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Surprise Child: Finding Hope in Unexpected Pregnancy By Leslie Leyland Fields (Author) Our Price £ 6.79   Retail Value £ 7.99   You Save £ 1.20  (15%)   Item Number 25320   Buy New Item Quantity: Currently Out Of Stock Currently unavailable...

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	realistic yet hopeful stories of so-called "surprise" pregancies  Mar 9, 2007
a much needed addition to the literature on pregnancy. Many sound examples of how it takes time to sort things out and why it is so important not to make quick and seemingly easy decisions that can be regretted the rest of our lives. Often what seems so unexpected and life altering can be one of the best things that ever happened to us. Shows self-sacrifice in a very positive light that enhances one's own life and also many others. Displays the strength of women and how an altered path sometimes ends up much more rewarding and successful even for a career.
	Wish this Subject was Covered!  Feb 10, 2007
As I've been looking for a book on the subject of "Unexpected Pregnancy", I was interested in reading this book. But after some of the reviews describing what's in this book, while I'm sure this is a good book, I get the feeling that this book is not what I'm looking for. I wish there was a book (if anyone knows of one, please list it here if that's allowed) about married women with unexpected pregnancies who wish to adopt out the child. For the woman who knows her own mind (when the trite sayings of "Oh, it'll be alright," or "You'll love the baby anyway," or "You'll just have to live with it" don't work) and doesn't approve of getting rid of the baby through abortion, what choice does she have left? Instead of having to adapt to the idea of having another person around the home, why not allow an adoption. I've talked about this to so many other women, and while some of them look at me like I'm trying to start WWIII or I'm coming from la la land or something, there's some women who have told me that what I say is what they have thought of but were and are so afraid to mention. One woman told me that to mention adopting out her and her husband's baby would have made her family & in-laws totally turn away from her forever, and another said she was so very sick of being told that she was just suffering from post-partum depression that she could have screamed. (I've often wondered if a carpenter decides not to be a carpenter, if he or she would be labeled as suffering from post-carpenter depression, for instance, and relentlessly nagged until returning to the job as a carpenter against his or her wishes? - Just a thought.) Anyway, if anyone knows of a book that covers this subject realistically, please list it here if you can. - THANX
	Must-read for women in unplanned pregnancies  Jun 22, 2006
This is a truly fantastic book for women in unplanned pregnancies. Whether you consider yourself too young, too old, too poor, too sick, or too overburdened to welcome a child right now, or you have some other special circumstance (such as rape) that makes you doubt your ability to be a good mother, you will certainly find a story you can relate to in this book. It's one of the few resources I've found that encourages women to look at an unplanned pregnancy as an opportunity rather than as a problem to be solved. Fields acknowledges how easily pregnancy can seem like an inconvenience, a stumbling block, or even a tragedy. She knows, from personal experience, the deep anguish women feel when they find themselves unexpectedly pregnant. And she understands the feeling of fear and depression that accompany unsupported pregnancies, or those that occur in less-than-ideal circumstances. I only wish more people would acknowledge how common this type of pregnancy is. (According to the National Institutes of Health, about 60% of all pregnancies are unplanned--that's three million women a year.) We can safely assume that not all of those three million women were overjoyed to learn of their pregnancy. But that's not something we talk about much in our society, is it? That's why it's wonderful to hear Fields and the women profiled in this book being utterly and completely honest about how they were anything but happy to find out they were expecting. Fields' main point is that what initially seems like a crisis and the worst thing in the world can ultimately transform into a blessing, as you come to realize you can handle what you have been given, and that you actually do want and love the child you are carrying. She believes that the transformation happens at different times and in different ways, but almost always happens. Sometimes the transformation means embracing parenthood, and other times it means choosing adoption (which is given a small amount of attention here--but the real emphasis is on parenting.) In both cases, the ambivalence felt early on begins to change as a woman struggles through the solitude and difficulty of the pregnancy. Eventually, it turns into an acceptance of motherhood and love for the unplanned baby. Some readers with different beliefs may be a little uncomfortable with the Christian viewpoint espoused in the book ("the Maker of life doesn't make mistakes," etc.), but Fields is essentially gentle in her writing and doesn't force her faith on others. I applaud this book for talking about a topic that we as women don't talk about enough. We don't always get to choose the circumstances of our motherhood, but we can and should inspire each other to rise to the occasion. As Field notes, unplanned pregnancies can feel like a kind of death, but they have the possibility, and the probability, of changing into something joyful.
	the gift of truth  Jun 6, 2006
I have never been in a "surprise child" situation, but once I opened this book I couldn't put it down. Leslie Fields writes so compellingly and beautifully about the realities of pregnancy and birth, anyone involved in parenthood in any way will feel pierced to the heart by this book. Fields tells the true stories of many women here who have overcome the overwhelming challenges of unplanned pregnancy by clinging to hope and finding courage they didn't know they had. Hope and courage is required of all parents, but these brave women are especially inspiring. Most important, Fields gives us in this book the gift of truth. Without diminishing the wonder and joy of motherhood, she is willing to speak frankly about what any pregnancy costs in a woman's life. Women faced with the grief and pain of unplanned pregnancy will be greatly relieved to find that someone understands and is willing to speak of anger, pain, loss--yet still point the way to hope.
	Katrina De Man  May 31, 2006
I like Leslie Leyland Fields on any topic. I was touched and fascinated at the first page and read it through in that setting. This book is honest, poignant, raw, helpful, and rich. Though I have never had a suprise child, I've been pregnant and have heard about the unexpected from friends who run the spectrum of excited to unsure and upset. I related to this book on both those levels and feel like I've been reminded to embrace my children and not just endure them, that the growth of a child within offers the possibility and delight of my own personal growth by giving life to and loving another. This books lets you know how the author and others worked through the surprise to the joy and it helps you believe that you will, too, whatever your circumstances (even rape). This book is a good read for anyone and an excellent resource for those helping others through the unplanned pregnancy!

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