City Baby DC

[Anonymous]

While out to lunch over the weekend I caught the cover story of The Georgetowner about the new book City Baby DC.

"...do you know what they (pregnant women) crave more than ice cream? Useful information." That line in the article had me hooked. I had to buy the book.

The book has lots of general information. To find an OB ask your friends. Or check with your insurance company. Or read the Washingtonian for their Best Doctors List.

Lots of omitted information. For some reason she mentions chain stores like Target for maternity clothes out in Sterling, but not in Springfield or anywhere in Maryland. She also says you can buy maternity clothes at Old Navy in Potomac Yards and I know for a fact that they do not carry maternity clothes.

She doesn't separate prenatal classes from postpartum fitness classes. I'm pregnant now. I want to know where I can go now without reading a whole paragraph to figure it out. Many pregnant women love to swim. You have to read the YMCA blurb to find out they offer it. I may be wrong, but I think RI Ave is the only location with prenatal aquatics. Not so hard to mention that, is it? Instead I am referred to ymcadc.org where I can search for it myself.

Get a prenatal massage at a place with the belly hole? I thought that was a no-no. How about Red Door or the Mandarin Oriental for a mere $225. I know there are more places that offer prenatal massages, but her list was short on independent MTs and small parlors.

DCUM got a nod in the book. DCUM and craigslist are the places to find a nanny. Re: DCUM "It is also a great place to connect with other parents and get answers to anything child- or parent-related." I thought DCUM would get referenced more since I find it to be one of the best resources for me as an expectant mother. And craigslist is where I've bought most of my baby stuff so far including books, furniture and gear.

I guess I'm disappointed in the book and while I haven't read it cover to cover yet, every time i pick it up I find myself thinking "I can't believe she is recommending that!" And "Why isn't she mentioning...?"

Maybe some of the information for parents will be useful once my bundle of joy has arrived, but as far as the rest of my pregnancy goes, I'll be back in the DCUM forums and Google looking for my answers.