Review: 10,000 Babies: My Life In The Delivery Room by Silvio Aladjem, MD

Title: 10,000 Babies: My Life In The Delivery Room

Author: Silvio Aladjem, MD

Publication Date: January 29, 2013

Publisher: Authorhouse

Genre: Medical, Family, Non-Fiction

Pages: 239

Source: Paperback from Author

Rating:

Synopsis (from the Cover): "10,000 Babies" is a compilation of true events in the life of an obstetrician and his patients, presented as short stories. Some may bring a smile others a tear. Anyone who has a child, whether a mother or a father, will not remain indifferent. These stories range from those of the very early pregnancy, to the birth of triplets, from the anguish of not knowing if the baby will be born prematurely, to the unusual case where a mother thought that she was pregnant, when in reality she was not. Those that have not yet become parents or are already parents, will find in "10,000 Babies" a world they did not know existed. Sometime in the future, they may even relive any of those stories.

Also included are chapters about the history of how we got where we are in the care of pregnant women, how different cultures influence childbirths, why myths surrounding pregnancy are with us, and why those that care for pregnant women are a special breed of people. 

  

Silvio Aladjem, MD, FACOG, FRSM, is a Professor Emeritus in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University in Lansing, MI and Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He is Board Certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and the sub-specialty of Maternal Fetal Medicine.

He is a member of many professional and scientific organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Medical Association (AMA), Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS), Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and others including the Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom.

He is author of several textbooks of Obstetrics and Perinatal Medicine. In addition, he has published extensively in professional scientific journals in the US, UK, Europe and South America. His textbooks have been translated and published in Europe and South America.

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One of my favorite things about this book is that the author is from Hastings. Oddly enough, I read this on my trip back from Michigan after the 4th of July. It was so intriguing, at times surprising, that I shared some of the short stories with my friends I was riding with.

Silvio Aladjem, MD creates a memoir with 10,000 Babies: My Life In The Delivery Room. As a seasoned obstetrician, he shares stories of different scenarios, mothers, and babies with us that are very unique and interesting. For me, it has opened my eyes to a lot of things that could happen during pregnancy and also gives me hope that there is a lot that can be done. We are provided with a slew of information, and it doesn't just end there. He takes the time to explain things so we are able to understand what exactly we are reading about. Each personal encounter begins with some kind of explanation. Even the general format of the book seemed to fit together quite nicely.

Because Dr. Aladjem has been an obstetrician for so long, he has had the opportunity to see obstetrics evolve over time as the medical field becomes more aware and obtains more tools and options to offer. We are taken along some of his journey on how he began (unexpectedly) and what he himself was able to learn along the way. It was comforting and insightful to see an obstetrician who honestly cares about what he is doing, as though every patient is the only one he will ever have.

The short stories were incredibly interesting to me. Being a doctor has to be one of those professions where you just don't realize how many outrageous things they see/hear every day. In 10,000 Babies: My Life In The Delivery Room, there is a story Dr. Aladjem shares with us about a 40 year old woman who declared she couldn't possibly be pregnant because her and her husband BOTH were taking birth control pills! Apparently not all things are common sense! Other stories tell us of illnesses, disorders, and even relational discord people dealt with during their pregnancies. 

Thanks to Dr. Aladjem we are given a look at this milestone in life through the eyes of the medical professional. It is a very fascinating journey in every sense and if you are interested in becoming more aware and educated in terms of pregnancy then you should definitely read this book, even if it is simply for the sake of just knowing. This is a book I'm going to be keeping handy on my shelf and will most likely reference in the future.

Review: Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle

Title: Sparkly Green Earrings

Author: Melanie Shankle

Publication Date: February 8th, 2013

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Pages: 222

Genre: Humor, Parenting, Christian Non Fiction
Source: ARC from Publisher

Rating: 

Synopsis (from the Goodreads):  “There is really no better indicator you’re a mother than acquiring the ability to catch throw-up in a plastic bag, disinfect your hands, and immediately ask your friend to pass the beef jerky as you put on another Taylor Swift song and act as if nothing has happened.”

This is the type of insight Melanie Shankle offers in this quirky memoir of motherhood.

Written in the familiar, stream-of-consciousness style of her blog, Big Mama, Sparkly Green Earrings is a heartwarming and hilarious look at motherhood from someone who is still trying to figure it all out. Filled with personal stories—from the decision to become a mother to the heartbreak of miscarriage and ultimately, to the joy of raising a baby and living to tell about it—Sparkly Green Earrings will make you feel like you’re sitting across the table from your best friend. A must-read for anyone who’s ever had a child or even thought about it.

  

 Oh my goodness. This has to be one of the funniest books I have ever read. And I seriously mean ever. I honestly couldn't put it down because it was like watching a comedy flick. Make sure you have some popcorn and a delicious beverage ready when you read this. If you are a woman, have children, or ever plan on having children, you need to read this book. Melanie Shankle goes through just about every detail of child birth, from trying to conceive to raising a child and surviving it. I found myself laughing and crying with her through the journey of motherhood. 

 I myself have not yet had children, but I am reaching that time in my life and I found this book eye opening and useful. You always hear about the early mornings and time consumption, but Miss Shankle didn't sugar coat anything for us. Actually, her personality and no-beating-around-the-bush gusto reminded me a lot of myself (is that a little ridiculous to say?). She must be part redhead... ;)

 Anyway, this was the most enjoyable book I have read in quite a while. It's a nice, light read and I thoroughly enjoyed Miss Shankle's insight and wit. I think the only thing that knocked off that .5 point was the formatting, which I'm positive was meant to be informal in the least. I thought the side notes were funny, but my OCD (or CDO, in alphabetical order as they should be) caused me to cringe at the back-to-back parenthesis. I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. I am human. 

Should you read this book? YES. When? RIGHT NOW. So go ahead and run to B&N, grab a Caramel Salted Frappuccino from the Starbucks within (those things are freakin' AH-mazing!) and if your B&N has the same placement as ours, this lovely little gem will be waiting for you on the end cap of the Christian Biography section. 

Happy Reading!