Description
Your complete guide to having a healthy, happy pregnancy
This updated and expanded third edition of Pregnancy ForDummies offers mothers-to-be practical advice and expert guidance on every stage of their pregnancy — and beyond!
Understand what's happening with your baby and your body, and be guided through what to expect from labour, birth and becoming a new parent.
- Follow your baby's development — understand the changes you and your baby go through during all three trimesters
- Research your birth options — make informed choices that best suit your needs
- Care for your baby before birth — eat well and keep active during pregnancy
- Prepare for the birth of your baby — know what happens before, during and after labour
- Look after your newborn — find advice on breastfeeding and bringing your baby home
- Keep up with current issues —identify issues facing mothers today, such as returning to work or having children later in life
- Get expert advice on special situations — meet the challenges of multiple births, problems during pregnancy or miscarriage
Open the book and find:
- Ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant
- Clear illustrations of how the body changes during pregnancy
- Advice for managing pre-existing conditions during pregnancy
- Discussion about complementary and alternative therapies
- Simple explanations of your birth options
- Information about parental leave entitlements
- Websites to access further support
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: In the Beginning 7
Chapter 1: From Here to Maternity 9
Chapter 2: I Think I’m Pregnant 23
Chapter 3: Preparing for Life During Pregnancy 43
Chapter 4: Eating Well and Keeping Active During Pregnancy 65
Part II: The Pregnancy Trilogy: A Masterpiece in Progress 85
Chapter 5: The First Trimester 87
Chapter 6: The Second Trimester 117
Chapter 7: The Third Trimester 143
Part III: The Big Event: Labour, Birth and Beyond 189
Chapter 8: I Think I’m in Labour! 191
Chapter 9: The ‘Birth’ Day 227
Chapter 10: Hello, World! The Newborn 253
Chapter 11: Taking Care of Yourself After the Birth 281
Chapter 12: Feeding Your Baby 309
Part IV: Pregnancy and the Modern Woman 343
Chapter 13: Working During Pregnancy and Beyond 345
Chapter 14: Complementary and Alternative Medicine 361
Chapter 15: Important Issues for Today's World 377
Part V: Special Situations 391
Chapter 16: Multiple Blessings 393
Chapter 17: SOS: Helpful Information for Pregnancy Concerns 407
Chapter 18: If the Unexpected Happens 429
Part VI: The Part of Tens 437
Chapter 19: Ten Pregnancy and Birth Myths — Debunked 439
Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Get the Best from Your Midwife or Doctor 443
Index 449
