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Sister Lilian s Pregnancy & Birth Companion contains everything a couple needs to prepare for pregnancy and the birth of their baby.
I wish this fantastic book had crossed my desk earlier in my pregnancy.
Written by a qualified and highly experienced midwife, with a local focus, it contains everything a couple needs to prepare for pregnancy and the birth of their baby. It is packed with sound, practical information for first-time moms who can easily feel overwhelmed.
I enjoyed her no-nonsense approach to pregnancy.
What really stood out for me was the section on tissue salt therapy. When headaches or cramps strike a pregnant woman, there is nothing she can take for the pain other than a couple of Panados. And as someone who suffers from migraines, I can attest that they don’t even touch sides.
Sister Lilian has included a comprehensive list of tissue salts that can be taken for a range of ailments, from constipation and acne to baby hiccups and nausea.
Another nifty section relates to pregnancy myths. The second that her baby bump starts to show, a pregnant woman is likely to find herself accosted by well-meaning people wanting to impart their pregnancy “knowledge”.
This often includes old-fashioned warnings – putting your arms above your head will tangle or knot the baby’s umbilical cord and drinking too much coffee will give your baby light-brown birthmarks.
And then of course there are the many myths about your baby’s gender. If you crave salty foods it must be a boy, and if you have bad morning sickness then it’s likely to be a girl.
Sister Lilian debunks these myths with researched, factual information.
The book includes a break-down of the trimesters, with information about what mom will feeling and a “window to the womb” look at baby’s development. She looks at common pregnancy complaints and aches, but also pays attention to the emotional well-being of both parents.
There is practical information about birth and the various delivery options, including tips about birth plans and what to pack for the hospital.
Also useful is the section on what to buy for baby’s nursery. As anyone who has braved the gauntlet of a baby show will know, pregnant women are a marketer’s dream. With Sister Lilian’s shopping guide, it will be easier to negotiate the minefield of baby products and gadgets on offer.
The book does not end with the birth and there is a chapter dedicated to post-natal care for mom and tips for coping with baby in the first few weeks.
The directory of services, which includes contact details for organisations dealing with post-natal depression and multiple birth, is a handy extra. A longer list can be found on the website, www.sisterlilian.co.za.
Sister Lilian’s “complete South African guide” has gone straight to the top of the weighty pile of pregnancy books next to my bed. And even though I only have six weeks to go, I have no doubt that I will be turning to Sister Lilian often in the next few weeks for some of her sensible and reliable advice.
Sister Lilian’s Pregnancy & Birth Companion is published by Human & Rousseau. - The Star
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