- Email: [email protected]
Contraceptive choices
-Contraceptive Choices. Produced and distributed by Milner-Fenwick, Inc. 1985. Color, sound, 16 minutes. Available in 16-mm film, Super 8-mm film, and all videocassette formats from Milner-Fenwick, Inc., 2125 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, MD 21093. (301) 252-1700. Purchase price: $295.00 for 16-mm film and $250.00 for Super 8-mm film; $250.00 for %-in VHSBETA videocassettes. Preview (2-week) for $15.00, $8.75/month for 34 months for videocassettes and 8-mm film. Shorter leases available. Reviewed by: Ronald M. McGraw, Phn, Medical Student, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Forth Worth, TX. Contraceptive Choices is a videotransfer, which involves the transfer of stop-action photography to videotape, rather than a motion video. It opens with a brief explanation of the process of conception and then discusses several methods of contraception, specifically foams and creams, the sponge, condoms, the diaphragm, birth control pills (including the “mini-pill”), and male and female sterilization. Procedures, effectiveness, advantages, and disadvantages for each of these methods are described. The information provided is accurate but incomplete. For example, while the role of the condom in preventing infection is mentioned, similar advantages in using the diaphragm and/or spermicides are not noted. The importance of having sperm counts after a vasectomy to determine its effectiveness is also omitted. Perhaps the greatest weakness of this video is that no mention whatsoever is made of a number of other methods of contraception (ie, the Billings or cervical mucus method, symptothermal method, “calendar,” and “withdrawal”). In summay, this film would be useful in educating patients about the more popular methods of birth control. However, they need to be told that there are other methods available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
The Fathers’ Book: Shared Experiences. Edited by Carol Kort and Ronnie Ftiedland. Boston: G. K. Hall and Co., 1986. 293 pages. $9.95, paperback.
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
??Vol.
Reviewed by: Minta S. Uzodinma, CNM, MN, Staff Nurse, Interim Stay Unit, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Jackson, MS. The editors of this volume compiled The Mothers’ Book when they themselves were new mothers, and decided to create a sequel for fathers that would serve as a source on “how fatherhood felt for me and very well might feel for you.” The editors hope that the book will motivate fathers to do their best in their new roles, and to realize that their experiences are similar to what others have felt. The selection of essays, poems, and interviews were written by 68 male contributors who responded to solicitations found in popular publications read by fathers and fathers-to-be. These men, many of whom are lawyers, teachers, and authors, are accustomed to expressing their feelings, and the result is an articulate collection of viewpoints on almost evey aspect of fatherhood. The book, divided into. 19 chapters, covers diverse topics: pregnancy planned and unplanned, postpartum adjustment, fathers and daughters, fathers and sons, fathers and mothers, fathers and grandfathers, stepfathers, adolescent fathers, fathers of adolescents, conflicts between career and family, paternity leave, joys and pains of gay fatherhood, infertility, adoption, vasectomy, miscarriage, and death. The essay, “A Father’s Miscarriage,” by Michael L. Robinson, exemplifies the insights found in the book. He comments that he resents the fact that people recognize the loss his wife is experiencing and ignore the tremendous loss he also feels, simply because men and women are supposedly different in their emotional needs. Robinson makes a strong plea for recognition that men and women are similar in their reactions and feelings about pregnancy, birth, miscarriage, and parenting. The editors emphasize throughout that both men and women need to participate fully in the joys and tragedies of life. While the book contains three excellent presentations on fathers of adolescents, it would have been appropriate to include at least one commentary on the reactions and feelings of a father at the time of his daughter’s wedding. Readers of this book definitely will recognize some of their innermost reactions,
32, No. 4, July/August 1987
thoughts, and feelings at various points in their own experiences. Contray to stereotype, the strong desire to nurture offspring is not unique to women. The book is softcover, affordable, and should appeal to the general collegeeducated adult public. It is appropriate for all racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, and is recommended to participants in childbirth education groups. The book also would be a thoughtful gift to new fathers. Ultimate Pleasure: The Secrets of Easily Orgasmic Women. By Marc and Judith Meshorer. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1986. 230 pages. $15.95, hardcover. Reviewed by: Ruth Emily Richter, CNM, MSN, Research Assistant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO. This book presents itself as being unique in the literature on human sexuality because it deals only with a “healthy” population. The authors conducted qualitative research, through questionnaires and taped interviews, on 60 easily orgasmic women (defined as being orgasmic in at least 75% of sexual contacts). The authors identify these women as “experts.” The book’s informal style indicates that it is written for lay people. Ultimate Heasure is about orgasm in the context of a heterosexual relationship. The 12 chapters of the book carry the reader through all phases of sexual encounters from preparation before even being in the company of partners to the experiences after love-making is complete. In each phase, the researchers draw out the specific elements that contribute to the women’s arousal and eventual ability to be orgasmic. Certain physical means, such as use of the pubococcygeal muscles or advantages of various positions in intercourse, are described throughout the book. However, its most interesting and perhaps important contribution is the multitude of examples of mental techniques these women employ. A view into their more intimate thoughts allows the reader to learn about the pivotal role that fantasy, imagery, imagination, role-playing, and emotions play in their erotic experiences. This attribute also is one of the book’s detractions: the
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The Fathers’ Book: Shared Experiences. Edited by Carol Kort and Ronnie Ftiedland. Boston: G. K. Hall and Co., 1986. 293 pages. $9.95, paperback.
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
??Vol.
Reviewed by: Minta S. Uzodinma, CNM, MN, Staff Nurse, Interim Stay Unit, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Jackson, MS. The editors of this volume compiled The Mothers’ Book when they themselves were new mothers, and decided to create a sequel for fathers that would serve as a source on “how fatherhood felt for me and very well might feel for you.” The editors hope that the book will motivate fathers to do their best in their new roles, and to realize that their experiences are similar to what others have felt. The selection of essays, poems, and interviews were written by 68 male contributors who responded to solicitations found in popular publications read by fathers and fathers-to-be. These men, many of whom are lawyers, teachers, and authors, are accustomed to expressing their feelings, and the result is an articulate collection of viewpoints on almost evey aspect of fatherhood. The book, divided into. 19 chapters, covers diverse topics: pregnancy planned and unplanned, postpartum adjustment, fathers and daughters, fathers and sons, fathers and mothers, fathers and grandfathers, stepfathers, adolescent fathers, fathers of adolescents, conflicts between career and family, paternity leave, joys and pains of gay fatherhood, infertility, adoption, vasectomy, miscarriage, and death. The essay, “A Father’s Miscarriage,” by Michael L. Robinson, exemplifies the insights found in the book. He comments that he resents the fact that people recognize the loss his wife is experiencing and ignore the tremendous loss he also feels, simply because men and women are supposedly different in their emotional needs. Robinson makes a strong plea for recognition that men and women are similar in their reactions and feelings about pregnancy, birth, miscarriage, and parenting. The editors emphasize throughout that both men and women need to participate fully in the joys and tragedies of life. While the book contains three excellent presentations on fathers of adolescents, it would have been appropriate to include at least one commentary on the reactions and feelings of a father at the time of his daughter’s wedding. Readers of this book definitely will recognize some of their innermost reactions,
32, No. 4, July/August 1987
thoughts, and feelings at various points in their own experiences. Contray to stereotype, the strong desire to nurture offspring is not unique to women. The book is softcover, affordable, and should appeal to the general collegeeducated adult public. It is appropriate for all racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, and is recommended to participants in childbirth education groups. The book also would be a thoughtful gift to new fathers. Ultimate Pleasure: The Secrets of Easily Orgasmic Women. By Marc and Judith Meshorer. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1986. 230 pages. $15.95, hardcover. Reviewed by: Ruth Emily Richter, CNM, MSN, Research Assistant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO. This book presents itself as being unique in the literature on human sexuality because it deals only with a “healthy” population. The authors conducted qualitative research, through questionnaires and taped interviews, on 60 easily orgasmic women (defined as being orgasmic in at least 75% of sexual contacts). The authors identify these women as “experts.” The book’s informal style indicates that it is written for lay people. Ultimate Heasure is about orgasm in the context of a heterosexual relationship. The 12 chapters of the book carry the reader through all phases of sexual encounters from preparation before even being in the company of partners to the experiences after love-making is complete. In each phase, the researchers draw out the specific elements that contribute to the women’s arousal and eventual ability to be orgasmic. Certain physical means, such as use of the pubococcygeal muscles or advantages of various positions in intercourse, are described throughout the book. However, its most interesting and perhaps important contribution is the multitude of examples of mental techniques these women employ. A view into their more intimate thoughts allows the reader to learn about the pivotal role that fantasy, imagery, imagination, role-playing, and emotions play in their erotic experiences. This attribute also is one of the book’s detractions: the
267