The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume Four Review

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(More customer reviews)The critically ABC Family series "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" received a lot of attention during its first season as the series took on the challenges of teenage pregnancy. Showing us the ramifications of being pregnant as a young teen but also the responsibilities and difficult choices one needs to make as a single mother and also showcasing the challenges of teenage sexuality and peer pressure.
"THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" focuses on the life of teenager Amy Juergens (Shailene Woodley). Your typical girl next door. A 15-year-old who plays the French Horn in a band and part of a typical American family ala dysfunctional. During a summer at band cap, Amy met her high school band's "player" Rickey Underwood (Darren Kagasoff) and with one very quick one night stand, this teenager had her life change in ways she would never imagine. The first season of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" focused on Amy dealing with being pregnant and the months leading to her giving birth and having to decide between giving the baby up for adoption or keeping it.
The second season began with Amy wanting to raise the child on her own but depending too much on her mother Anne to help her out. Anne (played by Molly Ringwald) is strict and wants Amy to learn that having a baby has major challenges and to make things complicated, Anne is pregnant herself and not knowing if the father is her ex-husband George (played by Mark Derwin) or her new boyfriend.
In volume 3, we have seen changes with the friends as Benjamin (played by Kenny Baumann) who is Amy's boyfriend is starting to feel left out, especially as Amy wants the baby's father, Rickey (played by Darren Kagasoff) involved in the baby's life. Ben ended up going to Italy after the recommendation of his father and while there, met another girl.
Meanwhile, tragedy hit Grace Bowman (played by Megan PArk) as her father was killed in an accident, vulnerable and at her lowest of low, Jack (played by Greg Finley) ends up helping his ex-girlfriend and eventually, the two become boyfriend and girlfriend once again. And the two start to discuss having sex once again. As for Adrian (played by Francia Raisa), she starts to become more self-conscious about her sexual promiscuity.
"The Secret Life of the American Teenager - Volume Four" features the second half of season two with 12 episodes on three DVD's.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"The Secret Life of the American Teenager" is presented in widescreen (1:78:1) and for the most part, the picture quality is satisfactory for this drama series. Also, it helps that the series features various settings, including multiple outdoor shots which definitely makes the PQ for the DVD much better.
Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. The series is front and center channel driven, dialogue is clear and understandable and music comes out quite clear from the front channels. The series is not the type of series that utilizes special effects or the use of the surround channels but if you have a modern home theater receiver and a 5.1 or 7.2 setup, definitely worth selecting audio on all channels on the receiver for a more immersive soundscape.
Subtitles are in English SDH.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"The Secret Life of the American Teenager - Volume Four" comes with a few special features on disc three. Included are:
* Behind the "Secret" Scenes - (44:06) Featuring the following short featurettes: With Mikaela Pt. 1 - (1:44) Featuring an interview with Allen Evangelista (Henry) and Amy Rider (Alice), With Mikaela Pt. 2 - (2:14) Continuing the interview with Allen Evangelista (Henry) and Amy Rider (Alice) and the two end up interviewing Mikaela, Shooting Hoops - (1:14) Featuring the Daren (Ricky) Kagasoff with his brother Justin and actor Greg (Jack) Finley shooting hoops during a break on the set, Megan Talking to Canada - (:49) Since Megan (Grace) is from Ontario, Megan talks about a Canadian working in Hollywood with director Anson Williams ("Happy Days" Potzie) and Music Scoring - (2:32) The composer for the series talks about working with a great music crew.
* Cast on Family - (5:02) The cast talks about what they expect from their characters and what has made their series a success.
EXTRAS:
"The Secret Life of the American Teenager - Volume Four" comes with a slipcover case and also included is an exclusive sneak peek to "Ashley Juergen's Secret Diary".
JUDGMENT CALL:
I have been a big supporter of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" since its debut on television for the most part, for the first three volumes, the series has had its fair share of ups and downs. This second half of the second season, seems to be a bit of a mixed bag.
One of the biggest problems the series now faces is that it is becoming to mundane as sex is the storyline that seems to have consumed each episode of the fourth volume, there are no new teen characters for which the main core can move towards. If one person has a problem, it's like the character has disregarded all their other friends (and has no other friends) and can only confide in one of the people who happens to be a main character.
As much as I like to believe everyone has been brought together because of Amy's pregnancy in the first season, these teenagers were all part of some click and have left it to become friends with each other and what made "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" so unique was that it nearly covered the challenges of today's teenager. Now, it feels as if the writers have no where else to go. If one had to create a relationship conflict, it has to be within the group of core characters and I have to admit, this latest volume has literally frustrated me with its direction in writing.
The series reached its high point when trying to showcase high school life, teenage pregnancy and the challenges that teenagers face when it comes to peer pressure but it has become a series that focuses too much on the sex amongst its grownups and teenagers and it seems like the writers don't know where to go.
Even a series "Degrassi Junior High" has been able to find ways to overcome the group dynamics by varying storylines in which the group is not always hanging out with each other. Even "Beverly Hills 90210' (and it's current incarnation) has found ways to utilize other teenagers, other adults into the storyline.
The problem with the series now is that its far removed from how things were with the core characters, some which is understandable but some direction in storyline decisions which I find mundane, contrived and becoming too kitsch. The series has had it share of surprises but Ben and Adriana and now Adriana may be pregnant?
Amy, the young parent and former band member will always have challenges and there is so many storylines to explore with that. Meanwhile, her younger sister Ashley has transformed from this rebellious youth, to now the character who is hanging out with Adrian and Grace. She's younger, the writers should be able to find storylines that reflect challenges of young teenagers at her age, trying to fit in high school, without having to force her to become friends with people of Amy's age group. There is no reason Ashley should even be hanging out with Amy's friends. She's mature for her age, please writers... give her some new friends, introduce some new characters without having to force Ashley to hang out with Amy's circle of friends.
As for Ben, the storyline with him going to Italy, had the potential to be much stronger. If anything, he could have came back with confidence, a new relationship and for the most part, the writers played his character well...with his confusion around his feelings towards Amy. But once again, the writers feel the need to do this sex swapping and in this case, with Adrian. I see where the context of revenge on both sides leading to this sexual pairing but it could have been with someone else outside of the group.
Grace, the cheerleader, the person who has gone through major changes since her father died. I felt that this was a good storyline for her character but there has to be a breakaway from Jack. She's a beautiful cheerleader, who I am sure can attract other jocks or guys at that school without having to resort to Rick or Ben. There is no need for this beautiful teenager to be stuck within her own group. She's popular, she now has issues, then go with that.
As for Jack, the jock of the bunch, I thought it was great how they explored with his character earlier on of trying to pair him with an African American young woman but then the writers ended up going back to having him mess with Adrian and back and forth with Grace. Similar to Grace, Jack is popular, he's a jock and I'm not expecting a "Friday Night Lights" storyline but I'm sure there are other cheerleader friends that wouldn't mind challenging Grace for Jack's attention. Or at least, using his poor choice of decision making and leading him astray with other things other than sex.
I do feel that Adrian and Ricky's part of the series works well. Adrian is always going to have these issues especially with sex and I have no doubt the writers are going to showcase the repercussions of her easy going lifestyle in the next season. For Ricky, I see him wanting to get more involved in his child's life and the writer's did a good job for volume four.
Overall, "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" needs to take some risks, utilize new characters who show up from time to time but somehow preventing these characters from shacking up with each other all the time. The series is...Read more›

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In the wake of their breakup, Ben and Amy explore new relationships, though their attraction still lingers. Meanwhile, Ashley tests her parent’s limits, and Anne wants to remarry George on their next anniversary, but will he be able to wait that long? Relive every moment of televison’s celebrated drama – uninterrupted, plus enjoy fascinating bonus features, with The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume Four.

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Sara Holliday's Postnatal Total Body Toning Workout DVD (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)I love this workout because it is fast-paced but easy to follow. Sometimes I don't have a full hour to dedicate to exercising. In a half hour, I can work all areas of my body, get my heart pumping and feel great. The beach in the background is also nice.

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New and seasoned moms can get their postpartum bodies back into shape faster with Sara Holliday's Postnatal Total Body Toning Workout.Renowned fitness teacher and licensed Marriage-Family Therapist Sara Holliday shares her secrets of how she quickly put her body back in shape after each of her two babies were born.Whether you're a new mom or have been a mom for years, this is a great exercise program to start because it's quick and convenient.This highly effective 30 minute workout is power-packed with simple and fun exercises that are designed to get your heart rate up while targeting common problem areas such as the abdominals, hips, thighs, glutes, and upper arms.As a mom of two, Sara Holliday understands that new moms can't devote as much time to exercise, even when they want to, while getting into the routine of caring for a new baby.With this postnatal DVD workout, busy moms can exercise at their convenience in the privacy of their homes without any extra equipment.All mothers can feel fit, be strong, and reclaim their bodies with this fun, invigorating, and motivating workout that will help tone their bodies from head to toe.Exercising with this DVD can help moms feel good about their postpartum bodies and gain a sense of well-being as they efficiently shed unwanted pregnancy pounds.The Postnatal Total Body Toning class may have the following benefits.The 30 minute exercise class is specifically designed for busy mothers.It provides moms with a quick exercise program to get back in shape and targets common problem areas including the abdominals, thighs, and upper arms. It allows busy moms to fit in exercise at their convenience without being tied down to class schedules and no additional exercise equipment is needed. The class increases muscle tone, strength, and flexibility.Regular postpartum exercise may help new and seasoned moms shed unwanted pregnancy weight and get their pre-pregnancy bodies back. It helps busy mothers nurtur

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Leisa Hart's FitMama: Postnatal Workout / FitMama & Me Review

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(More customer reviews)Building on the success of the FitMama Prenatal workout, the FitMama Postnatal workout provides new moms with a challenging workout paced to individual levels of recovery. The workout consists of 2 cardio segments, a yoga segment, a pilates segment, and a stretch and relax segment.
In the introduction, Leisa Hart shows off her four month old baby and then sends him off for a nap to begin the workout. If your baby takes shorter naps than hers, you have the option of doing only one or two 10 minute segments. The cardio segments are fun and well-paced for a few months after delivery. There are many styles of yoga and I'm no expert, but after doing Iyengar style yoga for over a year I'm used to a slower more restful yoga practice which allows me to spend time in each pose. Her yoga segment seems more like a traditional aerobics strengthening and toning segment to me rather than yoga, but it's still worthwhile. The rigorous pilates segment uses a yoga ball (one of my few complaints about the program is that although she says the yoga ball is optional, none of the instructors demonstrate the segment without it.) Throughout the workout she offers modifications for different levels and for C-section and abdominal separation where appropriate, however all new moms should wait until cleared by their doctors to do the workout.
The DVD has some great special features, including:
* Workout to music without narration
* 2 bonus postnatal workouts (Coming Home and Bonus Yoga Ball)
* The entire FitMama and Me workout
Coming Home, the first bonus postnatal workout provides a gentle program that new moms can start doing on the first day post-partum, even while still in bed. The program builds gradually, adding more exercises for days 3-4, 5-14, and until your doctor gives you full permission to exercise.
In contrast, Bonus Yoga Ball is much more challenging, targeting those poor abdominal muscles need to get back in shape. Even Leisa Hart at four months post-partum gets out of breath on this one. My tummy hurts just watching it. As the title suggests, this workout requires the yoga ball.
Another special feature, FitMama and Me, is the reason I bought the DVD. How do you exercise when you can't put you baby down for even five minutes? Simple. You workout with your baby. It's not as comprehensive as the full Postnatal program and it's short, but it really is a workout and in many cases it may be the only workout a busy mom can manage. Because you lift your baby for the dance and tummy time segments, the workout gradually becomes harder as your baby grows. My baby and I love it, especially the baby dance segment. For this workout, you would probably want to wait until your baby has good head control.
The DVD format makes it easy to access any of the short workout segments (5 minutes or less):
* Dance With Me - a fun "baby dance" that gets mom moving using baby as a weight
* FitBaby - exercises for baby while mom sits on the floor
* Tummy Time - mom holds baby while doing abdominal exercises
* Quiet Time - mom does a few leg stretches while giving baby a massage
* Stroller Boogie - a demonstration of arm exercises to do while walking with the baby (I don't have an exercise band and my stroller doesn't handle well with just one hand, so I don't use this one).
This DVD is not quite perfect. For example, the Postnatal workout with music option should skip the intro and go straight to the first cardio segment. Also, I'd like more baby dance segments and stretching segments to provide some variety in the FitMama and Me workout. Also, you should look elsewhere for instruction on baby massage; this program simply uses informal rub downs (which is fine for this context). Even though there is room for improvement, this is a great DVD for a new mom from those first few days after having the baby up through the first year or so afterward.

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Buns of Steel instructor Leisa Hart continues to create dynamic programs that are safe, fun and effective to get you the results you deserve! Her warm, approachable personality and impeccable cuing has motivated millions to embrace exercise. As an ACEand AFAA certified instructor with over 19 years fitness industry experience, Leisa specializes in Pre and Postnatal Exercise, Lifestyle & Weight Management, Yoga and Toning.Prenatal exercise will help you: Improve circulation • Increase energy levels • Ease emotional highs and lows • Speed recovery of the pelvic floor • Ease back and shoulder tension from delivery • Regain and improve your pre-pregnancy physique • Build strength to carry your new bundle of joy.Busy moms will love these 5 and 10 minute time saving segments. Leisa Hart along with other moms, offers intensity variations so that you can start out light and work your way up to a challenge when you’re ready. This innovative method helped Leisa get back in top shape after both her pregnancies. FitMama Postnatal Workout follows the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists."I’ll help you shed that baby fat and regain your pre-pregnancy physique!" - Leisa Hart

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The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season Two Review

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(More customer reviews)The ABC Family series "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" received a lot of attention during its first season as the series was critically acclaimed and also how ABC Family didn't sugarcoat the challenges of teenage pregnancy. Showing us the ramifications of being pregnant as a young teen but also the responsibilities and difficult choices one needs to make. The series was also popular for its portrayal of teenagers of today. Again, nothing sugarcoated and despite it being on ABC Family, the series shows us the real-life challenges that teenagers are facing. These characters are just regular people, not upper class and each of them have their own set of problems.
The series primarily focuses on the life of teenager Amy Juergens (Shailene Woodley). Your typical girl next door. A 15-year-old who plays the French Horn in a band and part of a typical American family ala dysfunctional. During a summer at band cap, Amy met her high school band's "player" Rickey Underwood (Darren Kagasoff) and with one very quick one night stand, this teenager had her life change in ways she would never imagine.Amy has gotten pregnant and through each episode, we would see how Amy copes with her pregnancy, how she had to contend with morning sickness, becoming the talk of the school and even at one point, considering an abortion.
In the second season, Amy now must face the realization that she has responsibilities and that she can't depend on her parents for everything. But also major changes for each character as the season progresses.
Here is what is included on "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER - SEASON TWO" DVD (summaries, no spoilers):
DISC 1:
* EPISODE 12 - The Secret Wedding of the American Teenager - Because Amy is not ready for the responsibility of being a mother (and thinking her mother and father will automatically take care of the baby), she wants Ben to consider marrying her immediately via eloping (using fake ID's). Meanwhile, Amy's mother Anne requests a divorce from George and that he should move out of the house.
* EPISODE 13 - Baked Nevada - Both Amy and Ben's father are upset that their children tried to get married. Meanwhile, Adrian's father (who is a cop) tries to find out where the fake ID's came from.
* EPISODE 14 - The Father and the Son - Rickey's father comes to town and tells Amy's parents that his son can't be trusted and the bad blood between Rickey and his father is reborn. Meanwhile, Adrian's father tries to have his daughter keep away from Rickey.
* EPISODE 15 - That's Enough of That - Rickey tries to cope with his father's request to sell his and Amy's baby for money. Meanwhile, Amy can now find out the sex of her unborn child. And Jack serves his community service and discovers something big.
DISC 2:
* EPISODE 16 - Chocolate Cake - Amy talks to Rickey about putting the baby up for adoption. Meanwhile, George's co-worker (a gay couple) is interested in being adoptive parents. Meanwhile, Rickey upsets Ben and puts into his head that she wants the baby's father in her life.
* EPISODE 17 - Unforgiven - Amy and Ben have difficulties in their relationship and now Ben needs some time away from Amy. Meanwhile, Anne and George try to help Amy by looking for adoptive parents. Jack finds a new girl that he is interested in.
* EPISODE 18 - Making Up Is Hard to Do - Ashley is trying to find a way to get Amy and Ben back together. Meanwhile, Rickey causes problems during the adoption interview process. Adrian meets a guy who likes her for her and not for sex.
* EPISODE 19 - Money for Nothing, Chicks For Free - Anne tries to look for a job and Ashley meets a guy who is interested in her. Meanwhile, Jack gets himself into a little trouble.
DISC 3:
* EPISODE 20 - Maybe Baby - Ben's father wants Ben to know a big lesson about money and that if he wants to marry Amy and take care of a baby, he will need to make money on his own. Meanwhile, everyone comes to visit Amy and give her advice about the baby. And Amy makes a decision about her baby and if she's read to put the baby up for adoption or to keep it.
* EPISODE 21 - Whoomp! (There It Is) - It's Amy's baby shower but the problem is that she may be going into labor. Meanwhile, Grace makes a big decision in her life.
* EPISODE 22 - One Night at Band Camp - While Amy is in labor, she remembers the day that she and Rickey met.
* EPISODE 23 - And Unto Us a Child Is Born - Amy gives birth to her baby and Rickey comes to the full realization that he has a child. Amy's father moves out of the house and Ashley also makes a major decision with her life.
The main premise of "SEASON TWO" is Amy getting near the date she is to give birth but all the emotions she has to deal with. Having to take responsibilities as a mother, having to decide if she needs to give the baby up for adoption or keep the baby and how she will have two men in her life. Of course, each of the other characters have their own storylines and drama but every character is utilized well in this second season and I was quite impressed. The second season was just as touching, emotional and enjoyable as the first season.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
Fortunately, the series is in 16×9 widescreen and because it's a newer series, the overall series looks good on DVD. Audio selection is regular stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1. Primary audio is mostly dialogue but you will have music segments which utilizes your speakers more than anything. But dialogue is clear. And for music, very cool to hear Molly Ringwald sing the opening theme.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" comes with a few special features. Included are:
* "Secret Life (You and Me) by the Strange Familiar Music Video - (3:55) A ballad sung by The Strange Familiar featuring clips from "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" Season One.
* Character Secrets: The Cast Tells All - (10:09) Featuring interviews with the cast members of "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER". The cast members discuss their characters and their role in the series and also talk about their favorite characters in the series.
* Cast Close-Ups - Going behind-the-scenes of "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER". This is a section in which a young teen named Mikela gets to learn about the making of the TV show and interviewing crew members and cast members. The interviews featured are Mikela with:
- Shailene Woodley - (2:59) Interview with the the actress who plays Amy Juergens.
- Mark Derwin - (3:07) Interview with the actor who plays George Juergens.
- Molly Ringwald - (1:33) Interview with the actress who plays Anne Juergens.
- Megan Park - (2:37) Interview with the actress who plays Grace Kathleen Bowman.
- Daren Kagasoff - (3:06) Interview with the actor who plays Rickey Underwood.
- Greg Finley - (1:29) Interview with the actor who plays Jack Pappas.
- Ken Baumann - (1:12) Interview with the actor who plays Benjamin "Ben" Boykewich.
- India Eisley - (1:53) Interview with the actress who plays Ashley Juergens.
- Francia Raisa - (1:37) Interview with the actress who plays Adrian Lee.
JUDGMENT CALL:
"THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" was another enjoyable season that was just as solid as the first. Well-acted, awesome storyline and great how each character was utilized throughout the series and overall, a good balance of fun and teenage angst.
The characters are quite likable and pretty much what is happening with American teenagers today. These are characters and storylines that young people and parents can relate to.
The series does a great job at handling the character development of each character and of course, with topics focusing on sex and friendship but also ramifications that result from sex (one night stands, cheating, affairs, etc.). This second season goes further as Amy learns that having a baby is her responsibility and that her expectation of her parents taking care of the baby full time while she attends school goes out the window; Ben who is in love with Amy and ready to take care of the baby learns that his father won't share the wealth with him and he has to make money on his own but also having to realize that Rickey will need to be part of Amy's life whether he likes it or not; Grace who is the girl who practiced abstinence and wanted to wait for the right guy for marriage now contemplating sex; Adrian who always gets what she wants sexually now having to deal with meeting a guy who doesn't want to have sex with her but he likes her for her and not her body; Jack exploring relationships with women of different ethnicities and bad boy Rickey having a life changing moment when his abusive father returns to his life and when his baby is born.
This second season continues where the last season had left off but presenting real problems for these characters. And each actor portrays their character role remarkably well.
For the parents or adults watching this series, you'll recognize the parents of these teenagers. "THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER" features quite a bit of talent with 80's teen queen Molly Ringwald playing the character of Anne (Amy's mother); "Life with Bonnie" actor Mark Derwin as Amy's father George; "Melrose Place" actress Josie Bissett playing Grace's mother; "Smallville" and "Dukes of Hazard" actor John Schneider as Grace's father; "The Sopranos" actor Steve Schirripa as Ben's father Leo; "Ghostbusters" Ernie Hudson playing the part of Dr. Ken...Read more›

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The drama and secrets continue in the top rated second season of the hit ABC Family original series that has fans and critics buzzing all across America. Good girl band geek Amy is smart, talented and pregnant. That's just one of the secrets that Amy, her friends and family deal with in this poignant portrait of modern day high school life. Experience an award winning series overflowing with humor, heart and compassion.Bonus Features Include: Cast secrets revealed, exclusive music video of the Strange Familiar, behind the scenes with the cast, on set interviews

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Buff Moms-to-Be: The Early Workout Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this DVD without the benefit of a review, so I felt a little vulnerable about it. I am 20 weeks pregnant. I searched for DVDs that allowed me to do Pilates while still pregnant. Something about the reviews of those videos caused me to NOT want to get one. So I got this one, and I am VERY happy with it. It definitely works your muscles, but I never felt overly strained or exhausted. It's about 40 minutes, which is great. There is a warm up, a cardio portion, and then a warm down/strengthening portion. What I like about it is the instructor is not pregnant, but she has 2 pregnant women doing the exercises with her--a woman in her 2nd trimester and a woman in her 3rd trimester. And these women will show you the modifications that are recommended for women in those stages of pregnancy. I would definitely recommend this video for someone who is interested in staying fit during her pregnancy. You need weights, a chair, and some pillows, but all can be done in your home easily.

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Designed especially for pregnant women BUFF MOMS-TO-BE: THE EARLY WORKOUT helps get expectant mothers in good shape. This title features stretching and cardio exercises led by fitness guru Sue Fleming. These exercises will also help in the future mothers\' experience with childbirth.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre:HEALTH/FITNESS UPC:071083582363 Manufacturer No:5823-6

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Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates - Four DVD Pregnancy Series (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates Four DVD Pregnancy Series is meant to take women from conception all the way through pregnancy and delivery. The DVDs can be purchased individually or as a set:
DVD 1: Triple Threat: Get in Shape Before Your Pregnancy
DVD 2: Pilates for Pregnancy: Maintain strength and prepare for birth
DVD 3: Post Pregnancy & C-Section Recovery: Get your pre-pregnant body back
DVD 4: Exercises with Baby: Bond with your newborn and stay in shape
Jennifer's impressive resume includes distinctions such as Certified Pilates Instructor, Master Trainer, Labor and Post-Partum Support Doula, ACE and PMA, Gyrotonic, Gyrokinesis & Yoga certified. Her expertise, passion and compassion come through on all four DVDs.
DVD 1: Triple Threat is a fantastic workout for all women, not just those wanting to get pregnant. Combining the elements of Kickboxing and Pilates together, I sometimes forgot that this was supposed to be "Pilates" as for the majority of the workout I was standing and not lying. There is a concentrated abdominal portion of the video that takes some very advanced exercises, and my abs felt sufficiently worked at the end, as did my arms, legs, and back. I felt absolutely wonderful.
DVD 2: Pilates for Pregnancy: shows a very pregnant Jennifer leading a class with two other women, one who is demonstrating 1st and 2nd Trimester Modifications with Jennifer and the other model demonstrating 3rd Trimester. As neither model seemed to be pregnant, the modifications for each trimester could have been better demonstrated if each woman was working with one trimester. Because the second trimester involves so much transition, a first time mother might not realize that at times it would actually be more appropriate to follow the 3rd Trimester ladies rather than the 1st. That said, she does a great job of repeatedly reminding the mother to listen to her body, and take appropriate modifications.
DVD 3: Post Pregnancy & C-Section Recovery: An adorable post-pregnancy Jennifer demonstrates a fantastic workout for brand new mothers who have the luxury of taking time away from their baby. Before she gets into the workout though, Jennifer, 3 days post-partum and still in the hospital, gives new moms an idea of what they are in for, and some tips for recovery steps that can be taken while still in the hospital.
DVD 4: Exercises with Baby: is an incredibly challenging abdominal workout with baby. Jennifer demonstrates the whole workout with her 4 month old daughter, who is a full participant in the workout, occasionally trying to roll away as we all know our babies will do as soon as we put the DVD in.
Overall, this series is fantastic for new and expectant mothers. The only criticism I have is that, if I were to purchase this while pregnant, it wouldn't occur to me to watch the Post-pregnancy DVD until after the baby was born, and I would have missed out on the great "while in hospital" advice from Jennifer. I also think the triple threat workout could be used for anyone, pregnant or not, male or female. If you are thinking about getting pregnant, or know someone who is, the boxed set is a great bargain and, even if it's too late to get the "Triple Threat" in before pregnancy, it will be a great video for years to come.

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Everything You Need- Before, During and After PregnancyFOUR AMAZING DVD'S WITH EVERYTHING YOUR BODY NEEDS TO PREPARE, MAINTAIN AND RECOVER FROM PREGNANCY!The Fusion Pilates Pregnancy Series is best thing you can do for yourself and you baby.These four videos by leading pregnancy exercise expert Jennifer Gianni provide you with everything your body needs to prepare, maintain and recover from the traumatic effects of pregnancy. DVD ONE:FUSION PILATES TRIPLE THREAT: A dynamic combination of low impact cardio, Pilates toning and balance work. The three disciplines are intertwined in an intense workout that keeps the body guessing- and working.An informative introduction teaches the foundations of the Fusion Pilates basics so you get the most out of the Main Workout.This workout will get your body ready for pregnancy and is a great overall workout to keep anyone in top shape.DVD TWO:FUSION PILATES FOR PREGNANCY: Discover how yoga infused Pilates can keep you in shape during and after your pregnancy. Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates for Pregnancy is the first Pilates based workout designed to give pregnant women a challenging workout, without compromising safety. DVD THREE:FUSION PILATES FOR POST PREGNANCY AND C—SECTION RECOVERY: A MUST for getting back your pre-pregnant body.Includes real footage of Jennifer immediately after her C-Section offering tips on what to expect and how to care for yourself during your hospital stay.Also includes a SAFE First Six Weeks Exercise Plan, which will gently prepare you for Jennifer’s Main Post Pregnancy Workout.DVD FOUR:FUSION PILATES – EXERCISING WITH BABY: Get in shape, have fun and spend quality time with your baby.Fusion Pilates Exercise with Baby is a fun and varied program that lets your baby take part in this quick head to toe workout that’s great for busy moms.

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Teen Mom: Season 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the best seaon no one should compare the girls to Maci and the rest minus amber lol but love it there sweet girls and love watching there crazy lives! Farah is my fave girl she pretty taned and sweet!

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In 16 and Pregnant, they were moms-to-be. Now, follow Farrah, Maci, Amber, and Catelynn as they face the challenges of their first year of motherhood.
This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.\r\n
This disc is expected to play back in DVD Video "play only" devices, and may not play in other DVD devices, including recorders and PC drives. \r\n

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Sugar & Spice (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)Cheerleaders are an easy target. They're always happy, peppy and have high standards, both in their morals and in their men. Such is the case of the five women in "Sugar and Spice."
Everything is idyllic in their world... especially when the head cheerleader meets the transfer student quarterback! But after some extracurricular activity, there's a new student on the way. And after their parents collectively disown the kids for it, it's time to stop being polite and start getting a real job.
After suffering through minimum wage jobs while trying to continue to study, and dealing with a flophouse style home with a sketchy super and desperately needing to plan for their arriving bundle, the squad comes up with a plan: rob the bank where their pregnant partner is employed! And what a plan it is!
Complete with blond doll masks and star spangled outfits, the girls are set to pull their "Reservoir Dogs" routine. But can they get away with it?
As implausible as the plot is, it's equally engaging, as we follow the team attempting to plan out this perfect crime, in order to help their friend. It's got a lot of heart and charm!
Fans of the David E. Kelley TV series, "The Practice" will recognize Marla Sokoloff as the Cheer squad's main antagonist... but fans of J.J. Abrams TV series "Alias" might NOT recognize aussie actress Melissa George who here plays the squad member obsessed with Conan O'Brien!
The DVD has both the widescreen and the standard versions of the film, plus a couple of deleted scenes (which, quite frankly, were correctly left out of the final cut, but are interesting to see here). A talented and amusing cast, and a fun story... definitely recommended!

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16 & Pregnant, Season 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)The show is terrific. It sheds realism onto the difficult and controversial topic of teen pregnancy. Instead of irresponsibly trivializing the issue, "16 and Pregnant" focuses on the hard-core real-life drama of having a baby and raising it while still being a teenager. The episodes often have re-curring sub-topics, such as parental relationship to the pregnant teenager, finishing high school/earning a GED while pregnant, facing the intense demands of a screaming newborn, trying to keep your relationship going strong while coping with a child.....etcetera....the only downside to ordering the DVD, that you should expect ( I wish somebody had told me this before I ordered the DVD ) is not to see the episode "Unseen Moments: Season One". In the first season of "16 and Pregnant", we had six hour-long episodes sharing the stories of teen parents. After the last parent's episode, we had one episode that was the "Reunion Special" and we had the episode "Unseen Moments: Season One". "Reunion Special" IS included on the DVD, but the "Unseen Moments: Season One" episode is not. Kind of a drag, since technically it IS part of the first season. There are also no English subtitles, so some of the dialogue is difficult to understand.
As for a summary of the stories in Season One, here is a brief synopsis:
Episode #1: "Maci". Maci is an overachieving teen whose life heads in a whole new direction after she gets pregnant. Her fiancee, Ryan, is very immature and Maci is not sure if she can depend on him or not.
Episode #2: "Farrah". Farrah is a pregnant teen who risks losing her friends due to her pregnancy. She also has issues getting along with her parents and finding the right place for herself emotionally.
Episode #3: "Amber": Amber is an expectant teen who drops out of high school and moves in with her older boyfriend, Gary. The pregnancy and the animosity between themselves and their families threatens to destroy their relationship.
Episode #4: "Ebony": Ebony is a teen mom-to-be who is trying to maintain her high goals, along with her impending motherhood. She and her slacker fiancee, Josh, try to deal with making sacrifices in order to make their family work.
Episode #5: "Whitney": Whitney is a childish yet likable pregnant teen who is trying improve her living situation with her boyfriend, Weston, her mother ( who is also pregnant ), her mother's boyfriend, and her grandmother.
Episode #6: "Catelynn": Catelynn is an expectant teen from the wrong side of the tracks. She is fortunately in a good relationship with her boyfriend Tyler, but the couple faces the toughest decision of their lives-adoption-without their families' support.
Tough stuff. Emotional.
The "Reunion Special" episode is on the special features disc. It is a Q&A forum with the teen mothers and a live audience. It is very interesting and Dr. Drew Pinsky does a very good job of neutrally hosting it.
I would recommend this show to teen moms, young moms, or even anybody who knows a teen mom or a young mom. If I had watched this show as a teenager, I would have looked at it from a teenager's point of view, and the parents' opinions in the show probably would have annoyed me. But now I am an adult, and I can see both sides-the parents' points-of-view, and also the angst-ridden points-of-view from the teenage moms and their boyfriends.
Very good show. Just wish the DVD was better :-(

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MTV's 16 and Pregnant is an hour-long documentary series focusing on the controversial subject of teen pregnancy. Each episode follows a 5-7 month period in the life of a teenager as she navigates the bumpy terrain of adolescence, growing pains, rebellion, and coming of age; all while dealing with being pregnant. Each story offers a unique look into the wide variety of challenges pregnant teens face: marriage, adoption, religion, gossip, finances, rumors among the community, graduating high school, getting (or losing) a job. Faced with incredibly adult decisions, these girls are forced to sacrifice their teenage years and their high school experiences. But there is an optimism among them; they have the dedication to make their lives work, and to do as they see fit to provide the best for their babies.
This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.\r\n
This disc is expected to play back in DVD Video "play only" devices, and may not play in other DVD devices, including recorders and PC drives. \r\n

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The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season One Review

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(More customer reviews)I watched a few episodes of this show when there was a marathon running on ABC family. Can you believe that this show is on a FAMILY channel?
This show is NOTHING but a sex show, as EVERYTHING IS ABOUT SEX and revolves around it. It makes Sex and the City look tame. I was so shocked and disgusted. The characters play musical chairs with their lovers, and they aren't even LEGAL yet. I don't know about you, but I was a teenager only a couple of years ago and I knew very few people like this. We had a word for them and it certainly didn't include the words "American teenager." Even if some were sexually active, they were not this sexually active to the point of sleeping with a friend's ex-boyfriend, and their parents knowing about their activities.
This show portrays American teenagers in a horribly negative light, showcasing them as sex crazed and overly promiscuous people. I am ashamed that a show like this was able to be made, shown and promoted for young people to watch. Not to forget that the actors CANNOT act. How have Mayim Bialik aka Blossom and Molly Ringwald, two GOOD actresses, been reduced to star in this hack of a show?
I am in NO WAYS a prude, but having a show like this depicting and glorifying all types of sexual activity for teenagers is degrading. While the show does promote safe sex, a BETTER idea is to promote ABSTINENCE and NOT sleeping around with everyone. The show runs like a soap opera where everyone was at one time or another involved with every other character. There are all the elements of a trashy soap opera in it, with the exception that most of the major characters are in their teens and still in high school.
STAY AWAY!

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All secrets come to the surface in the fantastic first season of the hit ABC Family original series that has fans and critics buzzing all across America. Good-girl band geek Amy is smart, talented, and pregnant. That is just one of the many surprises facing Amy's friends and family in this poignant portrait of modern-day high school life. Experience an award-winning series overflowing with humor, heart, and compassion. THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER is hours of engaging entertainment. From the creator of 7th Heaven, Brenda HamptonWinner 2008 Teen Choice Award, Choice Summer TV Show. Number One cable series among teen and adult demos, Number One series on all television among teens. Source:NTI Coverage Area on 9/4/08, research data provided by ABC Family

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Then She Found Me (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)Released earlier this year, Baby Mama covers the same emotional territory but in much broader slapstick terms, while this 2008 serio-comedy is driven far more by character than situation. In this case, the protagonist is 39-year-old April Epner, a New York kindergarten teacher who was raised in a close-knit Jewish family and desperately wants the biological connection of a birth child before her alarm clock goes off. She marries fellow teacher Ben, an inarticulate schlub with a terminal case of the Peter Pan Syndrome. After a brief time, he wants out of the marriage, and at almost the same time, April's adoptive mother Trudy dies. Not even a month goes by before April's biological mother suddenly shows up in the form of the brazenly overbearing but genuinely likeable Bernice Graves, a cable talk-show hostess who is something of a local media celebrity. If life was not complicated enough, April also finds herself drawn to Frank, the single father of one of her pupils. Unlike Ben, he feels the same about April but is fighting his own bitterness about his own recent divorce.
Not only does Helen Hunt star as April, but she also co-wrote the screenplay with Alice Arlen and Victor Levin and makes her big-screen directorial debut. Granted she's more impressive as an actress than a filmmaker, but as a director and writer, she makes the most of a storyline that stacks the deck a bit like a Lifetime TV-movie. There are enough realistic surprises that take the plot off the rails in a good way. Looking gaunt and avoiding much make-up, Hunt is really playing a variation of the beaten-down waitress she played in As Good As It Gets, as she carries that same constantly pained expression of disappointment and looks about to explode during moments of emotional duress. However, a decade later, Hunt inhabits the character more naturalistically this time and with a deeper sense of vulnerability and haggard exhaustion. Perhaps to minimize any unnecessary dramatic risk, Hunt cast the other principal roles with actors playing familiar parts. Matthew Broderick effectively portrays Ben as the perpetually dazed man-child he is, while perennial love interest Colin Firth gives texture to the seemingly ideal suitor Frank, especially as he edges toward the breaking point in tolerating the sum of April's foibles.
In one of her increasingly rare screen appearances, Bette Midler gives a scene-stealing performance as Bernice. She lights up the movie with the character's unfettered sense of abandonment while gradually exposing the secrets that threaten to undermine her newly found relationship with her daughter. Other parts are played with minimum fuss - Ben Shenkman as April's physician brother Freddy feeling put-upon for having a biological tie to their mother, and Salman Rushdie (yes, the controversial author of The Satanic Verses which brought him a death sentence from the Ayatollah Khomeini in 1989) as April's doctor. Hunt provides the principal actors, especially herself, plenty of good, meaty scenes with opportunities for bravura moments, and they do deliver. It just doesn't quite come together as a whole by the end, and that may be that Hunt is so used to the sitcom format of the long-running series, Mad About You. The incomplete result is that some laughs feel a bit contrived, some scene transitions seem jarring, and some expected character revelations are given short shrift. Nonetheless, the dramatic developments toward the end carry the emotional impact necessary to make the movie truly affecting, and Hunt should be given full credit for a most auspicious debut as a filmmaker.

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An all-star cast with memorable performances by Helen Hunt, Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler and Colin Firth powers this smart, funny drama about love and destiny. Desperate to start a family, schoolteacher April Epner (Hunt) is thrown into confusion when she is unexpectedly abandoned by her husband (Broderick). She gets another shock when she meets her unusual birth mother (Midler), a self-centered talk show host who's not exactly the ideal mom. At first she rejects her, along with the attentions of a divorced dad (Firth), but then she begins to find her life opening up in ways she had never imagined.

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Inside (Unrated) (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)Well, I guess I can start off this review by saying that this is solid proof that Euro-Horror and it's director's are so far ahead of us Americans when it comes to the horror genre. While our studios are continuing to crank out remakes, and basically recycling stuff that have sat in the can for years - it are the European filmmakers who are out there whipping up new and imaginative ideas like they usually do.
From French Directing duo, Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury, comes INSIDE, a film that exploits a subject that surely has to be any mother's nightmare - having their child taken away from them. Now, I suppose that this would be hard for any mother, regardless the age of the child - but it has to be that much harder when the child is still in womb. In the film, we watch the main character go through the trauma of losing her husband to a crash. After the aftermath of the situation, she still keeps her sanity, just knowing that a piece of him remains, in the form of their unborn. What the Directors do here, is, well....wreck that sanity she has left, and they do it brutally. There is a mysterious woman hell bent on claiming Sarah's baby as her own. Whether she's have to kill Sarah, or just blatantly extract it from her womb, she is bound to finally become a mother herself.
INSIDE is definitely a thrill ride from the beginning to end....it's one of those "you'll never see what's coming next" kind of films. I must say that the realistic gore in the film is just fantastic and brutal, it adds more tension to any already intense situation - but the fact of the matter is that through the course of this film we watch an innocent woman(Sarah) go through absolute hell, while fighting to keep her and her beloved child alive,
The production value and direction here are great, and really capture all of the tense moments. For the most part, the film has but only one location, which is Sarah's house. I have always said that the one location thing could be a disaster (Bug (Special Edition) anyone?), but if they're handled correctly. a primary set could be the best thing to happen to a film. In the case of INSIDE, having one location works out very well as in conveys the feeling of being trapped from the point of view of our victim. And like many films of the same type. you do expect everything to dull down after awhile, but truth is, once this film gets to the subject of it's plot, there are very few dull moments, as the special effects alone are enough to have you glued to your seat. And another thing about the film is it's visual effects - I loved the CGI shots of the baby in the womb.
In the end, there's a reason that INSIDE was released under the DIMENSION EXTREME label; it is extreme, violent, brutal and just about every other adjective that you can think to call it - the scary thing is that the film's subject is one that could happen anywhere in the world or any day of the week.

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Four months after pregnant Sara loses her husband in a horrific auto accident, she is visited on Christmas Eve by a mysterious madwoman. Alone and desperate to save her unborn child, Sara fights to stay alive as each of her potential rescuers die at the womans sadistic hands.

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Leisa Hart's FitMama - Prenatal Workout Review

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(More customer reviews)I own almost two dozen aerobic and strength training videos. Some offer challenging workouts. Others were a waste of time and money. Fit Mama is my first pregnancy video (although this will be my third child). IT IS EXCELLENT! Here is a summary:
INTRODUCTION - Leisa Hart first tells you what to expect in her video. She explains that the abdominal exercises have been modified to prevent the vertical muscles, the recti abdominis, from separating during pregnancy. Guidelines from the American College of OBGyNs are listed. Leisa recommends a frequency of 3 to 4 times per week, but completing one section at a time vs. the entire 60 minutes fit my schedule better.
SALSA (20 min) - The setting is bare: one large room with hardwood floors and two glass paneled doors in back. The participants are separated into groups. Leisa, in her third trimester, stands in the center. On her left are two women in their second trimester. Two women in their first trimester are on her right. All movements in the Salsa portion of the tape, such as the mambo cha-cha-cha, are acceptable for moms at any stage. I salsa on carpet and find it sometimes tough to slide. When Leisa introduces a new move, she performs it twice, then asks you to join her. Her arm cues make it easy to follow along. She frequently asks, "How do you feel?" so that you can monitor your intensity level.
YOGA FAT BURN (20 min) - This section helped ease my lower back pain. Leisa focuses on breathing techniques and stresses correct knee placement. In the Warrior position, the moms in the first tri put their hand on the floor, second tri put forearm to thigh, and Leisa places her hand on her thigh. But she suggest you do the position most comfortable for you. They complete 3 repetitions for each side.
LABOR AND DELIVERY PREP (6 min) - Yoga ball and strap are optional. I had neither, but performed the exercises, like Kegels, with no trouble. Different variations for the ab exercises match the stage of pregnancy.
PRENATAL STRETCH AND RELAX (8 min) - This sections includes cat stretches, breathing techniques, and positions for each stage of pregnancy. Leisa inserts helpful tips, such as the importance of laying on your left side to get nutrients to the baby.

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Buns of Steel instructor Leisa Hart continues to create dynamic programs that are safe, fun and effective to get you the results you deserve! Her warm, approachable personality and impeccable cueing has motivated millions to embrace exercise. As an ACE and AFAA certified instructor with over 19 years fitness industry experience, Leisa specializes in Prenatal Exercise, Lifestyle & Weight Management, Yoga and Toning.Prenatal exercise will help you:- Ease back pain - Improve digestion - Avoid calf cramps - Increase energy levels - Avoid excessive weight gain - Ease emotional highs and lows - Prepare for labor and delivery - Bond with your baby - Bounce back more quickly after deliveryStay fit through each stage of your pregnancy with International Fitness Expert and expectant mom Leisa Hart. This innovative method helped her stay fit and energetic during her first pregnancy. FitMama Prenatal Workout follows the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. Leisa will help you increase your self-confidence with your changing body and feel great from conception to delivery!

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Bringing Baby Home: The Ultimate Baby Care DVD (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)This newborn care DVD is strictly for caring for a newborn infant, in other words, what you learn here won't apply after the first 3 or 4 weeks. My biggest beef with this DVD is that it totally just skims over all the basics, such as how to breastfeed properly, how to bottlefeed properly, how to swaddle properly, how to calm a baby properly, etc. All the stuff you want to know about looking after a newborn, each is given about 5 seconds of screen time. Instead, the bulk of the program is wasted on things like "pre-birth preparation," which interestingly appears toward the end of the program, and how the mother should take care of herself. These are important things to know, but not for a "ultimate baby care DVD."
The DVD packaging is also very misleading. It says "over an hour of hints"... but that includes 1 minute of copyright warning and another 30 seconds of "you should always consult your doctor" warning, plus a long end-of-program credit. The actual content is about 55 minutes.
I've seen this DVD and the "ABC of Newborn Baby Care" DVD and even though the latter is not great, it's better because it goes through the important topics step-by-step, and the nurse/midwife demonstrates the techniques clearly. Between the two DVDs, I definitely recommend the latter.
BTW, you can likely find this at your local library. It's also available from Netflix. It's just not worth the price of the DVD, not even 1/10 of the price.

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Bringing Baby Home is the ultimate how-to baby care DVD. Featuring over 100 topics, the DVD combines expert advice, step-by-step demonstrations and lots of mom-tested tips.Winner of a prestigious 2005 Parents' Choice Approved Award, the DVD deals with four themes: the basics, feeding, hygiene and sleep and coping. Like a prenatal class on DVD. Great for dads who don't want to read books on baby care. The DVD features real newborns, parents and baby care experts - no actors!

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The Business of Being Born (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)The film does a good job of explaining the "intervention cycle" that is so common in medicalized births--the mother is hooked up to intravenous tubes and all sorts of technology, and thus there is inevitable pressure to use (or misuse that technology). Anesthetics, which are supposed to ease the pain, lead to slowdown in the birth process, which leads to more intervention (pitocin etc.) and oftentimes to "crisis" into which the physician steps to save the day. The film gives a fair amount of attention to the power of the physician over against the mother in medicalized birth. The portrayal of the respectful and extremely helpful manner in which home birth midwives work comes across very well.
We give the film a four-star rating instead of five for several reasons. We think it does not do quite well enough at explaining the reasons why home birthers do certain things--for example, why they often choose water birth. Why husbands/partners might not wear a shirt when assisting the mother. Why the home setting is generally superior to the hospital setting in terms of exposure to dangerous microbes. There are good reasons for all these things, but they're not really explained in the film.
We think the film dwells excessively on the experiences of the director (Cara) and upon Ricki Lake. It's fine to have these folks profiled in the film we just think they take too much screen time that could have been better used educate people further about non-medicalized birth. This is one reason that the film starts to languish a bit in the second half. Some of the language used on the film (casual swearing) will be unnecessarily offensive to many home birthers and potential home birthers. The film did not mention the religious reasons some people choose home birth (we'd have loved to see interviews with Amish home birthers, for example). We did think the contributions of Michael Odent, Ina Gaskin, and the other midwives (and the back-up doctor) were portrayed very well.
We have had six home births (four with well-trained midwives). Our midwives definitely went the extra mile for us, and were genuinely interested not only in "getting the baby out" but in all aspects of prenatal, delivery, and early infant care. They were extremely generous in their time and expertise. In terms of theoretical and practical knowledge, our trained midwives were the equal if not superior to the typical birth-attending physician. This perspective comes across pretty well on the film.
All in all, this is a good film. It could be quite a bit better in terms of explaining non-medicalized birth to people who are unfamiliar with it. But it's a good start and we recommend it to anyone interested in the topic.

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BUSINESS OF BEING BORN - DVD Movie

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Complete Pregnancy Fitness with Erin O'Brien (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I normally cannot stand work out videos but knew I should do something besides walking to keep my fitness level up. I was pleasantly surprised by this video.
1. Erin O'Brien is not irritatingly peppy, but realistic and down to earth. There is very little excess dialogue, which I appreciated. She imparts just the right amount of info and throws in a few extras about physiology and anatomy, which I appreciated. Plus there are water and pee breaks! ( which I really needed)
2. The workout is probably best suited for someone who has done a few classes before and has at least a moderate level of fitness. But I suppose a beginner could simply watch it a few times before attempting if it were a bit too fast paced for them. She adds modifications for times when the heart rate is too high, which is nice. I thought at first it would be too easy for me, but oops. It got me! (in a good way, of course)
3. The workout is complete, I thought, especially given it's timeframe of only 40 minutes. That includes a short stretching session afterwards, which made me feel really good.
4. The production value was great -judicious amount of camera angle changes and fades, making it easy to copy her body mechanics. Simple set-an average, well lit living room. All the props she used were standard furniture. I had to make some small adaptations but all were easily accomplished.
5. Best of all-unobtrusive music, used mostly to provide rhythm. No trendy production, no silly distracting lyrics, just background percussion oriented music at a nice soft volume (Although I really dislike the music that plays for the menu, but that doesn't matter)
OVERALL: I highly recommend this work out video and look forward to using the post-natal DVD as well.

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Product DescriptionAn efficient, supportive training program for the big day and your new lifeWhether you re a regular exerciser who wants to stay fit or newly committed to exercise for your health and your baby s, Hollywood trainer Erin O Brien offers you safe and effective workouts that can take you every step of the way.This box set includes both of these programs (also sold separately):PRENATAL FITNESS FIX While seven months pregnant with her second child, Erin leads you in a 40-minute blend of fat-burning cardio, muscle toning, strength training, and tension-relieving stretches. Also includes a 20-minute partner workout, which Erin demonstrates with her husband, actor James Denton (Desperate Housewives). "This is the one that will make you sweat. It's also amusing and entertaining"Chicago Tribune. POSTNATAL RESCUE Ease back into exercise with Erin s 3 invigorating progressions. In just 15 minutes a day, rehabilitate your back, abdominals, buttocks, inner thighs, and hips. With a bonus section of gentle first stretches, Erin guides you from the very beginning of your recovery up to one year postpartum. Erin O Brien has 10 years of experience as a pre/postnatal exercise specialist working in elite fitness clubs in New York City and Los Angeles. She holds several certifications, including one in pre/postnatal training from the Esquerre Fitness Group. Consult your doctor before attempting these routines or any other fitness program.

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National Geographic - In the Womb (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)We have 4 kids and have another one on the way. The kids had some questions that covered a broad range. (what does the baby look like now to how will it come out) We sat all four of them down (ages 3 to 11) in front of it. They all enjoyed it and got their questions answered better than we had answered them. Good Show from National Geographic - 5 stars

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From the moment of conception, every human embryo embarks on an incredible nine month journey of development. Now, cutting-edge technology makes it possible for National Geographic's In the Womb to open a window into the hidden world of the fetus and explore each trimester in amazing new detail. Revolutionary imagery sheds light on the delicate, dark world of a fetus as never before.

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