Before Birth of Baby

"Start now -- when the time comes, there'll be no time ;-)."

"I like Penelope Leach's books, myself."

"I constantly read up on baby care, I figure the more I know the better off I'll be."

"If you don't already have it, I would suggest the 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' book. My doctor provided me with a copy and I think it's great. But, opinions will differ, browse through it at the store if you like."

It depends on what type of information you are looking for. If you want to be informed for your own knowledge and so you can make informed choices about your pregnancy and birth then books like What to Expect When You're Expecting wont help much. Try "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer or "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn" by Simkin, Whalley, and Keppler. You might search for doulas in your area and ask if they have a book lending library, most do.

I have to say that hands-down, the most entertaining book on pregnancy I have read is The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy by Vicky Iovine. It is very factual but keeps you laughing and it's not as intimidating as other books. For a first p/g, definitely go for that! Also, The Unofficial Guide to Pregnancy is great to have as a resource, and it answered many of my questions, but it's pretty boring. I find that the Internet can be more helpful than books. My favorite site for pregnancy is pregnancy.about.com and there's also great discussion forums at justmommies.com.

what to expect when your expecting is definitely the best for info. as far as wanting to laugh instead of screaming at the father of your fetus, belly laughs by jenny mcCarthy is the best book to read.

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read what to expect when your expecting .. i read that book and now i know like just about everything about pregnancy it helped me out alot and made me less worried when something new happened to my body.

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I would say the dictionary. It is important to understand birthing terminology and phrases like "push" and "almost there." Good luck on this exciting adventure!

Yes, an embryo is definitely an unborn baby. An embryo is just as much as unborn baby as a three week-old is a born baby. There is no point in which an embryo goes from being a non-baby, to being a baby. The one radical moment in the life of a human that takes it from being not a human to being a human is the moment of conception.

If you are buying a hamster for you not a child then you should get it when you have money to take care of it time to play with it.Also time to clean out its cage.Even though your an adult you still nee to keep the room its in clean cause the smell can hurt it.On the other hand if your buying it for a child you need to make sure they wont hurt it,and they need to have a clean area for it if you dont have a clean area for it it can die cause of the smell.

1. Hamsters are small and require little space for their cages/vivariums - but, they need attention and time out of their cages every day. You also have to keep in mind a space where it isn't too noisy (no loud blasting music) and where the hamster won't disturb you at night when you are sleeping. It's not a really good idea to keep the hamster in your bedroom, any place in constant light or dark. A covered balcony (without draughts) would be a better choice.

2. Hamsters are affordable to purchase and keep - but, this is relative. The first time purchases make up quite a bill and you must be prepared to purchase items for your pet at regular intervals (new water bottle, wheel, food...etc) for the rest of its life. However, no matter what, they are one of the most inexpensive pets to keep. Pieces of fresh vegetable that is not used for cooking can also be given and this will supplement food you buy. In a nutshell, don't make the mistake of concentrating on getting a hamster at a good price and neglecting all the other needs. This is usually what happens with new pet owners.

3. Hamsters are favorites with children - but they can bite and their bites can draw blood. Each hamster is different and some may never bite especially if they are tamed by you. There are some hamsters that do have a tendency to bite especially if they are not handled by the pet shop owners. Are you willing to keep a hamster that is possibly mean and unsociable if the pet store hasn't handled the hamsters regularly? This means a hamster that you cannot interact with. Others may not want to take the hamster in either.

4. Hamsters hardly get sick - but if they do, are you willing to take them to the vet? Most of the time, very sick hamsters have little chance of survival. The vet bill is also often much higher than the price of the hamster.

5. Hamsters can make some noise at night; wheel squeaking, biting on the cage, or digging or scratching at cage bottoms. This can prove to be terribly irritating. (Hamsters also make little squeaking sounds if they are fighting.)

6. Hamsters do not turn your house upside down - but they occasionally turn their cage inside out! You may have to replace items regularly (like waterbottles if it chews on it) and perhaps sweep around its cage everyday, where they've kicked out shavings. This might not appeal to extremely tidy pple who like to see their house spick and span at all times.

7. Hamsters are crepuscular or nocturnal.Basically, they're awake and active in the dark. Are you willing to play with them when the sun goes down? They get grumpy if they're woken up from their afternoon beauty sleep and may be more apt to bite if disturbed. If you are usually free in the day, you might want to consider a more diurnal animal. However, if you are relatively free in the evenings, this arrangement should suit you fine.

8. Syrian hamsters are solitary - one to a cage at all times (except when they are very young)! ALthough there have been cases of syrians living well together, it is not advisable to take the risk, especially if you are a new hamster owner. Obtaining another set of accessories and a new cage would be the best option. Or, if that is not possible, finding a good home for the second hamster (folow link to the boards where you can search for one) is in order. It is important to note that Russian Dwarf Hamsters can be kept together, but this has to be done at a young age (usually no later than 2 months). Are you willing to get ten cages, water bottles, wheels, etc. if you have ten hamsters or willing to buy another cage if the Russian Dwarfs Start fighting?

9. Hamsters can be left alone, if necessary for long periods (holidays- I mean one or two days) and when you're not at home during the day - but they're escape artists and are hard to find if they've decided upon a cosy hiding place, but it may be a better option to have a friend or relative look after it while you are gone just so if the hamster gets out, drains the waterbottle, etc., there isn't a problem. On the whole, it is much easier to find a pet sitter for a hamster than for a dog or cat and usually this doesn't cost at all, since it's usually a friend or relative who's been left with the job. However, do brief your sitter about your hamsters habits and needs. I've heard of a case where the sitter put the visiting hamster with her own and they fought to death!

10. Hamsters can be quite hardy and generally adapt wellbut, - they can be hurt easily if they are dropped accidentally at standing height and you definitely can't play rough with a hamster! Neither can you play with them for long periods.

11. Hamsters do not have a strong odor because they clean and groom themselves regularly and do not require baths. But their cages will reek if you are not regular(once a week) in cleaning and they will get sick if cleaning is put off. They also need their cages cleaned if the waterbottle leaks as this can make them sick if it is not cleaned up right away.

12. Hamsters love to explore and are fun to watch - but they do not perform tricks, cannot be hugged like a dog and do not go to you when they're called (at least not usually). Do you need an affectionate and attentive pet?

13. You can be quite attached to your pet - but, they live at most 3 years (some live longer but they are exceptions). Do you need a pet who'll be able to spend more time with you?

BUT... if you are looking for a pet that is smart and will respond usually, there's rats although they chew stuff...