Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?: The Surprising Science of Pregnancy

At last, a fun, accessible book on pregnancy that goes beyond the how-to and explains the why—a bright piece of brain candy about the science behind genes, hormones, instincts, and other big-picture issues.

Did you know…

• Mothers unknowingly influence the gender of their children. Maternal stress levels, sexual promiscuity, temperament, and nutritional status are all factors.

• Expectant fathers often find themselves plump and puking—likely triggered by chemical signals in their pregnant partner’s sweat and saliva.

• An expectant mother’s brain shrinks, her skin darkens, and her senses sharpen. She may also become repulsed by her partner’s odor.

• The month of a baby’s birth can predict how tall she will be, how easily he will put on weight, how long she will live, whether he will be a morning bird or a night owl, and her scores on college entrance examinations.

Dissatisfied by what she could find about some of the odder mysteries surrounding conception and pregnancy, Jena Pincott, author of the acclaimed Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes?, spent her own pregnancy writing a unique, surprising book for expectant parents. Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies? goes beyond the hazards and health advice in most pregnancy books to delve into what really happens to a woman’s body—and baby—during what is surely one of life’s most interesting adventures.

"Science writer Pincott (Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes?) began her research when she was pregnant; her daughter was born during the writing process, and she describes the work as 'curiosity -driven,' urging readers to flip to the pages that interest them most. As Pincott negotiates her pregnancy, she explores a wide array of subjects expectant parents will find utterly captivating, drawing from studies in evolutionary psychology, biology, social science, neuroscience, reproductive genetics, endocrinology, and largely from research in the field of epigenetics, the influence of environment on the behavior of genes. She examines each phase of her own pregnancy, addressing odor and taste aversions (the 'gag list'), vivid dreams, how diet affects a gene's behavior, and a wealth of other subjects. She delves into how dads react to pregnancy (many put on weight) and makes the remarkable observation that what grandma ate when pregnant way back when may influence the baby's future health ('I'm eating for two generations,' she quips). While readers will be entertained and fascinated by this text from start to finish, the concluding chapter, 'Lessons from the Lab,' offers expectant mothers a valuable summary of practical research-based tips (moderate stress experienced by mom may actually be good for the fetus; eating a chocolate bar a day may improve baby's temperament). Pincott writes with humor and vibrancy, bringing science to life. (Sept.)" Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Brain Candy for expectant parents!

Pregnancy is an adventure.

Lots of books tell you the basics—“the baby is the size of [insert fruit here].” But pregnant science writer Jena Pincott began to wonder just how a baby might tinker with her body—and vice versa—and chased down answers to the questions she wouldnt ask her doctor, such as:

• Does stress sharpen your babys mind—or dull it?

• Can you predict your babys temperament?

• Why are babies born in the darker months of the year more likely to grow up to be novelty-loving risk takers?

• Are bossy, dominant women more likely to have boys?

• How can the cells left behind by your baby affect you years later?

This is a different kind of pregnancy book—thoughtful, fun, and filled with information you wont find anywhere else.

Where Baby Mama meets the Discovery Channel, a bright book of brain candy about the wild science behind pregnancy.

week, the New York Post, the New York Daily News, the Washington Post, and the Associated Press.