9 Months In, 9 Months Out: A Scientist's Tale of Pregnancy and Parenthood

by Vanessa Lobue

Expertise can explain the science of what's happening to a fetus or a baby throughout development, but all the science in the world can't tell you what it feels like to have a the pang of morning sickness, the pain of labor, the excitement of birth, and the joy that comes from seeing your baby's first smile. 9 Months In, 9Months Out explores what we actually experience in the nine months of pregnancy and the nine months that follow.

As a professor of infant and child development, author Vanessa LoBue had certain expectations about how pregnancy and motherhood would go. Experiencing it was a different story. As she learned, the first few months of parenthood are much harder than anyone tells you. Written month-to-month in real time as LoBue proceeded through pregnancy and first-time parenthood, 9 Months In, 9 Months Out integrates science and infant development with the personal journey involved in becoming a parent. LoBue also takes a researcher's lens to issues that are top of mind for new breastfeeding, the sleep training controversy, gender development, the science (or lack thereof) behind the link between vaccinations and autism, and the debate over screen time.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 2019

Reviews

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is 50% a scientific journal article (studies and citations included) and 50% the author's personal accounting of her pregnancy, delivery, and newborn care, which for me, was exactly what I wanted from this book.

I very much empathized with the author who (like me) thought she was ready because she had done the research (sooo much research) only to discover that knowing something is very different than experiencing something (like me). It was very cathartic to know that I wasn't the only mother who entered pregnancy thinking it would be a snap because I had prepared myself so well only to get knocked off my high horse when all the fun pregnancy symptoms actually hit. And hit and hit.

The science was also good (myself coming from a biology degree background). Between my research and the author's, I feel I have a good grasp of the latest research concerning this whole motherhood thing. Whether or not I get to use said research when my little baby is on her fourth twilight feeding, we shall see.

All in all, if you like reading easy-to-digest scientific reviews and like hearing you're not the only one wallowing your way through pregnancy and motherhood, then I highly recommend you read this book.

[Danielle T · Rating 5 out of 5]

About to add the other books I read the last couple months too, but this one I actually DID finish today. After reading The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth, I very much needed an evidence-based, scientific perspective and Dr. LoBuo was exactly what I needed.

Chapters are written contemporaneous to the month they describe, acting as part diary while she goes over research about various topics of development and growth. As someone with a biologist (specifically genetics) background, I really appreciated how she pointed out that sex is determined by multiple factors and reducing it solely to chromosomes is bad biology- we support trans inclusivity here!

I also liked how this book didn't end at birth but continued for the first months of her infant's life, on what happens next AFTER you meet your newly formed person and how they're learning about the world around them. As a scientist, she also thoroughly encourages on-schedule vaccinations which is critical for your child's health.

[Dee Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's a useful PREGNANCY GUIDE (The company offering this info is based in NJ, just like the author of this book! Fun fact!)

9MI,9MO: Interesting idea but in execution...hmm....could have been better.

Dear author: Are you writing as a researcher or recounting first-hand experience as a new Mom?
I know this was supposed to be BOTH.

At times, it reads too clinical. Would have wanted MORE feelings and experience notes.

I don't think Professor Lobue INTEGRATED her clinical knowledge with her experiences as thoroughly as I might have hoped for.

Author teaches over at Rutger's in NJ.

Overall, a great prenatal and postnatal text, but like I said, I would have liked more EXPERIENCE detailed notes. Maybe for your SECOND pregnancy, Vanessa? :P

P.S. I've read this like 5 times. Soooo...it's not without its merits.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing, real look at experiences during and after pregnancy. Good insight into current infant and child psychology though the organization of this data felt more stream of consciousness than particularly well organized. Thank goodness for end of book indexes amirite?

[Victoria Tice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Truly a disappointment. A casual glossover of birth and birth options. Some overgeneralizations regarding harmful industrial birthing practices: episiotomies and epidurals. Was expecting more from a scientist.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to access and simple to understand. Researcher uses her experience as a first time mother as a skeleton to present research addressing the development of the child. Less of a pregnancy book and more early child development which is super important.

[Brittani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great blend of personal and scientific

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the perfect blend of science and personal insight. It’s very accessibly written and a phenomenal read.

[Oleksandra Petrenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide with lots of scientific information.
Quick and great read .