Product Description
The rate of c-section births has risen dramatically in the United States, accounting for more than twenty-four percent of deliveries in 2001. Yet there is no up-to-date book on the market dedicated to undergoing and recovering from the most commonly performed surgery in the U.S. Now two veteran journalists in health, parenting, and fitness have teamed up to create a candid and carefully researched guide for the nearly one million mothers facing or recovering from a cesarean. Covering both the physical and emotional aspects of this surgery, The Essential C-Section Guide offers frank discussions of the special circumstances a C-section delivery presents. Readers will discover a host of important facts, ranging from the effects of a C-section on future deliveries to the risks of anesthesia. The authors also share comforting wisdom about the feelings of inadequacy a C-section can cause and tips on caring for an infant while healing from this major procedure. The latest recommendations regarding exercise, pain, and nursing are addressed in-depth as well.Written by authors who have firsthand knowledge of C-section delivery, The Essential C-Section Guide provides thorough answers to the many overwhelming questions associated with cesareans. Informative and supportive, this is reassuring reading for every expectant mother.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 24 reviews)

great book - speeded up my recovery! I wish I had it with my previous c-section

5 Stars
August 17, 2009
Just few points I found very helpful: 1. This book helped me make informed decisions before, during and after c-section, with regard to medication, medical procedures, daily routine etc. For example, nurses in the hospital would offer me pain medication without explaining which medication is stronger, and pros and cons. With the help of the book I knew what to choose. 2. With a lot of helpful tips from the authors who had c-section themselves I was able to speed up the process of recovery, when compared to my previous two c-sections. I also had less pain and used weaker pain medication. 3. My husband knew exactly how to make me feel better thanks to a chapter in the book that gives very helpful hints to men. 4. If not the book I would not have known I could start workout from the very first day after delivery, starting with breathing exercises and kegels on day one and switching to light abdominal exercises on day four. Two weeks after delivery my tummy felt much smaller and stronger. 5. Managing pain: Most of the time I knew the cause of pain thanks to extensive explanations in the book. That helped me control the pain without resorting to strong medication. There is more to this book and I recommend it to everyone who plans a c-section.

not even worth reading by Bridget (Santa Fe, NM)

1 Stars
February 12, 2009
Don't buy this book unless you have nothing else to do. There is no insight that you can't easily find on the internet or get from your doctor. Im my opinion this book is written by people who like to hear them selves talk and talk and talk. A great deal of the questions most of us have are also up to the hospital that you will be having you c-section at so this book can only tell you what it has experience with and that's not much.

Good book, but not completely unbiased by Kellie Loscavio

3 Stars
June 05, 2008
This book had many helpful tips for being prepared for my c-section and claimed to be unbiased on the subject of elective c-sections. However the more that I read, the more that I got heated because the author repeatedly kept saying "in efforts to avoid labor pain" when referring to an elective c-section. Avoiding labor pain had nothing to do with my decision to have a c-section so I felt a little insulted by this book at times. That being said, I do think I took away many good tips to help with a speedier recovery time.

Great Information by D. Fox (California)

5 Stars
March 30, 2008
I had an unplanned c-section for my first child. This book gave me the information I needed to understand what happened the first time and why my doctor reccommended a planned c-section for my second child. This book gave me the information to ask the right questions and make an informed decision about my body and the welfare of my child. I think natural child birth classes gloss over this information and if a c-section becomes necessary, many women are ill informed to make the necessary decisions.

Highly Recommended Book by S. Benestad (Chicago,IL)

4 Stars
January 31, 2008
This book has great information for anyone who has had a c-section or is going to have one. I would even recommend any pregnant woman to check this book out just in case she ends up having a c-section. I just had my first baby, my pregnancy was healthy and I had no problems yet I had to have a c-section done at the last minute. Having the information in this book days after my c-section instead of weeks would have been much better. It's informative and lets you realize your not alone. This is a very good book.

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