Healthy Parents, Better Babies: A Couple's Guide to Natural Preconception Health Care

by Francesca Naish, Janette Roberts

Book by Naish, Francesca, Roberts, Janette

376 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1999

Reviews

[Kelly Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is definitely thorough! Almost to a fault. By the middle of the book, I was feeling pretty discouraged that I'd never be able to make all the changes necessary to increase our chances for a healthy conception, pregnancy, and child. I had to remind myself that you just do what you can, and that's all you can expect from yourself. (I really wish the authors had tempered their massive amounts of information with sentiments like that.)

If you read this, I would recommend reminding yourself that you don't have to do everything in the book. For example, they recommend starting your preconception health care plan 4 months before you start trying, but I've read lots of other places that 3 months is reasonable. I think the reason they say 4 months in this book is that sperm can take *up to* 116 days to form, which is almost 4 months. But we've decided to split the difference and start about 110 days before.

This book has tons of information about what kinds of nutrients you need, things to avoid (alcohol, smoking, caffeine, etc), reducing your exposure to toxic metals and chemicals, getting fit, and reducing your stress level. It's a very thorough resource, but read it a little at a time so you're not overwhelmed!

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I confess, this is not a fair review because I couldn't bring myself to finish the book. Early on, the authors made some unsupported assertions and made some tenuous links that seemed to reflect a lack of objectivity on their parts. They seemed bent on stirring up drama and fear rather than calmly and objectively educating parents-to-be. I found this very irritating, and as I had already read a couple of good books on similar topics (The Prenatal Prescription was excellent, & though not as detailed, I found The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating During Pregnancy very practical), I returned this one unfinished to the library. I'm sure it did contain some good information, I just didn't like having to filter it from the drama.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of information in it about natural ways to stay healthy. I just wish I could find a copy that didn't cost at least $60 to buy. At least I found a copy to read for my class. Some of their advice as far as diet and getting the proper nutrients does seem a little impossible to achieve though.