The Our Bodies, Ourselves crew has a new book on women's health out. Our Bodies, Ourselves has been publishing feminist health info since their first cheaply printed and stapled booklet appeared in 1970 and started a revolution in women's health care.

After a two-year gestation, Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth has arrived!

The new book addresses the questions and needs of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the "fourth trimester" of early motherhood. It covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Choosing a provider and birth setting
• Making decisions about prenatal testing
• Arranging for continuous labor support
• Exploring options for pain relief
• Recovering from birth
• Adjusting to life as a new mother

The book also provides an overview of maternity care practices in the United States and examines why some aspects of the care most women receive are not based on the most reliable research on what is safe and effective.

Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth is already drawing praise from both mothers, midwives, and physicians:

From Tina Cassidy, author of Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born:

As a new mother myself, I appreciated all the scientific evidence that was used to back up recommendations or to question standard practices. And yet this book manages to be a smart, readable guide that is not preachy -- a rarity for pregnancy books.

From Timothy RB Johnson, MD FACOG, Bates Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Professor of Women's Studies at the University of Michigan:

The trusted Boston Women's Health Book Collective has written a comprehensive, accessible, and up-to-date book for expectant mothers. It balances important facts, scientific data, and evidence with the voice of the 'wise woman'; and it provides questions to ask, issues to think about, and options to consider and discuss. This is the #1 book I am going to recommend to my patients.

For more info and how to order the book please visit the OBOS website .