The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: How to Stay Sane and Care for Yourself from Pre-conception through Birth, 2nd Edition

The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: How to Stay Sane and Care for Yourself from Pre-conception through Birth, 2nd Edition
by Rachel Pepper

The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: How to Stay Sane and Care for Yourself from Pre-conception through Birth, 2nd Edition
List Price: $17.95
Our Price: $10.50
You Save: $7.45 (42%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $7.80 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


or

Book Summary Information

Author: Rachel Pepper
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-09-23
ISBN: 157344216X
Number of pages: 250
Publisher: Cleis Press

Book Reviews of The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: How to Stay Sane and Care for Yourself from Pre-conception through Birth, 2nd Edition

Book Review: Fresh, timely edition of this indispensable book
Summary: 5 Stars

Hooray! The second edition of this first-of-its-kind book has even more useful information and is totally up-to-date. The best thing about it is still the author's voice, which is strong and supportive -- and funny -- on every page. This book is infused with the wisdom of someone who's been through it all, back when there weren't any books about it, and is eager to shepherd others through the process. Equally encouraging are the many quotes from other dyke mamas (and mamas-to-be) describing their own experiences, from the just- thinking-about-it stage to actually giving birth.

Some questions this book will help you think through: am I (are we) ready for kids? can I do it alone? how to choose a donor? what is it like, trying to get pregnant? what are my options if I don't get pregnant quickly? how will I handle being pregnant? what kind of birth do I hope for? what is it like for the non-bio mom? and what kind of family will we be in those early days?

In each case the author doesn't tell you what to do, but helps you figure out what YOU want to do. She clearly has her own preferences -- unmedicated birth is best; circumcision sucks; breastfeeding rocks! -- but they are carefully argued, pretty persuasive, and the tone is consistently pro-child and pro-women.

Sensibly, Pepper puts the tough stuff up front: the first chapter is about getting yourself as physically, mentally, financially and legally ready to start a family as you can possibly be. Then it's on to getting the goods, finding out what's going on under the hood, and starting the crazy ride on the conception "rollercoaster." The chapter offering Ten Tips to Keep You Sane during this crazy period is worth the price of the book alone!

These early chapters are the most detailed and probably the ones you'll read over and over, but there are also useful roadmaps to each trimester, as well as a helpful section on sexuality and pregnancy, birth options, and the early weeks with your baby. There's also a comprehensive index and a helpful section on extra resources, from lesbian-friendly sperm banks to useful books to dyke-mama blogs.

In a nice touch, the new edition is dedicated not only to "every lesbian dreaming baby dreams" but also "the many dyke daddies and tranny pops out there." Right on.

As a further bonus, the new cover is gorgeous, as is the photo of the author and her now seven year old daughter -- clearly that rollercoaster was worth it! It all adds to the supportive, happy vibe of this indispensable guide to what the author calls "the wacky world of lesbian conception and pregnancy."

Summary of The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: How to Stay Sane and Care for Yourself from Pre-conception through Birth, 2nd Edition

The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians covers everything you need to make the thrilling and challenging journey to motherhood: from choosing a donor to tracking fertility to signing the right papers on the dotted lines. Rachel Pepper's lively, easy-to-read guide is the first place to go for up-to-date information and sage advice on everything from sex in the sixth month to negotiating family roles.

Why a second edition? When the acclaimed first edition appeared, the author's daughter was only a few months old. This new edition takes into account the parenting know-how Pepper has developed over the intervening six years, as well as the evolving legal status of lesbian parents, and the increasing importance of the Internet for information on fertility, sperm banks, and donors. The resource section is greatly expanded, as are the sections on each trimester of pregnancy, on childbirth, and on life with a newborn. And Pepper provides more insight into preconception planning for both single lesbians and couples. An indispensable resource, The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians is now bigger and better.

Parenting & Families Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in Parenting & Families Books
Strong Mothers, Weak Wives: The Search for Gender Equality ImageStrong Mothers, Weak Wives: The Search for Gender Equality
by Miriam M. Johnson
University of California Press; Published: 1990-06-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops: $26.95
Hard Choices: How Women Decide About Work, Career and Motherhood (California Series on Social Choice and Political Economy) ImageHard Choices: How Women Decide About Work, Career and Motherhood (California Series on Social Choice and Political Economy)
by Kathleen Gerson
University of California Press; Published: 1986-03-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $21.95
Price in other shops: $27.95
Mothers-in-Law and Daughters-in-Law: Understanding the Relationship and What Makes Them Friends or Foe ImageMothers-in-Law and Daughters-in-Law: Understanding the Relationship and What Makes Them Friends or Foe
by Deborah M. Merrill
Praeger; Published: 2007-09-30; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $21.58
Price in other shops: $44.95
Mothers ImageMothers
by Jax Peters Lowell
St Martins Pr; Published: 1995-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $4.84
Price in other shops: $22.95
Lesbian Motherhood in Europe Hb (Sexual Politics) ImageLesbian Motherhood in Europe Hb (Sexual Politics)
by Kate Griffin
Cassell; Published: 1997-05; Hardcover; Book
Young, Poor, and Pregnant: The Psychology of Teenage Motherhood ImageYoung, Poor, and Pregnant: The Psychology of Teenage Motherhood
by Dr. Judith S. Musick
Yale University Press; Published: 1995-02-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $27.84
Price in other shops: $29.00
For Our Daughters: How Outstanding Women Worldwide Have Balanced Home and Career ImageFor Our Daughters: How Outstanding Women Worldwide Have Balanced Home and Career
by Olivia Cox-Fill
Praeger; Published: 1996-03-25; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $21.93
Price in other shops: $91.95
Gay and Lesbian Parents ImageGay and Lesbian Parents
Praeger Paperback; Published: 1987-08-19; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.00
Price in other shops: $29.95
Immigrant Mothers: Narratives of Race and Maternity, 1890-1925 ImageImmigrant Mothers: Narratives of Race and Maternity, 1890-1925
by Katrina Irving
University of Illinois Press; Published: 2000-02-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $29.75
Price in other shops: $29.95
Something to Tell You ImageSomething to Tell You
by Gilbert Herdt, Bruce Koff
Columbia University Press; Published: 2000-01-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $25.99
Price in other shops: $83.50
Similar Books and other products
She Looks Just Like You: A Memoir of (Nonbiological Lesbian) Motherhood ImageShe Looks Just Like You: A Memoir of (Nonbiological Lesbian) Motherhood
by Amie Klempnauer Miller
Beacon Press; Published: 2010-05-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $7.50
Price in other shops: $24.95
A Legal Guide for Lesbian & Gay Couples ImageA Legal Guide for Lesbian & Gay Couples
by Denis Clifford Attorney, Frederick Hertz Attorney, Emily Doskow Attorney Attorney Attorney Attorney Attorney Attorney Attorney
Nolo; Published: 2010-03-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $18.48
Price in other shops: $34.99
And Baby Makes More ImageAnd Baby Makes More
Insomniac Press; Published: 2010-10-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.22
Price in other shops: $15.95
Lesbian Couples: A Guide to Creating Healthy Relationships ImageLesbian Couples: A Guide to Creating Healthy Relationships
by Ph.D. D.Merilee Clunis, Ph.D. G. Dorsey Green
Seal Press; Published: 2004-12-21; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.20
Price in other shops: $16.95
The Lesbian Parenting Book: A Guide to Creating Families and Raising Children ImageThe Lesbian Parenting Book: A Guide to Creating Families and Raising Children
by Ph.D. D.Merilee Clunis, G. Dorsey Green
Seal Press; Published: 2003-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.02
Price in other shops: $18.95
Mommy, Mama, and Me ImageMommy, Mama, and Me
by Lesléa Newman
Random House; Tricycle Press; Published: 2008-12-09; Board book; Book
Best price: $3.87
Price in other shops: $7.99
The New Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth ImageThe New Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth
by Stephanie Brill
Alyson Books; Published: 2006-07-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.61
Price in other shops: $22.95
The Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide ImageThe Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide
by Arlene Istar Lev
Berkley Trade; Published: 2004-11-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.76
Price in other shops: $18.00
Confessions of the Other Mother: Non-Biological Lesbian Moms Tell All ImageConfessions of the Other Mother: Non-Biological Lesbian Moms Tell All
Beacon Press; Published: 2006-05-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.99
Price in other shops: $16.00
The Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth ImageThe Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth
by Kim Toevs, Stephanie Brill
Alyson Books; Published: 2002-02-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $59.99