Review: Bumpology The myth-busting pregnancy book for curious parents-to-be by Linda Geddes

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

How much alcohol is really safe in pregnancy?
Why do humans find giving birth so difficult?
Can my baby dream?
Does becoming a parent change your brain?
Why do newborns smell so good?
Will the shape of my bump tell me the sex of my child?
Can eating curry really trigger labour?
From the moment she discovers she's pregnant, every woman becomes obsessed with the life that's developing inside her. Linda Geddes was no different, except that as a journalist writing for New Scientist, she had access to the most up-to-date scientific research. What began as a personal quest to find the truth behind headlines and information that didn't patronise or confuse became a weekly column and is now this brilliant new book.Bumpology has the answers to anything you've ever wondered about having a baby - from your first pregnancy symptoms to your pregnancy diet, the right birth plan and the baby's first year - and it is packed with astonishing nuggets to enliven any post-natal coffee-morning. A fascinating companion for every expectant mother and father.

MY TAKE:
There's a lot of misinformation on the web masquerading as fact. That's where this book comes in.

Bumpology is a collection of questions and answers about some topics that moms-to-be and dads-to-be wonder about.

The thing that makes this more trustworthy for me than most of the info available today is the fact that the answers usually cite scientific studies, sometimes even several scientific studies in one entry.

I'm aware that some sources out there can twist facts or cite bogus sources. However, based on what I learned from a couple of years of medical school, as well as some of my occasional browsing of materials discussing online journals, I can say that majority, if not all, of the material here is reasonably accurate.

The book covers everything from the pregnancy period, childbirth, and the baby. It even talks about topics related to having another child. I wasn't too sure if I liked that or not. I felt that the other stuff took away the focus from the actual pregnancy topics, which I was more interested in, and I felt that there weren't enough of the pregnancy topics. However, the other questions and answers will come in handy later on, thus extending the book's shelf life.

I liked the book a lot, and I enjoyed the conversational tone of the entries, although I would have liked it more if there had been images, drawings or more color in the book to break the monotony.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam Press for the e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. It covers everything from pregnancy to the baby's first year or so.
2. It discusses different questions that women and men wonder about pregnancy and babies.
3. You don't have to be a parent-to-be to appreciate the book.

THE BAD:

1. The lack of images may make it seem monotonous.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

One of the most exciting moments of pregnancy is when your doctor holds a Doppler probe to your belly and you hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time.

READ IT IF:

1. You're a mom-to-be or a dad-to-be.
2. You know someone who is pregnant.
3. You want to know more about pregnancy and babies.

RATING:


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