The Complete Organic Pregnancy: A book review |
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| By Rebecca Carter in Book Reviews | November 10, 2006 | |
I recently finished reading The Complete Organic Pregnancy by Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu so that I could tell you Groovy readers whether you should read it or not. Well, you should. A mix of personal stories with practical advice, this book will help you achieve what it says – the complete organic pregnancy – if you so desire.
Though a great book for pregnant women, it’s even better for women just starting to think about motherhood. The book starts from the beginning. Not at conception but much before it. This book will help you get your home, office and body in shape before the baby is even a twinkle in your eye.
This book will help you get your home, office and body in shape before the baby is even a twinkle in your eye. 
That is because, of course, any remodeling should be done before-hand.Dolan & Zissu’s book doesn’t read at all like a boring textbook; it’s more like receiving well-researched advice from your girlfriend. I do have to provide a warning, though. You must be mentally prepared to read it. Like reading about where your food comes from, you are going to learn about what’s toxic in your surroundings. It might freak you out – it did me. But, as the girls explain, do what you can. Something is better than nothing. And, just like so many things, ignorance does not mean bliss.
The Complete Organic Pregnancy covers everything from food to home environment to beauty. In addition to being an ‘organic’ resource, the book gives great pregnancy tips in general. Personal stories from not just the authors but from many women (and some men) put my mind at ease – that I wasn’t the only one thinking and feeling some of these things.
As I read the book I found some things I’m already doing, such as no caffeine, and using very few packaged foods. Then there were other things that are so easy I should be doing. For instance, when I started reading the book I was wearing nail polish – just the regular (toxic) kind. It didn’t take long for me to feel like that polish was choking me! Finally, there are some things that would be ideal, but would take a lot more effort on my part to do. I’m concerned about being indoors so much, inhaling (toxic?) fumes from my office chair, bed, sofa, and keeping the windows shut and the A/C for months at a time because of the hot Florida weather.
I’m also more convinced of certain things now. I’ve read some talk of plastics being toxic, and contrary opinions, saying it is an urban legend. Now I’m leaning towards believing that is an issue with at least two sides – and no one “official” has come out with a good response either way. I think now I’m going to err of the side of caution. And when it comes to using baby bottles, I think we’ll try to go with shatterproof glass.
The girls also helped me realize that I don’t want my birth to be like my wedding. (The wedding was great, but also a stressful, highly planned event.) We’ll see how this one goes in practice, when the time comes.
It’s nice to hear stories of moms who wanted to do it all – cloth diapers, homemade baby food, and more – but found that it’s realistic to make exceptions when need be. The story of a road-tripping new family and a trunk full of 2 weeks of dirty cloth diapers was a good one. It could convince anyone to keep a couple of disposables on hand along with a few jars of Gerbers for those extra busy days.
Along with the stories and advice, the authors provide readers with websites for everything under the sun, from meat to paint, and from organic bedding to beauty products. Basically, most of the research has been done for you. Check out the book, it’s a good read. I only hope that when my day comes, I can accomplish a portion of what’s outlined in the book. One thing is for sure, to do this right, it’s going to take a lot of work…and buy-in from both future parents.
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