This book investigates the potential risks associated with conventional obstetrical practices, specifically questioning the medical advice regarding weight management and dietary restrictions during pregnancy. The authors, Gail Sforza Brewer and Tom Brewer, utilize their background in nutritional science and obstetrics to argue that many standard medical interventions, such as salt restriction and the prescription of diuretics, may inadvertently contribute to pregnancy complications and birth defects. They propose a framework centered on adequate nutrition and physiological support to ensure maternal and fetal health.

This text is frequently cited in discussions regarding the history of prenatal nutritional advocacy and the shift in obstetric standards. Readers often note that the prose is accessible to laypeople while challenging the medical orthodoxy of its time.