Making Babies: The Science of Pregnancy
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.95 (905 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0674012364 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 320 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2016-06-26 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Making Babies sets the latest findings in pregnancy biology in a challenging evolutionary, historical, and sociological context, proving that when it comes to drama, pregnancy has it all: sibling rivalry, a battle of the sexes, and a crisis of gender identity. Drawing on past speculation and present knowledge, reproductive biologist David Bainbridge conducts us through the forty weeks of a human pregnancy, from conception to breastfeeding, explaining the complex biology behind human gestation in a clear and unassuming manner. Along the way, Bainbridge revisits some of the key puzzles about pregnancy: What's sex got to do with it? How does the fetus hijack its mother's immune system? What is the point, if any, of morning sickness? Just how does a fertilized ovum develop into eight pounds or so of baby, with ten fingers and ten toes? Does the baby or the mother control the onset of labor, and why is it such an ordeal for
GREAT book! Love this book so much Sunflower Meadow GREAT book! Love this book so much! For anyone that is fascinated with conception, pregnancy, and birth this is a great read!!. Understanding Pregnancy I loved this book. It is not a guide about pregnancy in the "What to expect" kind of way. It is instead a very detailed, fascinating narrative about the current state of knowledge on conception, fetal development and birth. This book satisfied my curiosity on the complex process that is procreation. I particularly liked the ease with which the narration flows. The language is simple and mostly non-technical, but it is also not "dumbed down", which is brilliant on the part of the author. As a scientist myself, I was delighted with the list of peer-reviewed journal references provided at the end. Liz Chalmers said An unusually detailed view of pregnancy. I've read many pregnancy and birth books, but this one is unique. It goes into the how and why of human reproduction in tremendous detail, starting with why we even bother to reproduce sexually. He examines what happens at a cellular level during conception and details early embryonic development. He examines the role of evolution. He does go into various examples of things that can go wrong, so it might not be the best read for an anxious parent-to-be.One criticism: I think in his purely scientific view, he misses the mystique and spirituality of producing babies. The last chapter is particul
Expectant parents might not like being compared to red deer at first, but most will warm to their shared experience. It would be all too easy for the author to get caught up in the intricacies of hormones and anatomy that have evolved from our egg-laying ancestors, but he softens the details with insights and examples from throughout the animal kingdom. --Rob Lightner. Examining big questions like "Why have sex?" and "How does the fetus change the mother?" is daunting, but Bainbridge guides the reader through the issues with confidence and humility. It's no substitute for a birds-and-bees chat, but Making Babies is perfect for those who want to deepen their un