Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic by Martha Beck is an extraordinary book that is recommended without hesitation.  Although the mother in the book is expecting a child with Down syndrome, anyone who has ever considered parenthood or had a child herself would enjoy Beck's story.  As one critic wrote, it is not a "lemons-into-lemonade saga," but rather a convincing appeal to see life from a unique perspective.  Another critic commented, "I challenge any reader not to be moved by [this book]."  I do, too.

Choosing Naia: A Family's Journey, written by Mitchell Zuckoff, details the emotional struggles faced by a real-life couple, Greg and Tierney Fairchild, when a routine ultrasound reveals that the fetus Tierney carries has a severe heart defect.  Making matters worse, the nature of the heart defect causes doctors to strongly suspect the baby has Down syndrome.  The book carries the reader through the Fairchilds choice to have their baby, their baby's birth and fight for life before her open-heart surgery, the surgery itself, as well the barriers confronted by the Fairchilds on behalf of their daughter for all the days of their lives. 

Babies with Down Syndrome: A New Parents' Guide is written by "a knowledgeable group of parents, doctors, nurses, educators and lawyers who cover everything parents need to know about raising their child in an environment of love, pride and achievement."  It is an honest, upbeat and readable guide. 

The Heart of a Child: What Families Need to Know About Heart Disorders in Children, written by doctors Catherine A. Neill and Edward B. Clark, and registered nurse Carleen Clark, provides comprehensive and current information from leading medical experts on children's heart problems.  Included are:  new and updated information on the genetics of heart defects, including syndromes associated with heart defect; descriptions of new approaches to treatment, including surgery and medication; advice on how to deal with managed care; information about advances in prenatal care; an updated list of Web sites, resources and further reading for families and friends; and a note to grandparents.  The text includes also includes diagrams.