Review

Being put to the tests

The antenatal testing handbook - the complete guide to testing in pregnancy
Vivienne Parry
Pan, 1993

This is a reference book written for lay people which describes all the antenatal tests currently available in Britain. It begins with an explanation of genetic inheritance and congenital abnormalities and runs through routine tests in pregnancy. It explains the medical reasons behind more complex antenatal testing, and goes on to describe ultrasound scanning, amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, cordocentesis and biochemical screening. The rationale, procedure, limitations and risks of each test are well covered. The book ends with a brief discussion of how to cope with abnormal results and advises on what support services and organisations are available.

Despite offering more technical and medical details of each topic than many other self-help books, the over dependence on text and the almost complete absence of illustration often make the technical details difficult to understand. The author tries hard to de-mystify and de-jargonise this important aspect of antenatal care but the book’s limited agenda and exclusively medical approach mean it is a long way from the reality of antenatal care familiar to most women.