Pregnancy For Dummies - Softcover

Stone, Joanne; Eddleman, Keith; Duenwald, Mary

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0764544837 ISBN 13: 9780764544835

Publisher: For Dummies, 2004

Synopsis

Congratulations! If you’re already pregnant, you’re about to embark upon one of the most exciting adventures of your life. The next year or so is going to be filled with tremendous changes and – hopefully – unbelievable happiness. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant, you’re probably excited at the prospect and a little nervous at the same time.

Pregnancy For Dummies, 2nd Edition, gives you the information you’re looking for if you are considering pregnancy, planning to have a baby, or already pregnant. This guide is also for you if

• You are the partner of the mother-to-be.
• You know and love someone who is or plans to be pregnant.
• You want to find out more about pregnancy but have no interest in becoming an expert on the topic.

Is it okay to dye your hair when you are pregnant? How about eating sushi? Pregnancy should be a joy, not a worry. Pregnancy For Dummies, 2nd Edition, addresses commonly asked questions; clears up myths; and offers solid advice from real, medically based data. Take a look at just some of the reassuring and up-to-date information that can help you through your pregnancy:

• Advice on nutrition and staying fit and active during your pregnancy
• A trimester-by-trimester look at your baby's development. Find out what's normal – and what's not.
• New findings about the treatment of preterm labor and Down syndrome screening; available options for detecting various problems
• Discussions on Botox and smallpox
• What to expect during labor and delivery
• Recovering at home; postpartum depression
• The latest news on prenatal testing, premature and multiple births, anesthesia and cesarean deliveries
• Feeding the baby (breast or not?)
• When the unexpected happens: Recurrent miscarriages, late-pregnancy loss, fetal abnormalities

Authors Joanne Stone, M.D., and Keith Eddleman, M.D., are practicing obstetricians who are also board certified in the sub-specialty of maternal-fetal medicine (high-risk pregnancies). They also teach residents, medical students, and other doctors about pregnancy and prenatal care. Author Mary Murray is a writer and editor who specializes in medicine and science journalism. She is also the mother of twins.

About this title

Review:

This book's title sure sounds a little scary, but as its often-hilarious testimonials from first-time parents show, expectant parents frequently feel really stupid. Like the vast majority of For Dummies books, this one is supremely organized and indexed to help you find the answer to most any question, especially the embarrassing ones you may be reluctant to ask your doctor ("Is it okay to have sex in the last trimester?" "How long does it take the ugly conehead effect to go away after birth?") and the more serious ones ("Can I breast-feed while I'm on the Pill?").

Unlike many pregnancy books, this one has plenty of helpful information for the mother's partner, including ways to deal with vicious mood swings, helpful tips for preparing for childbirth class, and seven tricks for easing her labor pain--even if she's threatening that you'll never have sex again. Besides chapter after chapter of information about pregnancy's physical aspects and how to stay comfortable during the next 40 weeks, there's also plenty of advice on emotional issues--from learning how to say "hands off!" to the pesky people who want to rub your belly to coping with postpartum blues. Some readers may be offended by the book's slightly warped sense of humor (example: "breast engorgement really sucks"), but the authors never treat serious topics in an off-base way. The book's definitely geared toward first-time parents, but for moms and dads confused by the many new medical tests and modern options (such as the doula [pregnancy coach] dilemma or decision to freeze the baby's umbilical cord or not), there's a fine education to be had between this book's covers.

From the Back Cover:

Straightforward answers to the most common questions

With proven advice on everything from conception to breastfeeding

Each pregnancy raises the mother lode of questions – from how to eat right to what really goes on in the delivery room. Now fully revised and updated, Pregnancy For Dummies, 2nd Edition, is a friendly guide full of practical advice on everything parents-to-be need to know to make pregnancy a happy, healthy experience!

Praise for Pregnancy For Dummies

"The best, most comprehensive guide to pregnancy on the market."
– Manuel Alvarez, MD, Chairman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hackensack University Medical Center

"Authoritative and up-to-date . . . an encyclopedia’s worth of information, but in a truly accessible format."
– Northern California Parent

"Readers will find things in this book that are missing from most other pregnancy guides.
– Los Angeles Times

Discover how to:

• Find a great doctor
• Unravel the mystery of prenatal testing
• Take care of your body
• Help your partner through pregnancy
• Survive labor pains
• Care for your newborn

About this edition

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0764544837
• ISBN 13: 9780764544835
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 408