by Penny Simkin, P.T., Janet Whalley, R.N., & Ann Keppler, R.N., M.N. for Great Starts (formerly the Childbirth Education Association of Seattle)

Best Seller

• Over 1 million copies sold.

Comprehensive

• Well organized for easy reading and quick reference.
• More than 45 charts.
• Equal emphasis on pregnancy, labor and birth, and post partum for mother, family & baby.

The Single Best Book

• Given to couples attending childbirth classes at all of the Seattle area hospitals and other hospitals and childbirth education agencies across the USA.

• Numerous obstetrical practices in America give this book to all of their maternity clients during the first trimester of pregnancy.

• Used as a primary textbook for training childbirth educator and doula trainings nationwide, including ICEA, DONA, and CAPPA.

• Lamaze International includes it in their Top 10 List of Best Books for Expectant Parents, saying "Open this book and a cornucopia of information and advice spills forth in well-written text and superbly organized charts, drawings and photographs. Beginning with the reproductive anatomy and physiology and ending with breastfeeding and parenting, the authors address every conceivable topic relating to the childbearing year, including its emotional impact.

499 pages & over 150 illustrations. List price: $15.00.  Meadowbrook Press, Inc. (August 2001), ISBN 0-88166-400-6. Distributed by Simon & Schuster, ISBN: 0-743-21241-X. 12th grade reading level.

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The Simple Guide to Having a Baby.
Available in English or Spanish. (Spanish edition is titled: Guia sencilla para tener un bebe)

by Janet Whalley, RN, Penny Simkin, PT & Ann Keppler, RN,  MN for Great Starts

Easy to Read

• 6th grade reading level
• Will appeal to readers who seek only the basics, or are less skilled readers
• Covers all the vital information about pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn
• Same great quality as PCN book, but easier to read

English: 266 pages. List price: $12.00  Meadowbrook Press, Inc. (May 2005), ISBN 0-88166-482-0. Distributed by Simon & Schuster, ISBN: 0-684-03129-9.

Spanish: 282 pages. List price: $20.00. Libreria Norma, 2007. Great Starts is the sole distributor for this book in the United States.

"A supportive and easily readable guide". A review by Barbara Hotelling, BSN, LCCE, CD (DONA) in Birth, December 2005 says "The Simple Guide To Having A Baby is shorter than their previous books, and will be accessible to more readers due to its lower literacy level. Drawings are included where needed to promote better learning, and boxed lists make crucial information easy to find. Although this book is ‘‘simple,’’ it is a comprehensive guide through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for both parents. … the information [is] balanced, affirming of normal birth, and empowering. The Simple Guide … is priced reasonably, easy to read, explains medical jargon, and includes illustrations, adding to an understanding of the body’s wonderful abilities to give birth."

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Contents: Topics Covered in Both Books

• Physical and emotional changes in pregnancy

• Prenatal care, prenatal complications, planning for birth

• Exercise, nutrition, and avoiding harmful substances

• Stages of Labor and Birth: What to Expect

• Pain in labor, coping techniques, and pain medication

• Breathing and relaxation techniques, positions for labor

• Variations in labor, interventions, cesarean birth

• Postpartum: physical recovery, emotional adaptation

• Feeding baby (primary focus on breastfeeding)

• Newborn Care

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Having a Baby: Your Personal Workbook

by Janelle Durham, MSW, CD, ICCE, LCCE

This workbook is designed as a companion to the two books written by Great Starts Birth & Family Education. It will guide you in your learning about pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn. It will help you personalize your planning for birth and parenting. Sections include:

• Your Experience: Journal pages offer you a place to reflect on your personal journey, from early pregnancy through the early days of parenting.

• Your Options: Questionnaires help you find out more about the choices available to you, so you can choose the options that best match your needs and values.

• Taking Care of Yourself & Baby: Logs help you to track prenatal visits, exercise, and nutrition. The prenatal care guide focuses on key topics you want to be sure to learn about prior to prenatal appointments, so that you are able to understand what your care provider will discuss with you, and you will be able to ask the questions you have prepared.

• Preparing for Labor: Worksheets guide you in learning about comfort techniques for labor, and in practicing techniques, so that you can learn which may work best for you. Birth planning tools help you to prioritize amongst available options.

• Preparing for Baby: Practical tools assist you in exploring, and planning for, some of the aspects of “real life” with a new baby.

• After the Birth: A Sleep & Activity Chart lets you track your baby’s earliest activities.

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Sample Pages

Sample articles from the books can be found here.

Ordering Information. Both English books are available from bookstores everywhere, or can be ordered from Great Starts, at a discount off the retail price. (Price per copy ranges from $5.25 to $13 per book, or $2.75 to $4.50 for the workbook, depending on the number ordered.) The Spanish Simple Guide, and the workbook are only available through Great Starts. To order, simply fill out the Order Form PDF and mail or fax it in. If you have questions, contact Jamie Newman, 206.233.0156 x221

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