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Making Babies: The Science of Pregnancy
Drawing on past speculation and present knowledge, reproductive biologist David Bainbridge conducts us through the forty weeks of a human pregnancy, from conception to breastfeeding, explaining the complex biology behind human gestation in a clear and unassuming manner. Making Babies sets the latest findings in pregnancy biology in a challenging evolutionary, historical, and sociological context, proving that when it comes to drama, pregnancy has it sibling rivalry, a battle of the sexes, and a crisis of gender identity. Along the way, Bainbridge revisits some of the key puzzles about What's sex got to do with it? How does the fetus hijack its mother's immune system? What is the point, if any, of morning sickness? Just how does a fertilized ovum develop into eight pounds or so of baby, with ten fingers and ten toes? Does the baby or the mother control the onset of labor, and why is it such an ordeal for them both? Entertaining and informative, Making Babies shows how the study of human pregnancy can help us understand our genesis as individuals and our evolution as a species, and provide insight into who we are and why we behave as we do.
- GenresNonfictionScienceBiology
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 1, 2017
I liked this book. Much more focused on the biological processes than the usual advice about managing symptoms etc.
Those cautions that Bainbridge did give were refreshingly scientifically grounded and substantiated, instead of the usual "this can harm your baby in some unspecified way so justbdon't do it."
Those cautions that Bainbridge did give were refreshingly scientifically grounded and substantiated, instead of the usual "this can harm your baby in some unspecified way so justbdon't do it."
August 4, 2015
One of the blurbs on the cover bills this as a sort of "detective mystery" that the author pursues in unraveling the biology of his own kid's fetal development. That blurb is sorely mistaken. I think the author mentions his own kid maybe twice. This book is heavy on the history of the science of embryology, which is interesting, but not really what I was after, as an expectant parent.
There is, however, a very memorable explanation about the mechanics of the circulatory system. In utero, the fetus get all of its oxygen through the placenta, so there's a valve within the heart leaving the arterial connections to the lungs "open"--because the fetus doesn't need the lungs for oxygen. But the moment a baby emerges from the womb into the air and sucks in that first breath, the valve closes, sealing the circulatory system, and diverting blood into the lungs for oxygenation. Just one of many, many things about being born that is pretty darn traumatic. But also amazing!
But if you're looking for a good book on the science of your fetus's development, this likely isn't what you want. In part because the focus is really about all mammals, not just humans, and in part because the genetic science is simply out of date.
There is, however, a very memorable explanation about the mechanics of the circulatory system. In utero, the fetus get all of its oxygen through the placenta, so there's a valve within the heart leaving the arterial connections to the lungs "open"--because the fetus doesn't need the lungs for oxygen. But the moment a baby emerges from the womb into the air and sucks in that first breath, the valve closes, sealing the circulatory system, and diverting blood into the lungs for oxygenation. Just one of many, many things about being born that is pretty darn traumatic. But also amazing!
But if you're looking for a good book on the science of your fetus's development, this likely isn't what you want. In part because the focus is really about all mammals, not just humans, and in part because the genetic science is simply out of date.
June 21, 2023
one of the coolest non-fiction books i have ever read
August 23, 2009
When I heard we were expecting, I began to look for a book about pregnancy and childbirth, but from a scientific perspective, rather than a touchy-feely this-is-what-you-will-be-feeling perspective. I didn't want to know how I'd be feeling, I wanted to know what was HAPPENING.
Making Babies seemed like just the ticket, and I was not much disappointed. Written by an Oxford biologist (and father) the book catalogs the sequence of miracles -- evolutionary and developmental -- that are requisite for every successful birth, starting from the start of sexual maturity in the woman (what ARE periods anyway, and why do women work that way?) through ovulation and fertilization through to labor and birth.
The unique perspective Bainbridge brings is of course that of the scientist, and the cataloging of reproductive mechanisms is augmented by examples, both comparative and contrasting, from three general sources: the rest of the animal kingdom (how does the fertility cycle differ between humans and deer?), our own evolutionary history (how did labor and delivery change when our ancestors became bipeds?) and past (and misguided) scientific theory (how did the thinkers of the Renaissance and early Enlightenment believe childbirth worked, and how were they wrong?). These three sources provide a great context in which to understand and appreciate human reproduction. You come to understand not only how it works, but what other ways it COULD work.
The book is moreover, fairly readable (probably helps if it's contents are as relevant to you as they are to me) particularly in the discussions of the early days of ovulation, fertilization and early development -- a lot happens in a very short time! The book slows down a bit in later chapters, and one gets the impression that either the author is less interested in this phase of pregnancy or this phase is simply harder to write about. A long discussion on reproductive immunology is, no doubt, fascinating to an immunologist, but somehow ends up a bit of a yawn, especially after the drama of early early early development.
But our bodies, as the author reminds us, are superbly engineered machines, and while books like "What to Expect" will draw eye-rolls when referring to "your little miracle", "Making Babies" reminds you that, no shit, it IS a fucking miracle. And it gives you the the science to prove it.
Making Babies seemed like just the ticket, and I was not much disappointed. Written by an Oxford biologist (and father) the book catalogs the sequence of miracles -- evolutionary and developmental -- that are requisite for every successful birth, starting from the start of sexual maturity in the woman (what ARE periods anyway, and why do women work that way?) through ovulation and fertilization through to labor and birth.
The unique perspective Bainbridge brings is of course that of the scientist, and the cataloging of reproductive mechanisms is augmented by examples, both comparative and contrasting, from three general sources: the rest of the animal kingdom (how does the fertility cycle differ between humans and deer?), our own evolutionary history (how did labor and delivery change when our ancestors became bipeds?) and past (and misguided) scientific theory (how did the thinkers of the Renaissance and early Enlightenment believe childbirth worked, and how were they wrong?). These three sources provide a great context in which to understand and appreciate human reproduction. You come to understand not only how it works, but what other ways it COULD work.
The book is moreover, fairly readable (probably helps if it's contents are as relevant to you as they are to me) particularly in the discussions of the early days of ovulation, fertilization and early development -- a lot happens in a very short time! The book slows down a bit in later chapters, and one gets the impression that either the author is less interested in this phase of pregnancy or this phase is simply harder to write about. A long discussion on reproductive immunology is, no doubt, fascinating to an immunologist, but somehow ends up a bit of a yawn, especially after the drama of early early early development.
But our bodies, as the author reminds us, are superbly engineered machines, and while books like "What to Expect" will draw eye-rolls when referring to "your little miracle", "Making Babies" reminds you that, no shit, it IS a fucking miracle. And it gives you the the science to prove it.
October 3, 2013
I read a little bit of everything because of my religious studies and philosophy background. That being said, I seldom read biology/science books.
I absolutely adore this book! First of all, it is not easy to have a scholarly or academic perspective of a topic and be able to relay technical content while being personal and emotive: Bainbridge achieves a delightful balance. Secondly, many of us think we know all there is to know about sex, conception, and pregnancy. Yet "Making Babies" relays biological details that astonish and enlighten.
After having read this book I feel that I am more attuned to what truly takes place during conception and birth, and I plan to read other books by Bainbridge because he is both knowledgeable and darn witty!!!
I absolutely adore this book! First of all, it is not easy to have a scholarly or academic perspective of a topic and be able to relay technical content while being personal and emotive: Bainbridge achieves a delightful balance. Secondly, many of us think we know all there is to know about sex, conception, and pregnancy. Yet "Making Babies" relays biological details that astonish and enlighten.
After having read this book I feel that I am more attuned to what truly takes place during conception and birth, and I plan to read other books by Bainbridge because he is both knowledgeable and darn witty!!!
June 15, 2009
Human beings go through multiple sets of kidneys before birth, who'd have known?
I would give four stars for the majority of the book. I only studied animal development in school, so I found human development fascinating! I thought the science was written at a good level, however it probably wouldn't be totally accessible to everyone. My main frustration was the end of the book when the developmental talk ended and the birth/postpartum discussion began. This is primarily due to my own personal opinions on homebirth vs. hospital birth (very much pro-homebirth in most, low-risk situations).
I would give four stars for the majority of the book. I only studied animal development in school, so I found human development fascinating! I thought the science was written at a good level, however it probably wouldn't be totally accessible to everyone. My main frustration was the end of the book when the developmental talk ended and the birth/postpartum discussion began. This is primarily due to my own personal opinions on homebirth vs. hospital birth (very much pro-homebirth in most, low-risk situations).
May 28, 2009
I learned some really fascinating information from this. A LOT I didn't agree with but I could let it go.
A scientific look at pregnancy but written in normal language aka laymens terms...
One thing I do have to say. I hated how he ended, I mean it makes for a fitting ending but he talks about "ectogenesis" I believe, which is to say growing a baby without pregnancy. He says it is not if but when it will happen. And I can tell you right now I hope it does not happen in my lifetime!
A scientific look at pregnancy but written in normal language aka laymens terms...
One thing I do have to say. I hated how he ended, I mean it makes for a fitting ending but he talks about "ectogenesis" I believe, which is to say growing a baby without pregnancy. He says it is not if but when it will happen. And I can tell you right now I hope it does not happen in my lifetime!
September 6, 2012
... The narrative of this book is at times conversational and witty and at times technical and academic. The author seems to be as endeared to humanity as are most scientists. For filler, Bainbridge pads the book with various historical anecdotes, which can be both enlightening and entertaining for those unacquainted some of the outrageous ideas of the scientists of yore.
Read my full review here: http://boldbookworm.com/mb042911.html
~ BB
http://boldbookworm.com
Read my full review here: http://boldbookworm.com/mb042911.html
~ BB
http://boldbookworm.com
January 2, 2013
Really good for someone who has no idea what happens before/during/after pregnancy. Explains scientific theories in an entertaining straight forward way and not full of stupid sentences commonly found in those "so you're having a baby" books. (Although reading those are necessary too) Great for scientists :)
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March 17, 2013One tends to forget that one is reading a science book when reading Making Babies. Bainbridge describes the process of ovulation conception implantation and cell differentiation with a sense of humor almost like a story. I highly recommend to anyone with children with the slightest inkling for science.
February 14, 2008
I'm reading this to understand how the stork drops off the baby, not because I want a baby in the foreseeable future.
August 14, 2010
he rambles and rambles and although the information is interesting, a good editor would have been helpful to the reader.
September 8, 2012
I read this and On Fertile Ground a few years ago at the same time---both really interesting although I tend to mix the two now. Perhaps will reread.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews