The Complete Organic Pregnancy
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Consumer Rating: 
By: Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu
Format: Paperback
From: Collins Living
Pub. Date: August 2006
From: Collins Living
Pub. Date: August 2006
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2006-09-26
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 304
Ean: 9780060887452
Isbn: 0060887451
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2006-09-26
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 304
Ean: 9780060887452
Isbn: 0060887451
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
While being pregnant is thrilling, the responsibility of a growing baby can provoke anxiety about what is and isn't safe. In The Complete Organic Pregnancy, Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu address how you can minimize your exposure to the invisible toxins that surround us—in everything from food, cleaning products, and cosmetics to furniture, rugs, air, and water. Step by step, they tell you where dangerous chemicals are lurking, why it's so important to avoid them when pregnant, and what you can do before, during, and after your pregnancy to protect your child.
In this exhaustively researched book, the authors (calmly) talk parents-to-be through everything from the safest laundry detergent to which crib mattresses contain toxic flame retardants. You'll find out how to choose the right face cream, plastic water bottles, household cleaners, types of fish, and much more—all with an eye toward keeping you and your baby safe and healthy.
The Complete Organic Pregnancy also features a collection of personal diaries from well-known writers and organophiles, including Barbara Kingsolver and Marion Nestle, as well as recipes from organic chefs. Required reading for anyone heading into this exciting stage of life, The Complete Organic Pregnancy is your chance to make a difference for your children, even before they're born.
USER REVIEWS
"I thought this book was too vague. I bought it in search of solid advice but was disappointed. For example, regarding whether or not to get the flu shot. Or for a specific brand for prenatal vitamins. No straight forward answer.
I was behind shocked on pg 228 where they stated that schools do not allow kids that are not vaccinated, nor "most pediatrician." WTF!!!! And that not vaccinating our kids is a public health concern.
And, oh yeah, those personal stories ... not everyone can just put in new floors on a whim t/o their home! Just and idea of the budget one would have to do some of the things mentioned in this book.
If you are already buying mostly/all organics in food and cleaning products, then you will not find much new here. For someone transitioning to this lifestyle, they may get more use out of this book.
I am returning this one!"
~ Written on 2008-08-03
I was behind shocked on pg 228 where they stated that schools do not allow kids that are not vaccinated, nor "most pediatrician." WTF!!!! And that not vaccinating our kids is a public health concern.
And, oh yeah, those personal stories ... not everyone can just put in new floors on a whim t/o their home! Just and idea of the budget one would have to do some of the things mentioned in this book.
If you are already buying mostly/all organics in food and cleaning products, then you will not find much new here. For someone transitioning to this lifestyle, they may get more use out of this book.
I am returning this one!"
~ Written on 2008-08-03
"I was expecting a thorough, fact-ridden book with loads of information about organic produce and products. While there are some helpful charts, such as the Twelve Most Contaminated Non-Organic Fruits and Vegetables, the Best and Worst Fish, or the Hazards of Household Products, I found this book overall to be unfocused and shallow, filled with uncorroborated statements like, "For swollen extremities you might give an herbalist a shot - some of our friends found them helpful." Organic for Dummies would have been a better title for this book.
At times, these writers deviate from their organic focus, giving women generic advice about what to pack for labor or how to eat one-handed when you have a baby in your arms (buy bags of organic nuts or carrots...Come on! Is this advice I need?) Or perhaps my favorite excerpt, if you do drink coffee during pregnancy buy fair-trade coffee because it "helps family farmers in developing countries gain direct access to international markets and allows them to receive fair prices on their products." These writers haven't done enough research to know how pesticides on coffee beans can affect your developing fetus, but they did manage to define Fair Trade about as thorough as my grocery-store coffee kiosk does.
Overall, I found this book to be trite and not well-researched. For anyone who already shops organic and has read informative books, your time would be better spent on the Internet doing your own Google search. Thirty minutes pulled up better research and information.
"
~ Written on 2008-04-16
At times, these writers deviate from their organic focus, giving women generic advice about what to pack for labor or how to eat one-handed when you have a baby in your arms (buy bags of organic nuts or carrots...Come on! Is this advice I need?) Or perhaps my favorite excerpt, if you do drink coffee during pregnancy buy fair-trade coffee because it "helps family farmers in developing countries gain direct access to international markets and allows them to receive fair prices on their products." These writers haven't done enough research to know how pesticides on coffee beans can affect your developing fetus, but they did manage to define Fair Trade about as thorough as my grocery-store coffee kiosk does.
Overall, I found this book to be trite and not well-researched. For anyone who already shops organic and has read informative books, your time would be better spent on the Internet doing your own Google search. Thirty minutes pulled up better research and information.
"
~ Written on 2008-04-16
"Good information here, but it is over-the-top and the tone could be more reasonable. For instance, it says "Some cities, like Portland, Oregon, have designated pesticide-free parks that are worth the trip." Worth the trip?
It also says that you basically need to get rid of all of your beauty products, because they are all toxic. Sorry to be the bearer of good news, but there are women who have worn makeup, had healthy babies, and then lived to be 100. Makeup will not kill you or your baby.
I agree with David Ethan Zoller's review that the book promotes a bit of fear culture. Before reading this book, I was already an organic/vitamins/whole foods/acupuncture/chiropractic type of person, and yet this book has me terrified that everything in my house will kill my baby.
Inhale. Exhale. Remind self that women have been having babies for years, in houses just like mine, and their babies are fine."
~ Written on 2008-03-14
It also says that you basically need to get rid of all of your beauty products, because they are all toxic. Sorry to be the bearer of good news, but there are women who have worn makeup, had healthy babies, and then lived to be 100. Makeup will not kill you or your baby.
I agree with David Ethan Zoller's review that the book promotes a bit of fear culture. Before reading this book, I was already an organic/vitamins/whole foods/acupuncture/chiropractic type of person, and yet this book has me terrified that everything in my house will kill my baby.
Inhale. Exhale. Remind self that women have been having babies for years, in houses just like mine, and their babies are fine."
~ Written on 2008-03-14
"I received the book yesterday and am more than halfway through the book. I was expecting a book with a lot of information on the different kinds of foods and what pollutants are commonly found on them and practical ways to deal with it (in addition to buying organic). And the same for household cleaners and pollutants in the house. I am dissapointed in the book.
I didn't feel I learned anything useful from the personal stories, which are numerous in the book. Also there are alot of "one of my friends" advice, which doesn't seem all that sound. They recommend using chinese herbs a few times, and I dont' know if that is safe. I am chinese and I don't know what is in those herbs and whether they are tested in any way for purity and safety. I am also surprised that in the Omega-3 section they don't mention algae derived DHA pills. DHA is the form of omega-3 that is important for fetal brain development. I'm a vegetarian and the pills are a good alternative to fish as source of DHA since they are mercury free. They do mention flax seed oil as an alternative to fish for Omega-3, but they should know that humans convert only a very small percentage of omega-3 in flax seed oil into DHA, so flax seed is not a good alternative source of DHA. The authors also make it seem like it is difficult to find clean fish pills, but this is not so. My husband buys them from a nutrition chain store found in most malls and he's a toxicologist. I think they should have discussed what questions women should ask when trying to determine if a fish pill is safe. Also what independent testing companies they can contact.
The lack of rigor in this book bothers me, for example, the section on ultrasounds. They mention that there is some "anecdotal debate about their safety". I am willing to bet there is some anecdotal debate about everything under the sun. Do all of them turn out to be true phenomenon? No. Perhaps presenting some research would be helpful instead of just stating this "anecdotal debate" and making people worry. For example is there an increase in probability of miscarriage for women who had ultrasounds at X weeks versus those that didn't? there probably is some research on that from the days when they were first testing ultrasounds for safety.
Perhaps coming from a science research background I was expecting too much. "
~ Written on 2008-03-12
I didn't feel I learned anything useful from the personal stories, which are numerous in the book. Also there are alot of "one of my friends" advice, which doesn't seem all that sound. They recommend using chinese herbs a few times, and I dont' know if that is safe. I am chinese and I don't know what is in those herbs and whether they are tested in any way for purity and safety. I am also surprised that in the Omega-3 section they don't mention algae derived DHA pills. DHA is the form of omega-3 that is important for fetal brain development. I'm a vegetarian and the pills are a good alternative to fish as source of DHA since they are mercury free. They do mention flax seed oil as an alternative to fish for Omega-3, but they should know that humans convert only a very small percentage of omega-3 in flax seed oil into DHA, so flax seed is not a good alternative source of DHA. The authors also make it seem like it is difficult to find clean fish pills, but this is not so. My husband buys them from a nutrition chain store found in most malls and he's a toxicologist. I think they should have discussed what questions women should ask when trying to determine if a fish pill is safe. Also what independent testing companies they can contact.
The lack of rigor in this book bothers me, for example, the section on ultrasounds. They mention that there is some "anecdotal debate about their safety". I am willing to bet there is some anecdotal debate about everything under the sun. Do all of them turn out to be true phenomenon? No. Perhaps presenting some research would be helpful instead of just stating this "anecdotal debate" and making people worry. For example is there an increase in probability of miscarriage for women who had ultrasounds at X weeks versus those that didn't? there probably is some research on that from the days when they were first testing ultrasounds for safety.
Perhaps coming from a science research background I was expecting too much. "
~ Written on 2008-03-12
"This book may scare you a little if you are a worry wort! I think it is wonderful if someone could follow all these steps, but in my world it is nearly impossible! I do like knowing all that I should try to avoid, and going into my second pregnancy now I am being even more careful. There is tons of helpful information, and they help you distinguish all those tricky food labels. I really like the info on cosmetic products, it goes through ingredients and that is really hard to find! Overall, get it, but don't obsess over it!"
~ Written on 2008-02-08
~ Written on 2008-02-08