Taking Charge of Your Pregnancy: The New Science for a Safe Birth and a Healthy Baby

Obstetrics researcher Fisher debuts with an informative “course in human pregnancy” that brings conversations “out of the dark corners” and into the everyday. While most children have basic knowledge about “where babies come from,” Fisher writes, there’s still a large gap in most conversations about pregnancy and birth, which leaves women less than prepared to advocate for themselves when they become pregnant. Fisher focuses on arming women with knowledge about such topics as preparing for birth (including a detailed list of medical procedures a woman may be asked to make decisions about), a timeline of fetal development, environmental contaminants to avoid, and what to expect during delivery. She also describes such procedures as noninvasive prenatal testing, to help women understand the choices available to them. While she’s not afraid to get into the weeds, she keeps her advice encouraging: “I want you to feel prepared for each step in the process, so that you can take charge of your pregnancy.” This is worth a place on any expectant mother’s bookshelf. Agent: Katherine Cowles, Cowles Agency. (May)