Robin Elise Weiss - The Everything Getting Pregnant Book

The EVERYTHING Getting Pregnant Book

Dear Reader:

So you are thinking that maybe you are ready to add a baby to your family. This is such a great time of learning about your body and the process of conception and pregnancy. It can really bring you together as a family.

For many of you reading this book, your journey toward having a baby will be simple and straightfor ward. You will use this book to learn how to prepare your body and your mind for conception and a healthy pregnancy. You can even learn information on how to try to time a pregnancy to lend more convenience to your life (though remember what they say about the best-laid plans!). This book will walk you through step by step.

Perhaps your fertility journey will not be as straightfor ward. You may find that you experience problems conceiving. Whether these range from ver y small and easily fixable problems to larger problems that require high-tech solutions, you will find information in this book as well. You will learn what type of testing and treatment is often required and how to find the right specialist to help you have the baby youve been dreaming about.

I hope you enjoy the journey toward having your baby that you will achieve by learning during this special period in your life. I also hope that your journey is a smooth one. Feel free to drop me a line and show off your baby pictures at www.robineliseweiss.com.

Have a happy and healthy birth!

The EVERYTHINGM Series

Editorial

Production

Visit the entire Everything Series at everything.com

THE
EVERYTHING
GETTING
PREGNANT
BOOK

Professional, reassuring advice
to help you conceive

Robin Elise Weiss, Certified Childbirth Educator

Copyright 2004, F+W Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions
are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Media, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc.
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com
ISBN 10: 1-59337-034-2
ISBN 13: 978-1-59337-034-3
eISBN 13: 978-1-44052-279-6
Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F E

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Weiss, Robin Elise.
The everything getting pregnant book / Robin Elise Weiss.
p. cm.

(Everything series book)
ISBN 1-59337-034-2
1. Infertility Treatment. 2. Conception. 3. Pregnancy.
4. Preconception care. I. Title. II. Series: Everything series.
RC889.W39 2004
616.6'92 dc22 2003020366

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the
American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

The Everything Getting Pregnant Book is intended as a reference volume only, not as a medical manual. In light of the complex, individual, and specific nature of health problems, this book is not intended to replace professional medical advice. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions in this book are intended to supplement, not replace, the advice of a trained medical professional. Consult your physician before adopting the suggestions in this book, as well as about any condition that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The authors and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, call 1-800-289-0963.

To my dear friends: April, Eve, Jean, Kim, and Sharon

Contents

Acknowledgments

The topic of fertility and infertility is one of a personal nature. Therefore I have been blessed to have so many people share their stories with me, including personal details of their struggles on the road to parenthood.

I want to thank the many mothers and fathers who took the time to share with me, these personal and triumphant stories with all the peaks and valleys. Without these families and shared experiences I would not have been able to explore the intensity of this topic. Many thanks go to:

Kim, who shared every single minute detail of her cycles with me, from the injections to the actual egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Thank you for allowing me to be one of the first people to hold your oocytes as you walked this path.

Dr. Nakajima and Dr. Carrillo, for allowing me to tour their facility and see how the inside of a fertility clinic is run. Your kindness, generosity, and standards of patient care are constantly amazing. You and your staff are truly extraordinary.

Jean, for sharing with me her desires for pregnancy and pregnancies, and for allowing me to be present at the birth of her last two miracles! You are a strong and amazing woman who has taught me so much.

The Wednesday afternoon crowd including Marcy, Beth, Frances, Heidi, Bill, and the rest of the moms and dads for sharing your fertility and birth stories. The personal insight you gave me really helped a lot in expressing the depth of this topic.

All of my online friends and confidants, including April and Sharon, you completely amaze me and keep my feet grounded.

Eve, for sharing the miracle of birth with me, over and over again.

Carol, my mother, for giving birth to me and sharing that passion with me.

Amanda, my sister, for being gracious about being born second and allowing me to share her miracles with her.

I am grateful for my miracles, Hilary, Benjamin, Isaac, Lilah, Owen, and Clara, who arrived just when I needed them, even if I didnt know when or how that was.

Most of all, much love goes to Kevin, who walked with me down the path to parenthood. Even during the bumpy times, you were there to hold me and dry my tears. Thank you for also being there to hold my hand and wipe my brow as our miracles were born.