, and in demonstrating the ways in which Semmelweis's own intractable personality and the conservative politics of the hospital's at the time worked against him. The truly great achievment of this man is put into its proper context within its historical time period in a brilliantly succint manner. A nice addition to the Great Discoveries series.

Almost Getting To the Germ Theory
Wash your hands to keep the germs away. Even though we aren't really very good at following this rule, and have to be reminded (with questionable results) during flu season, it seems so very obvious. It is hard to imagine the time when people did not know this, when their mommies did not instill it into them so that it was something like an instinct. And yet, even the best medical professionals of the mid-nineteenth century had to be convinced of it, and until they were convinced, they literally killed their patients because they were not washing their hands. _The Doctors' Plague: Germs, Childbed Fever, and the Strange Story of Ignác Semmelweis_ (Norton) by Sherwin B. Nuland tells the story of how doctors learned to wash their hands. It was a surprisingly difficult lesson for them to learn.

The problem, for those who could see it was a problem, manifested itself most dramatically in maternity wards. The world had not learned about germs yet, but the doctors did not lack for explanations of what is known as puerperal ("childbearing") fever. Unseen spirits were blamed, as well as miasma, a mysterious condition of stale or unhealthful air. For us, it is obvious what was happening, once we know that doctors doing autopsies were going directly to the bedsides of mothers about to deliver, without the use of rubber gloves or handwashing. But only the young Hungarian obstetrician Ignác Semmelweis could see it initially. Semmelweis could make a clear case for a "cadaver factor" being the cause of the death of so many women. His solution was simple: hands were to be scrubbed with disinfectant between patients. It worked, and Semmelweis had the figures to show it.

Unfortunately, Semmelweis turns out to be a deeply flawed hero for this book. He was abrupt, sarcastic, and bullying when he tried to get the doctors to clean up regularly, and he alienated many from his ideas by his abusive personality. He was not only a difficult person to get along with, he inexplicably refused to document his findings in writing and he performed only the most primitive of experiments for verification. He ignored those colleagues who had supported him by fleeing to Hungary when he felt neglected. When he finally did publish, it was in a big, impenetrable book that contained the sort of invective for his foes that he displayed personally. He came astonishingly close to playing a key role in the definition of the germ theory of disease, but simply because of his personality, he had no such influence. He has been pictured before as the upright physician fighting the establishment, and this is somewhat true; but the better picture, given here, is that his own flaws meant that he would not win such a fight. Eventually, he became more obsessed and unreasonable, and his wife had to trick him into confinement at a mental hospital. He seems to have perished there by a beating from the attendants. Nuland's fascinating story shows how an "obvious" medical solution had to be discovered and promulgated more successfully by others, and leaves unasked the question of what current "obvious" solutions we may be neglecting as we climb the crooked ladder of medical progress.

Another fine, short, and concise piece of medical history.
I went through this book in a couple of days. I have always been interested in medical history since medical school, and this was another satisfying excursion into the discovery of so much medical phenomenon in the 1800s. In most ways, it was better for a woman to have her baby at home through help with her neighbors and midwives. America had the luck to be established through pioneers who learned to handle these things on their own, and even in cities, much was done to avoid being placed in hospitals, because it was well-known that if you went into any type of medical institution, you probably were not coming back out. (as proven with Helen Keller's 'Teacher' Annie who was placed with her consumptive brother in such a medical institution...her brother died there).

I had heard of Semmelweis before, I think in one of Roy Portland's history. I found his story incredibly sad, because it is often true that we are our own worst enemies, and he was definitely his. Politics in medicine and in education sounds very much the same, unfortunately, and you have to have the ability to bite your tongue sometimes when you want to lash out at people for their stupidity. This was a concept that Semmelweis seemed to be unable to learn, and his running away from Vienna pretty much sealed his fate as per his true theory of puerpeural disease in women.

One thing I felt was important that Nuland forgot to take into account, is the standing of women in society, both in Europe and in America. I am not a feminist, but it is goofy to ignore the fact that the care of women was not considered as important medically, as the care of men. This is imperative to remember, that in the politics as played out in Vienna and throughout the world with Semmelweis discovery, not only was obstetrics a relatively new field to male physicians (it had been in the realm of midwives before), but women were important for the bearing of children, but that was about it. More importance was placed on saving the children, then on the women...because a husband/father could get a wet nurse for the child, and remarry again with no stigma attached because he had a child to care for. One thing Semmelweis should be lauded for is placing more importance on the saving of women, and that was different from his colleagues in that they were more interested in their own careers and prestige.

I agree with Nuland's critique of the disease that caused Semmelweis mental deterioration as being presenile dementia, rather than tertiary syphillis. Semmelweis was not a man to have gotten syphillis. He was too fastidious, and too busy trying to save lives.

Karen Sadler,
Science education,
University of Pittsburgh

The Cry and the Covenant redux
Childbed fever (puerperal sepsis) was the scourge of pregnant women in the middle of the 19th century. Germs hadn't been discovered yet, and the idea of washing their hands between doing an autopsy and delivering a baby was anathema to physicians, who strongly resented the implication that they were in any way 'dirty,' or that they themselves were the cause of the deaths of between 20-50% of women under their care. Ignaz Semmelweis, an unknown Hungarian obstetrician, concluded that a procedure as simple as hand washing between patients could save nearly all of the women's lives.
He was reviled, sank into despair and depression, and died of self-inflicted puerperal bacteria days after being admitted to a madhouse.
Neuland's superb book updates a much older book on the same subject, The Cry and the Covenant. It documents beautifully an almost forgotten piece of medical history, as Semmelweis's discoveries were later eclipsed by Pasteur and Lister (who had the simple advantage of living after the discovery of the microscope and the acceptance of the Germ Theory). Don't miss it. ... Read more

Book Description

The thoroughly revised, updated Second Edition incorporates thelatest advances in gynecologic oncology and covers new topics of vitalimportance to oncologists, obstetricians, gynecologists, generalsurgeons, and internists. A multidisciplinary group ofcontributors--more than thirty newly selected for thisedition--provides comprehensive coverage of the biology of gynecologiccancers, the therapeutic modalities currently available, and thediagnosis and treatment of specific gynecologic malignancies. TheSecond Edition contains new chapters on cancer prevention, cancer inthe pregnant patient, and gynecologic oncology for the generalobstetrician-gynecologist. Greater emphasis is placed on earlydiagnosis of cancer by techniques such as colposcopy and biopsy. Otherhighlights include a new, detailed chapter on stromal tumors of theovary. ... Read more

Book Description

Malaria kills millions each year, targeting pregnant women and children Malaria in pregnancy has been a long-standing conundrum - why do women immune to the parasite after years of exposure suddenly become susceptible to infection during first pregnancies? Recent scientific breakthroughs have shed new light on interactions between the malaria parasite and the placenta, and raised hope for new drugs and vaccines to protect young mothers.
Malaria in Pregnancy leads the reader through decades of research in epidemiology, immunology and parasitology, drawing on scientific expertise from around the world. Maternal malaria is one of the grreat public health problems of our time and may be the first parasitic infection to be controlled with anti-adhesion drugs or vaccines. The current understanding of malaria in pregnancy and the continued controversies surrounding this syndrome will fascinate all students, scientists and policy-makers interested in infectious disease and women's health. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fantastic!
Extremely informative and wonderfully written.

Patrick Duffy, you have outdone yourself this time. Kudos to you...Kudos indeed! ... Read more

Book Description

A practical, up-to-date, multidisciplinary source of information on the care of women in a primary care setting. More than sixty contributors provide clinically relevant information on diseases and disorders unique to women. The book addresses general topics affecting women’s health such as prevention, health care access, communication styles, and cultural and racial issues. Following the popular Lange CURRENT format, this comprehensive text features superbly organized rapidly accessible information. ... Read more

Book Description

Tap Your Troubles Away

It's that simple. Meridian Therapy is a self-healing system that can be learned in minutes and can relieve a lifetime of emotional pain. A cutting-edge technique based on the ancient art of acupressure, it involves stimulating the energy meridians in the body by tapping on specific energy points and awakening their healing power.

In Five Simple Steps to Emotional Healing, noted therapist Gloria Arenson explains the scientific basis of Meridian Therapy and teaches readers the five easy-to-follow steps that will allow them to break free from stress and negative emotions. Meridian Therapy can be practiced any time, anywhere, in order to

Improve performance in sports, work, and the bedroom
Stop the fears that limit activities and ruin relationships
Eliminate the urge to procrastinate
Conquer cravings and compulsions
Heal emotional scars and painful memories
Improve self-esteem
Dissolve panic attacks before they start ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Skeptics . . . put this to the test
This is one simple, yet powerful technique. All you have to do is put it to the test. Somehow the process cuts quickly to the core negative thoughts and can eliminate self sabotaging behavior that is the result of imprisoning beliefs. We all have internalized some misbeliefs along the way, this quickly frees one from those bonds. This is one book that should be in every library.

It works, it really works!!!
I wish this book would have come out years ago. Gloria Arenson's approach to healing is fantastic. It is fast, easy and you don't have to wait for days or weeks to feel better. It's truly amazing that you can feel better now. The content is thoughtfully laid out and easy to read. Arenson's approach makes me think that this really could be the last self-help book I ever need!

Highly recommended
I found this book to be extremely helpful both personally and professionally. It is written clearly so that busy people, such as myself, can use the technique easily. It is down to earth and basic and at the same time explains in a readable fashion, how and why this method works. I am a psychotherapist and teacher and have taught the technique to students and clients, both adult and children. But most of all, I use it on myself often. It has helped me to cut down on my obsession with chocolate. It has helped reduce pain in my back. It has helped me feel much better over a loss I recently suffered. I could go on and on. It almost seems to easy and simple to be true--but it really does work!!

A Gargantuan 5 Stars!
Okay, so this shouldn't work. It makes no sense. Meridians? Tapping? Where's the logic? At least, that's what I used to think. I've suffered from agoraphobia and found public speaking impossibly painful. But part of my work requires me to occasionally get up in front of huge groups and either give a talk or sit on a panel. I'd reached the point where I couldn't talk or breathe. I was turning down events, which hurt my business and worried me that I was going to end up so agoraphobic that eventually I wouldn't be able to leave the house. Desperation drove me to try Dr. Arenson's method. I used it in advance for a month, practicing just as she says in the book, imagining my getting up in front of the big audience I was scheduled (terrifyingly) to speak at recently. By the time I got there, I was worried but okay. By the time it was my turn to give the talk, I was still okay (when you're agoraphobic, "okay" is wonderful). When I actually opened my mouth, words came out. I could breathe. Even more amazingly, I actually discovered that I was enjoying myself. What a marvelous feeling. And that's the point. So, I give this book a gargantuan 5 stars. If you want help, it's right here.

It really is simple
This technique really works! Don't let the cover fool you this is a great book for both women and men. The book is so easy to understand. The text flows in a logical progression. There are great examples of situations in which people were able to resolve their issue or problem with this technique. I enjoyed reading this book and the technique I learned so much, that I bought several more copies to give to friends. This is one of those "self help" books that actually works! Go ahead make your life better, check out this book. ... Read more

Book Description

The inside scoop for when you want more than the official line

Having a baby is one of life’s most joyous–and overwhelming–events. The choices you make now will affect your baby’s health long after it is born. How should you change your lifestyle now that you are pregnant? How can you be sure that your baby is developing properly? What should you expect at each doctor’s visit? And how on earth will you survive labor?

Now thoroughly updated with more than 200 pages of new and completely revised material, including week-by-week pregnancy tips, The Unofficial Guide^TM to Having a Baby gives savvy parents-to-be like you a foolproof appraisal of what works and what doesn’t–revealing things even your doctor won’t (or can’t) tell you, with unbiased recommendations that are not influenced by any company, product, or organization.

• Vital Information that other sources can’t or won’t reveal–including the very latest research on prenatal and genetic testing.
• Insider Secrets on how to weather the physical and emotional highs and lows of pregnancy, with tips on health, exercise, sex, and career management.
• Money-Saving Tips that help you save on baby gear and maternity wear.
• The Latest Trends in new childbirth methods, including Doula care, pain management, and alternative birthing options.
• Handy Checklists and Charts to track your baby’s development, identify potentially dangerous medications and drugs, and record the milestones in your pregnancy.

Reviews (78)

The most comprehensive pregnancy book on the market today
The editors at Amazon.com have it right: this book *is* the most comprehensive pregnancy reference book on the market today. There's information in this book that you won't find anywhere else: detailed information about prenatal testing, coping with the stress of a high risk pregnancy, being pregnant on the job, and much more.

The information is comprehensive and extremely up to date. In fact, there's brand new information from the Yale University Department of Genetics about trends in carrier testing--a subject we're going to be reading a lot more about in years to come. There's also groundbreaking new data about high tech fertility methods, surrogacy, and the latest advances in preconception health.

The web site directory also made a great addition to the book. I haven't had a chance to visit all of the web sites yet--there were over 100 web sites listed in the book!--but I've been very impressed with the calibre of the web sites that the authors have selected. (My husband got a real kick out of the one with the sports conflict catcher for expectant parents--a tool that lets parents time their pregnancies so that their due dates won't conflict with major sporting events. He wishes he'd known about that one sooner. Our baby is due in prime football Bowl season!)

This book is fun to read and packed with useful information. I'm so glad that my doctor gave me a copy of this wonderfully informative book.

Great book to use as a guide.
I purchased this book looking to learn more about getting pregnant, being pregnant and giving birth. The book reviews every aspect of being pregnant, and giving birth while touching slightly on the decisions to be made pre- pregnancy. I could easily skip over sections that I knew didn't apply to me.
Overall, I am very glad I purchased and read the book, as I believe it has given me more to think about as well as some great advice/tips. The sections about doctor, and childcare are extremely helpful as they provide you with a list of questions to ask. Additionally the chapters on what to buy and how to save are VERY helpful. I am extremely glad I read these chapters since I am not pregnant yet. I feel that I am more informed and armed with some good information.

Great book
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I've been using it for my whole pregnancy and it has answered every question I have and even some that I didn't think to ask. I highly recommend this book.

Fabulous resource
This book is full of useful information that you can easily reference when you need to. It's a must for first time mothers.
Debbie Farmer, parenting author of 'Don't Put Lipstick on the Cat'

Second edition is AMAZING!
I debated about whether or not to buy the second edition of this book because I already own the first edition and I own The Mother of All Pregnancy Books, too (a book written by Ann Douglas, one of the authors of The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby). But I can tell you that the second edition is a huge improvement over the first edition, and that's really saying something, because the first edition was pretty exceptional (we're talking mega-comprehensive).

So why would you want to own two pregnancy books by the same author? Because they are two completely different books. The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby gives you a highly comprehensive medical look at pregnancy, structured in a week-by-week format. The Mother of All Pregnancy Books give you a much chattier insider guide to pregnancy: the kind of stuff that your sister or your best friend would tell you if you were having a heart-to-heart the night the pregnancy test came back positive. The two books cover totally different turf, which is why I bought them both.

Other books that are pregnancy must-reads, in my opinion: The Expectant Father (for fathers); The Pregnancy Journal (if you want to keep track of your baby's changes/growth day by day); and Pregnancy Fitness (for staying fit during pregnancy). ... Read more

Book Description

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is the detection and screening of genetic abnormality in gametes prior to fertilisation and embryos fertilised in vitro prior to implantation. This exciting new text provides an introduction and overview of the principles of PGD.
An exciting fusion of prenatal diagnosis (PD) with in vitro fertilisation (IVF), this book is will appeal to both the prenatal diagnosis community, of clinical geneticists and foetal medicine specialists within obstetrics and gynaecology, and the IVF community within reproductive medicine. It is also an essential introduction to PD, clinical genetics and IVF for non-specialists.

• A concise introduction to the field of PGD
• Detailed explanations of the techniques and procedures used
• The law and ethical implications of PGD
• Future uses of PGD