My usual approach to any project is research, research and research. So planning a family is no different for me – before we even came off the pill I had Zeta West’s books stacked in the bedroom. Mr BB is tolerant of this nerd-like behaviour (as he admits half our wedding would still be in planning stages if we hadn’t got ourselves organized and read up on what we were doing.) So when I heard about an irish book on TTC I had to get it – TTC The Irish Couples Guide by Fiona McPhillips - and an interesting read it’s been.
The first pages were not promising -the main thing that grated on me, and on anyone I to whom I showed the passage, was the patronizing admonition to potential fathers to be on hand for tlc and extra housework etc etc It was couched in a way that might be approved by a certain type of reader but it made me cringe and Mr BB was pretty incensed. A lot of modern couples will find some of the comments just a little patronizing and alienating. There are a few too many assumptions made.
Having said that, if you can plough past some of the clunky language and slightly grating comments this is a very worthwhile book. Criticism of the language and style fades in the face of good information, interesting practical suggestions and in fairness to the author what seems like a genuine attempt to be of use. Many TTC books (including Zeta West’s books) are founded on the principle of trying to sell something, a course of treatment or a range of supplements whereas McPhillips seems to be honestly imparting information.
Definitely worth the money, if only to point out that I’ve been living in shameful ignorance of my own body for years!
Zeta West’s books, Guide to Getting Pregnant and Fertility and Conception are eye openers – I learnt more abot how the menstrual cycle and fertility works by reading either of these books than from any other source. Her holistic, slightly new agey approach may turn some off but for most women the emphasis on being proactive, preparing your body for pregnancy, doing anything you can to strengthen your chances of conception will come as a welcome relief in the face of the frustration of infertility. As a devotee of all things natural and holostic myself, these books were excellent; and the sales pitch is kept to a dull roar.
Now, off to research Clueblue Fertility Monitors and Preeseed oil. Don’t ask.
