9 Months: The Essential Australian Guide to Pregnancy

by Ruby Matley

Can I still dye my hair? Is it safe to sleep on my back? Why is my friend's bump bigger than mine? Can I eat soft cheese? How do I know my waters have broken? What is colostrum anyway?Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in a woman's life. It can also be one of the most confusing, thanks to rapidly evolving science and the sheer amount of information (true, false and otherwise) now available via the internet.Into this fray comes 9 Months , written by an Australian country obstetrician and father, Dr David Addenbrooke, who in his daily practice sees women of all ages with widely varying conditions, and a health scientist and mother, Ruby Matley. They combine forces to provide clear, compassionate and up-to-the-minute advice for soon-to-be mums and dads.You will What is going on in each trimester, for both you and your baby.- All you need to know about screening, ultrasounds and tests in pregnancy, and your options for labour and birth.- How to cope with common symptoms, from nausea and fatigue to heartburn and back pain.- 40 recipes for ensuring optimum health for both you and your baby, plus the lowdown on which foods are in and which are out.- Reassuring information on weight gain, dealing with mood swings, connecting with your partner and bonding with your bump.- Practical tips for buying maternity clothes, preparing the nursery, budgeting for a baby and packing the hospital bag.Easy to use and comprehensive, 9 Months is a complete guide for Australian women wanting the latest advice from a medical expert as well as practical reassurance and emotional support during the sometimes scary, but often wondrous, months of pregnancy.

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2019

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful pregnancy book. I wanted something up to date and Australian based, and this book delivered. Great information that goes into good detail without being overwhelming. Highly recommend.

[Nourhan Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book throughout my 1st pregnancy. It was very helpful and straight to the point.

It is divided into 5 sections, 3 for preparing you for each trimester in terms of symptoms and tests, etc.. 1 for after birth, and 1 for some yummy recipes (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) 😋

It was funny because each time I went to the obgyn, she would ask if I had any questions? But I already knew everything from this book and was prepared for the journey!😁😁

[Jasper Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

First two trimesters were shared fairly equally between mother and doctor. As soon as it came to birth, the doctor took the reigns and the mother didn’t get a word in. Doctor very defensive of all decisions made in hospitals…

[Hayley Forrest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't actually finish this, but I'm not going to read any more. The first and second trimesters were easy to read. It kind of lost me in the third trimester - a bit too focused on what could go wrong maybe. Plus when the OB author suggested that the cascade of interventions was not real I kind of lost a bit of faith in him. Could be good to read very much in advance of the third trimester, but I wouldn't recommend it when you're trying to preserve a good headspace.

[Alejandro Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a first time dad living in Australia. This book was absolutely fantastic. I read it slowly as the pregnancy passed, to avoid being overwhelmed. All the information I needed to understand the pregnancy was there in a simple way. I loved the section "what I'm really thinking" because it showed me what my wife was thinking. I felt I was an important part of it and that I was able to share and even support her because I knew what to expect, options and the terminologies, all Australia focused. I have actually suggested this book to a couple of my friends. Thank you very much for this book!

[Madeline Khu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm generally hesitant to rate books like these but I found this quite helpful, and it's my second pregnancy! I love that it is also Australian because the systems are so different between countries. It is geared a bit more towards birthing in hospital, but isn't discouraging of other choices and doesn't feel like it is judgemental.

[Rhiannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book with real insights and experiences of women around the country
I'm glad I read it before necessary as it had info on planning stages and what to expect. Absolutely loved the up-to-date knowledge of testing and monitoring which older books are lacking.

[SamBam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and accessible information that paints an honest, balanced picture without judgement or fear-mongering. Highly recommend this to any first timers and partners who have questions but aren't sure what their questions are.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very informative and I like that's it's Australian and current. It's also great to have the information from an obstetrician with the point of view of a mum.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic and so helpful. Would highly recommend. And it's Aussie!

[trammartin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books about pregnancy and beyond.