Book Review

Author Jan Roberts

In our health-conscious society, a fairly common question asked by couples trying to conceive is what they can do, health-wise, to maximise their chances. Beyond that there are also the questions about how best to ensure the health of their unborn baby. Healthy Parents, Healthy Baby: A Guide to Conception & Pregnancy by Jan Roberts has the answers.

In this easy to read guide to preconception and pregnancy care, Jan takes you through everything you need to know to get both yourself and your partner in tiptop baby-creation shape. Naturally this includes exploration of what really constitutes a healthy diet, the value of regular exercise and, the power of positive thinking.

But beyond these more common questions Jan also explores the effects of our modern-day environment on fertility. This includes the effects of environmental toxins, as well as the dangers of exposure to heavy metals, electromagnetic radiation (from mobile phones and computers) and ionising radiation (from x-rays and flying).

The ethos of this book is very much centred on the belief that truly healthy, happy babies do not occur by accident. The physical and mental health of a baby, it attests, is directly related to that of the parents long before their baby is conceived, and during pregnancy.

To see just how good a shape you are in, Jan offers a multiple choice quiz which allows you to establish how good a candidate you are for making a healthy baby, as well as an action list to kick start your journey. Last of all the book is topped off with an appendix which includes everything you need to know to establish your own toxin-free kitchen garden along with some healthy recipes to try.