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

I greatly enjoyed this book during my second pregnancy, and in fact I tracked it down and bought it just to read now even though my kids are teens, just because it was an interesting book.My favorite thing was how she gave spot-on advice regarding circumcision and the possibility of having an intersex child - in both cases, leave the child's genitals alone, as non-therapeutic cutting violates their human rights. Right on!In fact, circumcision is my litmus test for any pregnancy book. I look it up in the index, flip to that page, see what they say. If the book recommends cutting your baby for "health benefits" or if it takes the spineless way out and says parents should do "what's right for their family and traditions," I put that book right down. If they can't even get the most simple thing right (amputative surgery on a non-consenting person for non-therapeutic reasons is a human rights violation, an unnecessary health risk, and a violation of the Hippocratic Oath), then how can I trust ANYTHING they say in the whole book - things I'm *not* informed about and need to trust the author for information on? Rachel gets circumcision correct, so I know I can trust her information on the other topics.Plus, it's a very fun read, with personal anecdotes.Could use a little updating since laws and technology have changed since it was written.

This book was helpful in many ways, but here are a couple ways it wasn't. It is written by a woman who is not married to her partner and before same sex marriage was legal in as many states so as a married woman in MA there were a couple themes that I did not relate (ex. partner not 100% part of process) it was definitely refreshing to read about IUI, ICI and family planning from the perspective of a lesbian though, because so many resources are Herero focused.

Some really good information. She doesn't go into extreme depths in most topics, but does suggest other places to get that information.She has very strong and obvious opinions about things such as natural child birth, breast feeding, and circumcision. If your personal values vary from hers those parts of the book can be a little frustrating to read.Other than that it was a quick, entertaining, informative read. Her laid back tone and quotes from people who have been their keep this book feeling very personal.

I bought this book a few months ago but just recently got around to paging through it. My wife and I are talking seriously about having a baby and what that might look like for us. To call this book "an ultimate guide" is a joke. I realize the information is outdated. My issue is she hardly ever considers the partner who isn't carrying. And when she does talk about them she basically says they need to suck it up and take care of the mama and baby.. which implies they are not also a mom!! Having a baby is a huge life changing event for both partners and I would think that if this book is an "ultimate guide" for lesbians, then it would have more inclusive language. Its true that every couples experience is different, but it should be discussed! This book reads as a single woman's how to on pregnancy. Which is great but not how it's being sold. The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians is one woman's opinion and experience regarding pregnancy and infants. She doesn't even pretend to consider other options or opinions (I.e. YOU MUST BREASTFEED AND IF YOU DONT YOURE A FAILURE). She should have wrote a memoir. I think it still would stink but at least it would be less offensive.And don't get me started on the gender roles and classism!

It's a tiny bit out of date at this point, but it really has all the basics it needs. A great book to read from the start of your journey if you are a lesbian (or even a single mom by choice...or both) trying to conceive. It will give you a solid foundation to move forward with.

This is the most extensive pregnancy book for women who have to WORK at getting pregnant rather than starting at the "oops you're pregnant" point. If you're straight but single, lesbian, or partnered to a transman, this book is for you! Ms. Pepper is wonderful at being all-inclusive to all of her readers, including the family and partners of the pregnant woman. The book is positive and upbeat while still being serious and realistic. There is absolutely nothing I would change, add, or take away from this book and is worth keeping at your bedside if you're pregnant or beginning the process.

I purchased this book a few years ago for the hope that my wife and I would someday use it. Well, that day came and we both took turns reading chapters before and during her pregnancy. I found the book to be really informative, and seemed to cover a vast array of topics. We learned some new things, as well as had the opportunity to read personal experiences, in which we could relate. It was a handy little guide to get us through our first lesbian pregnancy. Surely we'll refer to it again on our next pregnancy. I recommend it to others.

As someone who needs "assistance" getting pregnant, I especially appreciated the review of the different options for insemination and frank discussion of the positives and negatives to each. Most pregnancy books presume the reader is already pregnant, whereas the first 75 pages or so of this book are all about the process lesbians and anyone else who's not "getting pregnant the old fashioned way" go through to even get sperm near an egg for conception. A great resource, written by an author who has been there, not a medical establishment or doctor.

Great book