Having a baby remains one of the great wonders of nature. But sometimes nature needs a helping hand and this publication is a complete companion for parents as they make the intrepid journey through pregnancy.

It features everything you would need and might want to know about the miracle of new life; from planning a family in the first place (if that was the intention) to conceiving, giving birth and receiving the correct antenatal care.

Beautiful photographs and diagrams take you through the pregnancy calendar, giving details on the baby???s physical growth, the changes to your body and the antenatal care needed at each stage.

Stoppard promotes the involvement of fathers in the process, recognising the important part they play. She also gives useful advice for the birth partner, whether the women???s partner, relative or friend.

First published in 1985, this classic has been fully revised and updated here to become an outstanding guide to pregnancy by the authoritative and well-known Dr Miriam Stoppard.

The glossy photographs and excellent illustrations make even the most complex issues easy to digest and understand.

Just about everything to do with any stage of pregnancy is covered in sufficient detail, including pain relief during labour, suggested positions for delivery and natural childbirth.

And it does not shy away from controversial matters: for example it tells you about the effects of drugs on your baby.

There is also a common complaints chapter and a sample birth plan, plus a rights and benefits section in the appendix, which gives details of when benefits can be claimed and offers advice on the information you will need to give to your employer.

Everything is well set out. All the information is in a logical order and easy to access. This book is highly recommended for parents-to-be. --Carole Butterworth

I've read the other reviews on this book and it's obvious that this isn't for everyone. It could be compared to Marmite in fact. You either love it or hate it. I was disappointed to say the least. No humour whatsoever, outdated and a little bossy. I only skimmed through this book and when I got to the part where it was suggested that I should install a sink with running water in the babies room, I decided to just stick to The Rough Guide to Pregnancy and Birth by Kaz Cooke. Far more my style.

and amazingly hirsuit pubic regions! The detail is excellent in this book and presents pregnancy as something to be enjoyed without a patronising tone. The pictures showing the growth of the baby were wonderful milestones to reach and really helped me to bond and envisage our child.

However, the pictures of the two people demonstrating the best positions for sex during pregnancy made me feel more ill than my morning sickness. I think it was the look on the blokes face more than anything else.

On a serious note, it was my "bible" during our pregnancy and I would highly recommend it.

This book is brilliant! It really has some very useful advice for mums (and dads) to be. It is well written and very easy to understand. I use it as a constant reference tool and have done since I was six weeks pregnant. The advice is straightfoward - from planning the pregnancy right through to bring your child up.
There are exercises and breathing techniques as well as dieting and relationship advice - keep up the good work Miriam - this book will never date!!!

I am an English woman who moved to Portugal six months ago and am now 12 weeks pregnant with our first child. Living in a country where the language sounds like Welsh, spoken backwards, by a drunken Frenchman (and having to cut short my Portuguese lessons because of chronic morning sickness which lasts day and night) I was desperate to have some idea of what was going on and asked my mother to send me a book, any book, about pregnancy. I received from her 'The New Pregnancy and Birth Book' and quite honestly was appalled by Stoppard's patronising and utterly turgid tone. It was fisrt written in 1985 and I think sheer laziness and a desire to make money as easily as possible has meant that she never got around to updating it. The pictures remind me of my 1970's copy of 'The Joy of Sex', the information is haphazardly arranged, badly written and aimed at women I would cross the street to avoid. I would rather read nothing than this. Please, please don't contribute any more to Stoppard's profits. There must be something better. And if anyone does know of a light, easily postable book that talks to me as an adult woman capable of making my own decisions please let me know. Thanks.

Any expectant or delivered father will often wonder what is going on and also regularly put their foot in it by not understanding what the mother is going through.
Read this book and you will score brownie points as well as understanding what is going on, even in the delivery process.
One word of advise for delivery as well. Find a comfortable chair!!