Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year: A Guide to Health and Comfort Before and After Your Baby Is Born

by Elizabeth Noble and Elizabeth Noble

Book Overview

A virtual "bible" for pregnant and postpartum women and their health care providers, this book provides well-illustrated explanations of the key muscles involved in each phase of the childbearing... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0964118319
• ISBN13: 9780964118317
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: New Life Images
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Worth the time to read

After reading some of the negative reviews, I felt compelled to write my own. In my first pregnancy, I did find the book hard to follow in some places (and yes it could be organized better), and I did not use it. Now in my second preganacy, and in hindsight I greatly regret not taking the time to actually read it and use it. I have searched for other books, and have found some that seem better organized, however, all of the other books seem based on MS Noble's but less complete, and do not really promote exercises which will not increase pelvic floor problems. This book is designed to protect the pelvic floor, and repair it (instead of surgery). So no, do not expect to break a sweat or find and intense work out (of which high body temp is bady for baby's brain anyway). If you are looking for something with a 5 second simple sound byte for instructions, this is not the book for you. Such as in life, some of the really good things require thorough explanantion and a bit of your time. Ms. Noble's book was one of the first like it, is still the base reference for most others, and will truly teach you how to protect your abdomen and pelvic floor safely. Unlike some other books, which have exercises that will actually increase abdominal recti seams. So, if after pregancny you do not want a saggy abdomen, a uterus hanging down, and not to pee when you sneeze- this is the book for you.

Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year

I didn't realize that there was a more recent edition of this book until today! I have been reading the 1982 edition in preparation for my third pregnancy. The 1982 edition is wonderful so I am very much looking forward to getting the most recent edition. I saw a reference to the new edition in The Mommy Guide which prompted me to order the new one. In the Mommy Guide the author, Elizabeth Noble, is quoted as saying that abdominal isometric exercise should begin within 24-hours after giving birth in order to take advantage of the short window of time where your muscles in this region are still flexible and you may be able to shorten them. Has anyone tried this? Anyway, it is wonderful to have the insight of a physical therapist when it comes to using your body during pregnancy and postpartum.

Essential Exercises for the Childbearing Year

I have been reading the 1982 version of this book, not realizing there was a new edition. Happily while reading another book, The Mommy Guide, I read an interview with the author of Essential Exercises, Elizabeth Noble, and found out there was a more recent edition. Anyway, in the interview Ms. Noble refers to the importance of doing abdominal isometric exercises within 24-hours of giving birth. She states that the abdominal muscles are still flexible at this point and it's possible to shorten them in order to begin toning your stretched out midsection. Have any of the readers of this book tried this? Does it work? I would love to contact the author regarding this exercise, but the e-mail address listed on this page comes back undeliverable. If you're reading this Elizabeth, could you e-mail me at srdd@hotmail.com? Overall, the 1982 edition is amazingly helpful. It's great to get the advice of a physcial therapist regarding proper movement during pregnancy. I look forward to reading the current edition.

Great exercises and a good start to holistic prenatal care

Elizabeth's book is a classic in the childbirth field. Her book is the sourcebook for prenatal exercises. I also appreciate the introduction to holistic prenatal care that she provides. Hypnosis is highly effective during pregnancy as studies have shown, Her writing on communication with the unborn baby taps into the most modern research on this topic. Elizabeth Noble has her finger on the pulse of what will be really important in prenatal care for the 21st Century. I recommend this book most highly.Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M,D, Ph.D. Medical Director Center for Complementary Medicine University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

A must read for those who interact/instruct pregnant women!

I am a physical therapist who has used this book as a basis for my "Prenatal exercise and Body Mechanics" Class. I have recommended it to my patients and to other professionals who teach prenatal classes. The author adds a unique perspective by inviting women to "think outside of the box" and take responsibility for their bodies before, during and after their pregnancy. The partner exercises are very well received by my patients (our hospital averages 300 births per month). I am also the mother of 21 month old triplets and I used the book as a personal reference and guide throughout my pregnancy. The book helped me to understand and appreciate just how fortunate we are as women to be able to bear children. The author's detailed description about the pelvic floor and the emphasis on the importance of the exercises is information that should be shared with young women BEFORE their pregnancy. I have been surprised by the number of my patients who have never heard of Kegel exercises or who have no idea they have a pelvic floor! A great book to pass along to all women!