The New Rules of Pregnancy: What to Eat, Do, Think About, and Let Go Of While Your Body Is Making a Baby

by Winky Lewis, Jaqueline Worth, Danielle Claro

2019 National Parenting Product Award (NAPPA) Winner Finally, a calming pregnancy book that cuts through the noise to tell expectant mothers exactly what they need to know--and what they can stop obsessing about and over-researching. In The New Rules of Pregnancy, two leading OB-GYNs guide you, the modern pregnant woman, through all aspects of pregnant life in an easy-to-digest, compassionate, and motivating way. Instead of a detailed week-by-week look at your baby's development, it's all about you, and how to help your pregnancy go as smoothly as possible. It assumes an intelligent, busy reader (who, somewhere inside, is shouting, "Just tell me what to do!"). Every aspect of pregnant life is covered--from the practical details (how to fly pregnant) to the complex issues ("What makes it postpartum depression?"). The book also covers that critical "fourth trimester"--"Nursing" and "How to Feel Like Yourself Again"--because once the baby is born, self-care typically goes out the window, and you really need someone to have your back. Its strong point of view and expertise come from gynecologist Adrienne Simone and obstetrician Jaqueline Worth--two renowned New York doctors dedicated to bringing patients the safest, calmest, least invasive pregnancies possible. The book's voice--motivating, supportive, real--comes from Danielle Claro, coauthor of The New Health Rules.(Pregnancy Books, Mom to Be Gifts, Newborn Books, Birthing Books)

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Health, Audiobook, Adult

257 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2019

Reviews

[ElphaReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The info gathering re: pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum continues, and this time I read THE NEW RULES OF PREGNANCY by Adrienne L. Simone, Jacqueline Worth, and Danielle Claro. I would say that if you want basic, distilled down information that's separated out into various sections, this would be a good book to have. It definitely makes things easy to digest and to the point, and has some lovely photographs to give a calming feel to the book. That said, the information isn't really new, as it does have a lot of the same advice and guidelines you will find in most pregnancy books. I also think that if you want more details and deep dives, you won't be satisfied with this book. In fact, I'd absolutely recommend you use it as an easy to access summation, but not the only information you use during your pregnancy.

[Tharini · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much overwhelming information out there, and I found that this book was very concise in its approach. (It gives you the room to go look up more information if you want it.)

[S · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book started off on the wrong foot by being about the new "rules" of pregnancy. At some point OBs who go to the trouble of writing a book and asserting personal coolness need to get a clue that paternalism is very 1955, not 2019. Birthing people do not need "rules"; they need support, maybe even guidance; options; and a listening ear. Some good info, but nothing you couldn't find online or through your favorite doula, birth podcast, etc.

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, it wasn't bad! But this book reads and presents more like a coffee table book on pregnancy than a systematically laid out, easily searchable guide. There's no concordance for goodness sake! While the content is sound, informative and helpful, I've seen it all before in other books that I could actually find the page I wanted to far easier, and find more information. 2.5 stars

[Chrisanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slightly condescending.

Someone once wrote of Americans that "You can't just tell them to do something. You have to explain to them 'why' they should do something and then they will do it. "

Not sure that's valid and not sure that's an author I even respect (obviously, if I don't remember who said it it says something). But it's become true of me in most situations.

And yes, I read a lot of hippie books. But I also work in the medical field. So I know that sometimes you should ask WHY. * So I found that these authors came off as condescending and rather unimpressed with the intelligence of their readers.

And, apart from advice on Yoga and getting a doula (so long as she doesn't interfere with your dr or hospital procedure-- so specifically specified), it wasn't that new of advice. And, I'm not sure the point of a "gentle c-section. If the baby and mother are both healthy enough to merit a "gentle c-section" why have one in the first place?

The photos were lovely though.


* For example, they said please don't eat the placenta. I'm fine with that. Seems a little overboard to me. However, their reasoning, that it's organ meat and therefore full of toxins, wasn't supported by stats or studies in the text. Plus, I have had Drs tell me to eat organ meat(liver, specifically. So gross). So more clarification is needed.

[empressofeverything · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read several pregnancy books over the years, for school or doula training, and this is one of the shallowest I've encountered. It is very...Instagram perfect. Lots of beautiful pictures, okay advice, and a lingering sense of condescending head-patting couched in "we know better than you ever could, you silly pregnant woman". I really didn't like it, but that might be because I know more about pregnancy and birth than my peers might. So it could be good for someone who doesn't know anything, but for me it was a huge miss.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOT PREGNANT, JUST LEARNING.

This was GREAT. Bite-sized info accompanied by peaceful imagery—a little bit of calm in what I’m sure is a time of anything but.

[Kim E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy and to the point.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this book, specifically the nutrition, made me feel like a terrible pregnant woman. The rest of the book didn’t really have any new info. I would say if you already know the basics, you can skip this.

[Leticia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this would be a good book to read before you get pregnant, or another one of those short reads for dads-to-be. It's definitely not enough info to be the only book you read during pregnancy. I understand that books like this are trying not to overwhelm moms with information, but the truth is there's an overwhelming amount of info moms need to know when you get pregnant, that's just how it is, and that's why most pregnancy books are bricks. I appreciate how straightforward this book is, and it lands right in the middle of "natural" and "medical" advice.

[Cas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book and easy to read. I feel like there's too much unnecessary information out there for moms-to-be that only fosters an atmosphere of anxiety and fear when none is warranted. This book was good at getting straight to the point and giving you the info that you actually need to be concerned about. While I agree with some other reviewers that the information in this book isn't earth shattering news, it's nice to have it all in one place without the worry of finding the false and misleading information widely available online.

[Giselle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a good book for someone really trying to learn about the pregnancy journey. The title/cover seemed so promising but it was like “pregnancy for dummies.” It also read as very biased from an OB POV, instead of offering a more holistic understanding of options/decisions, advice and experiences. I recommend you skip it if you’re pregnant and / or have some foundation of knowledge about pregnancy.

[Emily Trettel · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Not pregnant). This book is about 60% negative space and glossy photos. The rest is pretty ordinary “no sushi, cat box, soft cheese, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, CBD, stress or getting fat” with a dash of “remember, only your doctor cares about your baby’s safety and may be annoyed by your birth plan.”

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twas ok, and felt nice to read as a first time mom. With the appeal of peaceful reading. It is more of a ascetically pretty and light reading pregnancy book, which can be helpful in that first trimester when everything feels overwhelming. If you what an actual factual book I would recommend something more relevant than something just nice to look at on your nightstand. Emily Oster's Expecting Better was a better read for this. Also in this book The New Rules of Pregnancy, she says that a first time mother should not have a home birth, and I completely disagree. Emily Oster's perspective on this was much more factual.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this book. Much of it was full of helpful reminders for me as a second time mom with a big time gap since my first pregnancy. However, it seemed like conflicting advice to only ingest the healthiest foods and also voluntarily take harmful substances (vaccines) into your body, especially at a time when the baby’s development is so fragile. I also really didn’t like their advice that when making a birth plan, to leave out any medical preferences unless you yourself happen to also be an OB. Makes me so thankful to have a levelheaded, respectful OB in real life that I can go to for advice.

[Lynnaea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was... fine. It's some simple and concise information that is presented clearly alongside beautiful images. I read this without ever having experienced pregnancy and I learned a bit but not much that I didn't know just from simply having friends who've had babies. Personally, this book would not be sufficient for me if I was pregnant, but I think if someone is very resistant to reading a baby book (or is a partner who wants some sense about pregnancy advise) this would be a good fit. It is seriously a gorgeous book!

3/5

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on the byline “what to… think about, and let go of”, I was hoping for something maybe a bit more philosophical about mindset during pregnancy. If that’s also what you’re after, I’d recommend looking for books written by Doulas. The information here isn’t really new (eat well, gently exercise, try not to stress, know your options) and in some places it came across a little judgemental. Ok for a condensed, easy to digest, intro to pregnancy topics but it is neither informative nor supportive enough to be any more than that.

[Alia Alsaif · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really easy read, but not ground-breaking “new” information as the title suggests. This book is also written in a very medical-intervention way, with very brief (and discouraging) mentions of natural and home births (this book actually discourages home births explicitly—big thumbs down). “Trust your body, but don’t trust it when it comes time for birth)
The information is written really simple and easy to understand and digest. But isn’t very inclusive to nontraditional birth methods. I like the style this was written and the photos, but I really wish there was more inclusivity and encouragement about natural births.

[Genia Albre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good for those who want to know about pregnancy in general without going too deep about EVERYTHING week-over-week.
I found it to be a good guide about things that normally people who weren't pregnant don't know about. Maybe for those who read "real" books that are more encyclopedic, this book isn't deep enough, but I found it quite jaw-dropping.

The only time it made me laugh when the author told something like "if you are vegan by choice, try to incorporate eggs into your diet".

[Marsha Compton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. As others have said it's more at a top level summary vs in depth tips. It's not overwhelming and serves more of an introduction or reminder for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum information. Like talking to a supportive friend over coffee that's already been there. I liked the photos throughout the book as they were sweet and offered a visual break and help you look forward to future moments.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. I liked that it was concise, and I liked that it was pretty high level. I needed that right now because I just found out I'm pregnant and I'm in over-consumption mode of all information. This book helped me feel like I had a good overview of what's coming in the next several months without overwhelming me or taking too long to read.

[Grace Hilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how concise this book is. I wish it had been the first book I picked up after the test showed positive. It's a little more conventional than most of the books I've read, so some things I will still be following a more natural way, but this covered everything you must know in about an hour's worth of reading. I'll recommend to any friends who get pregnant with their first baby.

[Victoria Su · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very succinct and easy to flip through, a nice summary of the important points without having to sift through tons of variable scenarios. That said, I may not have found it detailed enough had I not already read a ton of other material throughout my pregnancy. I would recommend this as a crash course kind of book to read before diving deeper.

[Elizabeth Zupke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this practical look at pregnancy and postpartum. There are a few exercises that I have been implementing into my daily routines this pregnancy. These stretches have been super strengthening for my lower back. I also loved the simple layout of the book. It is a quick read but one I'm going to return to over and over again

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for first time moms written by female doctors. It’s laid out in a concise, easy to understand way with good information and sage advice. I have a lot of book marks and dog ears to refer back to as things move along.

[Tori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always find it hard to trust anything someone says when there's one thing that is completely false. In this book, it was the recommendation to avoid soft cheeses the entire time you are breastfeeding that made me question everything.

[Hannah Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much more useful in my very inexperienced opinion than “What to Expect” etc which I DNF. I felt like it covered everything I wondered about and nothing I didn’t in, just enough detail to get me started. The information was bite size and practical.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Start here! A quick guide to pregnancy that tells you what you want to know without overwhelming with too much information. As some other reviews have stated, it gives you the basics and you can then go research or talk to your care provider if you want more detail on certain topics.

[Rachel Burgei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a broad, sweeping overview of every stage of the pregnancy journey, including a little postpartum coverage. I think it’s a great jumping off point to seek out more information through further books and podcasts. Overall I thought it was an enjoyable and informative read.

[Trevor Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy to understand and digest book about the whole pregnancy process. It is accessible and paints a very clear picture of the important parts of pregnancy. I found this to be a helpful roadmap.