From the Hips: A Comprehensive, Open-Minded, Uncensored, Totally Honest Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Becoming a Parent

Drawing on the experiences of hundreds of real parents and the expertise of doctors, midwives and other birth and baby pros, this indispensable resource is filled with the most accurate and up-to-date information about having and caring for a baby, including:

Decisions, Decisions:

A judgment-free breakdown of every major choice, including prenatal testing, natural vs. medical childbirth, circumcision, breast or bottle feeding, and work/life options

The Endless No:

What not to eat, take, and do when youre pregnant-get the real facts behind the prohibitions

I Want My Life Back:

Anxiety, regret, ambivalence, and other rarely discussed postpartum emotions

Parents and partners:

A look beyond the one-size-fits-all approach to family, with strategies for minimizing perfect-parent pressure and managing your real-life relationships through the changes

Sorting Through the Voices:

A user-friendly guide to the dueling gurus, trendy techniques, and conflicting theories that confuse new parents

A forward-thinking book that includes a wide range of voices and approaches, From the Hips reflects the many ways of being pregnant and parenting without suggesting that there is one right way.

"Neither Odes nor Morris is a doctor, but as eager authors and recent mothers themselves, they aim, in this chick-friendly guide, to dish out Internet-accessible information and you-go-girl supportive advice. Their approach is to consider the authorities with a mere grain of salt, while seeking a supportive environment in which to nurture one's pregnancy and child-rearing. And while sorting through the opinions along the way, from choosing a health-care provider, coping with loss, birthing strategies, breastfeeding and sex, and baby-care basics, among other topics, the authors provide on most pages plentiful belly-shaped bubbles containing lively quotes from 'anonymoms.' Hear the mothers from the trenches express what they really feel, from one mom who enthuses, 'The belly — I loved everything about it, and it makes people — strangers, even — feel enthralled with you') to the sadly modern refrain of another, 'Sometimes I bury myself in work so I don't feel the sadness, fatigue and stress of having the baby waiting for me at home.' The authors' are upbeat and well informed, and their useful back-of-the-book references address sensitive specific needs such as adoption and surrogacy, teen and older parents, and breastfeeding controversies." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Unlike any other pregnancy book, this is a hip, no-nonsense, fully illustrated guide to pregnancy, birth, and parenting that speaks directly to the new breed of parents, combining in-depth information and accessible attitude.

Rebecca Odes is the coauthor and illustrator of the bestselling sex/life guide, Deal with It! A Whole New Approach to Your Body, Brain, and Life as a gURL. She lives in New York City with her husband and children.

Ceridwen Morrisis a writer and mother living in New York City.