Paula Ford-martin - The Only Pregnancy Book Youll Ever Need: An Expectant Moms Guide to Everything

Avon, Massachusetts

Congratulations! Youre pregnant! This is one of the most special and memorable times in your life. You probably have a lot of questions about the whole process, but The Only Pregnancy Book Youll Ever Need has everything youll need to know while preparing for your little ones arrival, with expert advice that will guide and comfort you each step of this exciting journey.

Right now, you may be feeling a little overwhelmedafter all, youre bringing a new life into the world, and it seems like there are a thousand things you need to do before the big day. Theres prenatal care, finding a pediatrician, baby furniture, choosing a name preparing for those sleepless nights. No problem! This in-depth guide will take you through each stage of your pregnancy, from your first trimester to labor and beyond, giving you candid information on what you should anticipate as the weeks go by. No doubt your friends and family are giving you conflicting advice about what you should and shouldnt do, eat, and buy, but The Only Pregnancy Book Youll Ever Need is the one-stop resource for whats best for you and your baby.

Youll learn how to cope with morning sickness, fatigue, and food cravings; emotional stress; and your body changing as the baby inside you begins to grow and flourish, among many other things. Need help choosing a birth plan? Find out how to decide which path is best for you and your baby. No idea what to buy to make your home baby-friendly? Youll find information on how to baby proof your house and what kind of car seat and stroller is best for you. Worried about what labor will be like? Ease your fears by being prepared with information on every possible birth scenario.

Use the checklists and worksheets provided to help keep organized throughout every milestone, from the first neonatal doctors appointment to your first hospital walk through. Keep track of your eating habits and what to eat so you and your baby are in tiptop shape. Also learn what exercises are the most beneficial for a mom-to-be. And this book isnt just for moms, dad-to-be will learn everything he needs to know to be ready for the babys arrival.

No detail is too small when preparing for your little miracle. There are so many beautiful moments awaiting you, and The Only Pregnancy Book Youll Ever Need will help make your pregnancy a happy and healthy one.

Congratulations! After youve confirmed the good news that youre pregnant, you can begin to prepare for your pregnancy and beyond. You may be on cloud nine and picking out nursery patterns, or you may be in a state of shock wondering how youre going to handle it all.

Relax. Youre normal. Everyone reacts differently for pregnancy. Preparing yourself for the road ahead is the best way to overcome your fears and get a realistic picture of what pregnancy, and motherhood, entails. Youll need to research health-care provider options (from traditional to alternative practitioners), choose a health-care provider, and begin taking prenatal vitamins to provide your baby with a healthy start.

Even if you have a picture-perfect pregnancy, you will be seeing a lot of your health-care provider over the next nine months. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that women see their providers:

• Every four weeks through the first twenty-eight weeks of pregnancy (about seven months)
• Once every two to three weeks between twenty-nine and thirty-six weeks
• Every week after thirty-six weeks

If you have any conditions that put you in a high-risk category, such as diabetes or a history of preterm labor, your provider may want to see you more frequently to monitor your progress.

Who should guide you on this odyssey? If you currently see a gynecologist or family practice doctor who also has an obstetric practice, he or she may be a good choice. If you dont have that choice, or would like to explore your options, consider the following health-care professionals.

• OB-GYN: An obstetrician and gynecologist is a medical doctor (MD) who has received specialized training in womens health and reproductive medicine.
• Perinatologist: If you have a chronic health condition, you may see a perinatologistan ob-gyn who specializes in overseeing high-risk pregnancies.
• Midwife: There are certified nurse-midwives licensed to practice in all fifty states. They provide patient-focused care throughout pregnancy, labor, and delivery.
• Nurse practitioner: A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced medical education and training (at minimum, a masters degree).
• Combined practice: Some obstetric practices blend midwives, NPs, and MDs, with the choice (or sometimes the requirement) of seeing one or more throughout your pregnancy.

A doula is a pregnancy and birth support person who cannot replace any of the above professionals, but who can provide emotional assistance to both the mom-to-be and her family. Doulas can assist you at any point in pregnancy, from preconception to postpartum. Because doulas tend to work with a variety of physicians and midwives in many different settings, they may also be helpful in providing information on places and providers as you plan your birth experience.

Whether its your first or your fifth, this pregnancy is a one-time-only performance. You deserve the best support in seeing it through. Talk to the experts and get referrals. Ask for referrals from the following:

• Friends
• Family members
• State or county medical board
• Patient services department of nearby hospitals and/or birthing centers
• Labor and delivery programs of nearby hospitals and/or birthing centers
• Medical centers
• American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: www.acog.org
• The American College of Nurse-Midwives: www.midwife.org

Once youve collected names and phone numbers, narrowed down your list of potential providers, and verified that they accept (and are accepted by) your health insurance plan, its time to do some legwork. Sit down with your partner and talk about your biggest questions, concerns, and expectations. Then compile a list of provider interview questions. Some issues to consider:

• What are the costs and payment options? If your health plan doesnt provide full coverage, find out how much the remaining fees will run and whether installment plans are available.