PREGNANCY: THE BEST STATE OF THE UNION.

By Waldo L. Fielding '43,M.D. New York: Thomas Y. CrowellCompany, 1971. 184 pp. Illustrations byLawrence Duffy. $5.95.

Obstetricians are continually upset and beset as a result of popular press articles about pregnancy, labor, and delivery which are often too sensational and often present improper interpretations of the facts. We now have a rebuttal. Make Doc Fielding's new book, Pregnancy: The Best State of theUnion, required reading for our patients.

Delightful, informal, and informative, it takes everyone—patient, husband, baby, doctor, nurse, and assorted interested relatives—through the process of human reproduction with a level-headed philosophy that reflects the author's maturity and experience. It leaves everyone comfortable, satisfied, and often elated.

Taking everyone one step at a time, the organization is both novel and practical. I agree with Doc that too much knowledge too soon can't be assimilated in proper perspective. He sketches the whole outline at the start and then fills in the details as they become germane. He carefully debunks much ancient mythology and folklore; but he minces no words about possible aberra- tions of this "normal" process. He explains succinctly how a trained obstetrician justifies "is existence for the benefit of the mother, the baby, and the family in such a way as to be perfectly understandable to all—except the baby, who can't read as yet.

If this book were required for every pregnant woman, it would reduce by more than half the number of telephone questions received every day by every obstetrician, but that is a selfish observation.

A reviewer is supposed to offer criticism, I am told by those who know. My own criticisms are two. Dr. Fielding's exaltation of continuous epidural anesthesia may dash the hopes of many an obstetrical patient, for it is not universally available, even in some major teaching hospitals. I personally would take issue with his advocacy of routine circumcision. From the other side of the fence, I feel that this is a tribal ritual which may have significance in that connotation, but in no other way.

As far as the book as a whole is concerned, I am in accord with the television commercial which says, "Try it, you'll like it."

Dr. Schleicher is Clinical Associate Professorof Obstetrics and Gynecology, DartmouthCollege.