- Email: [email protected]
Catalog of teratogenic agents
their infant, as well as ventilate their own thoughts and feelings. The next section of the text deals briefly with the advantages of breastfeeding a pretenn infant. This section, unfortunately, is not referenced. This reviewer feels that on many occasions breastfeeding couples encounter hostile forces in ICNs. They need to be armed with solid documented facts to support their choice of feeding. Formula supplementation is described next if “a premature breastfed baby is gaining too slowly . . . .” Various types of supplementation are presented. Gavage and intravenous feedings are also defined and discussed. Unfortunately, there is no discussion of the very real possibility of “nothing by mouth” as part of the treatment for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). “The incidence of NEC varies from 2-15 percent of admissions in ICNs . . . clinical care involves NPO and intravenous alimentation.“’ This unforeseen complication and its implications may be very distressing to parents or to mothers who are encouraged to pump, feed, and supplement in the ICN. The information about breastfeeding in this publication is truly excellent. Different pumping techniques, positioning, feeding hints, common problems, pitfalls, solutions, nutritional advice and much more are presented vey concisely and clearly. The problems are described as simply something that can be overcome and the couple is given constant, although subtle, encouragement. Various pictures are incorporated to aid in the explanations. The text also supplies the mother with a sample record chart to aid her with pumping, feeding, and caring for her baby. The chart is straightforward, but a note of explanation of its use and possible misuse by the couple would be helpful. A resource list that provides the parents with additional support, information, and pumping supply locations is at the end. Although most of the information is common knowledge to CNMs, this booklet can be a quick reference for any CNM counseling a breastfeeding mother of a premature infant. When the CNM recommends this booklet for couples, she should fill in missing information, such as references on breastfeeding and NEC, if and when it becomes necessary for that particular couple. Breastfeeding Your Premature or Special Care Baby will be of great assistance to a couple breastfeeding a preterm infant. The pub238
lication gives much information that will help a mother to successfully breastfeed her preterm infant.
REFERENCE 1. Klaus M, Fanaroff A: Care of the high risk neonate. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1986, pp 137-139. Drug Use in Pregnancy, Second Edition. Edited by Jennifer R. Niebyl, MD. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1988. 245 pages. $29.90, hardcover. Catalog of Teratogenic Agents, Fifth Edition. By Thomas H. Shepard, MD. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986. 710 pages, $45.00, hardcover. Reviewed by: Tom Lloyd, MS, CNM, Assistant Professor, Nurse-Midwifery/ Women’s Health Care Program, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon. Drug Use in Pregnancy is a collection of 19 monographs authored and coauthored by 22 individuals. The principle author and editor is the director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The book contains 19 chapters categorized according to clinical use (and abuse) of a class of drugs. Most of the chapters provide a detailed perspective of the use of drugs in the management of particular health care problems during pregnancy (e.g., “Antibiotics in Pregnancy, .” “The Use of Anti-Asthmatic Drugs in Pregnancy; ” “Anticoagulants in Pregnancy”). Also included are chapters on the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, marijuana, cocaine, and caffeine. The book concludes with a brief chapter on “Treatment of the Common Cold in Pregnancy.” The book is clear, concise, and lends itself easily to quick perusal of the given topics. Each chapter is broken down into clearly labeled subsections, which facilitates rapid reference. Most chapters provide an overview of pathology and an itemized discussion of particular pharmacologic agents. There is liberal (yet crucial) documentation of the scientific literature with regard to the actions and side effects of these agents, as well as their teratogenic potential. Each chapter ends with an easily readable reference list. Most of the information in thii book is Journal
of Nurse-Midwifery
l
readily available in other, more general texts; however, to obtain the same amount of specific information as included in this book, one would have to use both a general text and a pharmacologic one. Even then, most pharmacologic texts do not reference the clinical literature (as opposed to the theoretical and experimental) as completely as this book. Catalog of Temtogenic Agents is a collection of nearly 1500 abstracts pertaining to the teratogenic potential of commercial pharmacologic agents, naturally occurring substances (e.g., locoweed, hemlock, snake venom), pathogenic agents, and physiologic conditions (e.g., myasthenia gravis, zinc deficiency, hyperthyroidism). The entries are listed alphabetically and range from “Abortion, Induced’ to “Zopiclone.” The author is a faculty member of the Department of Pediatrics (Central Laboratory for Human Embryology) in the School of Medicine at the University of Washington. Most of the book’s entries provide information about a single, well-defined agent, although some entries include information on a class of agents. For example, the entry “Solvents, Organic,” includes data on at least twelve substances. Commercial pharmaceutical agents are listed under both the generic and trade names. The abstract, however, is listed only under the former. Some related topics are included under more than one listing, but they are adequately cross-referenced. For example, there are separate liitings for “Hyperthermia” and “Sauna Bathing” (which includes a reference on hot tubs). The catalog presents only the findings of scientific studies and case reports regarding the teratologic evidence. With a few exceptions, there is almost no interpretative discussion. This lack of speculation, although an asset, assumes that the reader is capable of making his or her own cautious interpretation of the often inconclusive literature. Almost all the abstracts are less than half a page. A complete reference list is included at the end of each abstract. Both of these books are welcome additions to any nurse-midwife’s library. Each lends itself easily to the type of quick reference demanded by the busy practitioner. There are, however, some very minor weaknesses in both books. Neither book uses the Food and Drug Vol. 33, No. 5, September/October 1988
Administrations’s classification system for labeling licensed pharmacologic agents with respect to their use in pregnancy (although Drug Use in Pregnancy outlines the system). Neither book provides any scientific illumination on the topic of “healing” herbs. Also, the format of Catalog of Teratogenic Agents suffers from the amateurish appearance of many desktop computer publishing endeavors. Although the use of a computerized data base is explained in the preface of the Catalog, the preface itself is professionally typeset and thus does not suffer the appearance of the text in the rest of the book. With more states granting prescriptive privileges to nurse-midwives (and many allowing it under standing orders), it is legally prudent and professionally imperative for the practitioner who prescribes drugs during pregnancy to have immediate access to information about side effects, adverse effects, contraindications, and teratogenesis. These two books are excellent resources.
On Our Own: A Single Parent’s Survival Guide. By John DeFrain, Judy Fricke, and Julie Elmen. Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath and Company, 1987. 282 pages. $29.00, hardcover; $12.95 softcover. Reviewed by: Ruth Monchek, CNM, MS, Clinical Instructor, University of Medicine and Dentistry, Nurse-Midwifery Program, Newark, New Jersey. The authors of On Our Own have educational backgrounds in family relationships and human development. In writing this book, they have expanded their knowledge base by examining the lifestyles of divorced parents and how they are coping with the unlimited variations of child custody arrangements. The purpose of this endeavor is to provide estranged couples with information and personal insight into the difficult decision of who will be the primary caretaker of the children. The authors stress that the breakup of the family unit is a time of emotional upheaval during which custody cases can provide a volatile baffleground in which the children are often used as pawns to “get even” with embittered mates. This book reports and discusses data obtained in a descriptive study conducted by the authors. Although all reJournal of Nurse-Midwifery
l
gions of the country are represented in the large group, the researchers disclaim their sample as being random because the participants were volunteers and not likely to be the “average” parents in custody situations. The authors’ intent is not to provide cookbook solutions to child custody questions, but to share the wealth of information gathered as food for thought for parents embroiled in the custody decision making process. Although based on scientific data collection, this book is written clearly and can easily be understood by the average reader. Many of its readers, most likely, will not be interested in the methodology of the actual research project; however, those who may wish to incorporate this information into clinical practice will appreciate the discussion of the research design and will get a feel for the validity of the results. This book is intended to help the reader understand the inherent problems in any custody situation. It is divided into sections on mothers with sole custody, fathers with sole custody, split custody, and joint custody. Each section explores such topics as custody negotiations, dayto-day realities, both the parents’ and the children’s adjustments to the situation, and the joys and sorrows of sole parenting. Many of the actual reports from the study participants are given to highlight the researchers’ conclusions. One issue that weakens the value of the information presented is that it is written strictly from the adult’s viewpoint. It is impossible, therefore, to obtain an accurate understanding of how the children are coping with the custody arrangements. This input would certainly be helpful for families faced with this crisis. It is to the authors’ credit that they realize this shortcoming in their work and clearly point it out in their report. On our Own is useful in providing thought-provoking alternatives for those who find themselves contemplating the issue of child custody. It probes such areas as the emotional turmoil involved in making custody choices, the feelings of failure felt by many single parents, and the frustrations and satisfactions commonplace to the divorced parenting role. The authors emphasize again and again that flexibility and open channels of communication are the keys to successful child custody arrangements. As a conclusion to this book, the authors designed a mental checklist to be
Vol. 33, No. 5, September/October 1988
considered by anyone who is trying to figure out what type of custody plans will work for them. This “soul searching” exercise is quite comprehensive and touches on many crucial aspects of single living that might be overlooked during the overwhelming decision-making process. An appendix offers a discussion of the various resource services available as well as a list of references on divorce and child custody options. A reading list for children from preschool to young adult age is also included. On Our Own is a good book for adults who discover themselves in a divorce/ child custody situation. It clearly discusses the many facets involved in deciding what is best for all parties involved. It offers many opportunities for readers to contemplate their own unique situations and to realize that they are not alone in whatever their final actions may be. This book is also recommended to CNMs who in their daily practice work with women and families who may be involved in child custody problems. It exposes the emotional trauma of the situation, thereby helping the clinician to have a better understanding of this particular lifestyle. It also can be used as a reference to direct families in need toward available resources.
Family Planning Handbook for Midwives and Nurses, Third Edition. Edited by Ronald L. Kleinman. London: International Planned Parenthood Federation, 1986. Available from International Planned Parenthood Federation, P.O. Box 759, Inner Circle, Regents Park, London NW14L, England. 79 pages. $6.00, paperback. Reviewed by: Susan Wiedaseck, CNM, BSN, Instructor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Health Related Professions, Nurse-Midwifey Program, Newark, New Jersey. The stated goal of this book is “to help midwives and nurses play their full and very important role in family plannklg.” This is a very ambitious goal for such a short (79 pages) publication; in fact, it is only partially met. The midwife or nurse is encouraged to consider the social, cultural, and psychological aspects of contraception as well as 239
lication gives much information that will help a mother to successfully breastfeed her preterm infant.
REFERENCE 1. Klaus M, Fanaroff A: Care of the high risk neonate. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders, 1986, pp 137-139. Drug Use in Pregnancy, Second Edition. Edited by Jennifer R. Niebyl, MD. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1988. 245 pages. $29.90, hardcover. Catalog of Teratogenic Agents, Fifth Edition. By Thomas H. Shepard, MD. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986. 710 pages, $45.00, hardcover. Reviewed by: Tom Lloyd, MS, CNM, Assistant Professor, Nurse-Midwifery/ Women’s Health Care Program, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon. Drug Use in Pregnancy is a collection of 19 monographs authored and coauthored by 22 individuals. The principle author and editor is the director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The book contains 19 chapters categorized according to clinical use (and abuse) of a class of drugs. Most of the chapters provide a detailed perspective of the use of drugs in the management of particular health care problems during pregnancy (e.g., “Antibiotics in Pregnancy, .” “The Use of Anti-Asthmatic Drugs in Pregnancy; ” “Anticoagulants in Pregnancy”). Also included are chapters on the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, marijuana, cocaine, and caffeine. The book concludes with a brief chapter on “Treatment of the Common Cold in Pregnancy.” The book is clear, concise, and lends itself easily to quick perusal of the given topics. Each chapter is broken down into clearly labeled subsections, which facilitates rapid reference. Most chapters provide an overview of pathology and an itemized discussion of particular pharmacologic agents. There is liberal (yet crucial) documentation of the scientific literature with regard to the actions and side effects of these agents, as well as their teratogenic potential. Each chapter ends with an easily readable reference list. Most of the information in thii book is Journal
of Nurse-Midwifery
l
readily available in other, more general texts; however, to obtain the same amount of specific information as included in this book, one would have to use both a general text and a pharmacologic one. Even then, most pharmacologic texts do not reference the clinical literature (as opposed to the theoretical and experimental) as completely as this book. Catalog of Temtogenic Agents is a collection of nearly 1500 abstracts pertaining to the teratogenic potential of commercial pharmacologic agents, naturally occurring substances (e.g., locoweed, hemlock, snake venom), pathogenic agents, and physiologic conditions (e.g., myasthenia gravis, zinc deficiency, hyperthyroidism). The entries are listed alphabetically and range from “Abortion, Induced’ to “Zopiclone.” The author is a faculty member of the Department of Pediatrics (Central Laboratory for Human Embryology) in the School of Medicine at the University of Washington. Most of the book’s entries provide information about a single, well-defined agent, although some entries include information on a class of agents. For example, the entry “Solvents, Organic,” includes data on at least twelve substances. Commercial pharmaceutical agents are listed under both the generic and trade names. The abstract, however, is listed only under the former. Some related topics are included under more than one listing, but they are adequately cross-referenced. For example, there are separate liitings for “Hyperthermia” and “Sauna Bathing” (which includes a reference on hot tubs). The catalog presents only the findings of scientific studies and case reports regarding the teratologic evidence. With a few exceptions, there is almost no interpretative discussion. This lack of speculation, although an asset, assumes that the reader is capable of making his or her own cautious interpretation of the often inconclusive literature. Almost all the abstracts are less than half a page. A complete reference list is included at the end of each abstract. Both of these books are welcome additions to any nurse-midwife’s library. Each lends itself easily to the type of quick reference demanded by the busy practitioner. There are, however, some very minor weaknesses in both books. Neither book uses the Food and Drug Vol. 33, No. 5, September/October 1988
Administrations’s classification system for labeling licensed pharmacologic agents with respect to their use in pregnancy (although Drug Use in Pregnancy outlines the system). Neither book provides any scientific illumination on the topic of “healing” herbs. Also, the format of Catalog of Teratogenic Agents suffers from the amateurish appearance of many desktop computer publishing endeavors. Although the use of a computerized data base is explained in the preface of the Catalog, the preface itself is professionally typeset and thus does not suffer the appearance of the text in the rest of the book. With more states granting prescriptive privileges to nurse-midwives (and many allowing it under standing orders), it is legally prudent and professionally imperative for the practitioner who prescribes drugs during pregnancy to have immediate access to information about side effects, adverse effects, contraindications, and teratogenesis. These two books are excellent resources.
On Our Own: A Single Parent’s Survival Guide. By John DeFrain, Judy Fricke, and Julie Elmen. Lexington, MA: D. C. Heath and Company, 1987. 282 pages. $29.00, hardcover; $12.95 softcover. Reviewed by: Ruth Monchek, CNM, MS, Clinical Instructor, University of Medicine and Dentistry, Nurse-Midwifery Program, Newark, New Jersey. The authors of On Our Own have educational backgrounds in family relationships and human development. In writing this book, they have expanded their knowledge base by examining the lifestyles of divorced parents and how they are coping with the unlimited variations of child custody arrangements. The purpose of this endeavor is to provide estranged couples with information and personal insight into the difficult decision of who will be the primary caretaker of the children. The authors stress that the breakup of the family unit is a time of emotional upheaval during which custody cases can provide a volatile baffleground in which the children are often used as pawns to “get even” with embittered mates. This book reports and discusses data obtained in a descriptive study conducted by the authors. Although all reJournal of Nurse-Midwifery
l
gions of the country are represented in the large group, the researchers disclaim their sample as being random because the participants were volunteers and not likely to be the “average” parents in custody situations. The authors’ intent is not to provide cookbook solutions to child custody questions, but to share the wealth of information gathered as food for thought for parents embroiled in the custody decision making process. Although based on scientific data collection, this book is written clearly and can easily be understood by the average reader. Many of its readers, most likely, will not be interested in the methodology of the actual research project; however, those who may wish to incorporate this information into clinical practice will appreciate the discussion of the research design and will get a feel for the validity of the results. This book is intended to help the reader understand the inherent problems in any custody situation. It is divided into sections on mothers with sole custody, fathers with sole custody, split custody, and joint custody. Each section explores such topics as custody negotiations, dayto-day realities, both the parents’ and the children’s adjustments to the situation, and the joys and sorrows of sole parenting. Many of the actual reports from the study participants are given to highlight the researchers’ conclusions. One issue that weakens the value of the information presented is that it is written strictly from the adult’s viewpoint. It is impossible, therefore, to obtain an accurate understanding of how the children are coping with the custody arrangements. This input would certainly be helpful for families faced with this crisis. It is to the authors’ credit that they realize this shortcoming in their work and clearly point it out in their report. On our Own is useful in providing thought-provoking alternatives for those who find themselves contemplating the issue of child custody. It probes such areas as the emotional turmoil involved in making custody choices, the feelings of failure felt by many single parents, and the frustrations and satisfactions commonplace to the divorced parenting role. The authors emphasize again and again that flexibility and open channels of communication are the keys to successful child custody arrangements. As a conclusion to this book, the authors designed a mental checklist to be
Vol. 33, No. 5, September/October 1988
considered by anyone who is trying to figure out what type of custody plans will work for them. This “soul searching” exercise is quite comprehensive and touches on many crucial aspects of single living that might be overlooked during the overwhelming decision-making process. An appendix offers a discussion of the various resource services available as well as a list of references on divorce and child custody options. A reading list for children from preschool to young adult age is also included. On Our Own is a good book for adults who discover themselves in a divorce/ child custody situation. It clearly discusses the many facets involved in deciding what is best for all parties involved. It offers many opportunities for readers to contemplate their own unique situations and to realize that they are not alone in whatever their final actions may be. This book is also recommended to CNMs who in their daily practice work with women and families who may be involved in child custody problems. It exposes the emotional trauma of the situation, thereby helping the clinician to have a better understanding of this particular lifestyle. It also can be used as a reference to direct families in need toward available resources.
Family Planning Handbook for Midwives and Nurses, Third Edition. Edited by Ronald L. Kleinman. London: International Planned Parenthood Federation, 1986. Available from International Planned Parenthood Federation, P.O. Box 759, Inner Circle, Regents Park, London NW14L, England. 79 pages. $6.00, paperback. Reviewed by: Susan Wiedaseck, CNM, BSN, Instructor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, School of Health Related Professions, Nurse-Midwifey Program, Newark, New Jersey. The stated goal of this book is “to help midwives and nurses play their full and very important role in family plannklg.” This is a very ambitious goal for such a short (79 pages) publication; in fact, it is only partially met. The midwife or nurse is encouraged to consider the social, cultural, and psychological aspects of contraception as well as 239