Mazel Sharon - What to Expect Before Youre Expecting

By Heidi Murkoff
and Sharon Mazel

Foreword by Charles J. Lockwood, M.D.

Chair, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine

WORKMAN PUBLISHING NEW YORK

To Emma and Wyatt, my greatest expectations
To Erik, my everything
To Arlene, with so much love, always and forever
To all the moms and dads, and babies everywhere

Copyright 2009 by What to Expect LLC
Design copyright by Workman Publishing
WHAT TO EXPECT is a registered trademark of What to Expect LLC.

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproducedmechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopyingwithout written permission of the publisher. Published simultaneously in Canada by Thomas Allen & Son Limited.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available
eISBN 9780761156321

Cover design: David Matt
Cover illustrations: Tim OBrien
Cover quilt photo: Gregory Case, gregorycase.com
Cover quilt design: Anna Sutton, bunnyhilldesigns.com
Interior illustrations: Karen Kuchar

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So, here I am againabout to deliver yet another book. Or should I say another baby. As Im pretty sure Ive pointed out before (about a hundred and seventy-two times), gestating a book is very much like gestating a baby (and I know this because Ive gestated both more than once). And not just for the obvious reasonsboth take a lot of work, both keep you up at night and get you up way too early in the morning, both can bring you joy one moment and stress the nextbut also because you cant (strictly speaking) create them by yourself.

My human babies, Emma and Wyatt, were created with the most wonderful man in the worldmy husband, best friend, soul mate, and partner in all things, Erik. My book babies, well, thats a team effort with a much bigger teamand this new baby is no exception. Some members are new to the What to Expect team, but many have been by my side since book one.

More than I can say, thanks to Arlene Eisenberg, my first partner in What to Expect and my most important one. Your legacy of caring, compassion, and integrity lives on forever; youll always be loved and always be remembered.

For all your valuable contributions, I thank:

Suzanne Rafer, my long hopefully-not-suffering-too-much editor, for talking me down, pumping me up, and letting me play with my words a lot. And more than that, for your friendship and xo, Suz.

Peter Workman, for giving What to Expect the very best publishing home, Workman Publishing (not to be confused with a publishing houselike they say, a house is not a home without some love, and no one loves publishing books like Peter). And Walter Weintz, for everything youand the whole sales teamdo for What to Expect, which is a lotbooks dont sell themselves, after all!

All of the rest of the What to Expect team (many more than I can name), including David Matt, for always getting itand somehow, always getting it on paper. You manage to make my artistic vision come to life, even before Ive figured out what it looks like. And for bringing us Tim OBriencreator of cover moms so radiant and babies so adorable that they almost make me want to run out and get pregnant again thanks, Tim.

Karen Kuchar, for clearly and beautifully illustrating the art and science of conception (and for making reproductive parts look so pretty!). Janet Parker, for thinking outside the design box, and to Barbara Peragine for fitting in all those boxes. Peggy Gannon for your flow mojoand for understanding (I hope) that I can never leave well enough alone. Julie Primavera and Monica McCready for your phenomenal production values (on time, on time, anddid I mention?on time). And my many wonderful friends at Workman, some old, some new, all treasured: Suzie Bolotin, David Schiller, Jenny Mandel, Page Edmunds, Emily Krasner, Kristin Matthews, Erin Klabunde, Pat Upton, Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, Melissa Possick, and Melissa Broder.

Sharon Mazel, for being the only person in the world (besides Erik) who can finish my sentences (which really comes in handy sometimes) and read my mind (which we both know is a scary thought, in more ways than one). You light up my life, and my AOL (a day without e-mail from you is a day without sunshinefortunately, those days are few and far between). Youre my partner in pun crime, my BFF, and my mini-meand I love you. Jay Mazel, as always, for filling in medical blanksand sharing more than half of your better half with me. Daniella, Arianne, Kira, and Sophia, for raising yourselves when your mom and I have a deadlinewhich, lets face it, is most of the time. How is it Ive watched you grow up, but never met you?

Dr. Charles Lockwood, our amazing medical adviser, for knowing it all (somehow, even before anyone else does), keeping us honest and accurate, and caring about pregnant women (and not-yet-pregnant women) as much as we do. Thanks for your insight, your wisdom, your eagle eye-for-medical detailand for all your invaluable contributions to team What to Expect.

Steven Petrow (my beloved MG), Vince Errico (dimples), Mike Keriakos (TBD), Ben Wolin (ditto), Jim Curtis (CSOB), the amazing (how do you do it all?) Sarah Hutter, Nancy Cross Schimmel, and all my other incredibly awesome friends at Waterfront Media, for making virtual miracles happen every day. I love you all! And to the remarkable community of moms and dads (especially our den moms and dads) that makes WhatToExpect.com my very favorite home away from homethanks for being part of the What to Expect family.

Marc Chamlin, for always being there for me, always protecting me, always caring for me, and always knowing when I need a little L&S (if you know what I mean, Marc), and Alan Nevins, for managing the unmanageable (is there anything you cant put on a spreadsheet?), putting out fires, cleaning up messes, and picking up piecesin short, for being the best agent a girl could ever have.

Molly Lyons and Fran Kritz for getting us just the facts, maam. All the doctors who have lent their preconception know-how, including Jeremy Groll, M.D., Frederick Licciardi, M.D., and Shahin Ghadir, M.D. And Dr. Howie Mandel, for always having time to talk obstetrics during my annuals (even though Im not pregnant). The marvelous Lisa Bernstein, who long ago shared my dream of healthy pregnancies and babies for alla dream that the What to Expect Foundation is making a reality for more and more moms (with the help of Energizer Bunny/mom of Bluebell, Ruth Turoff). And how could I forget Zoe, Oh-That-Teddy, and Dan Dubno?

Erik, the love of my life (in fact, I cant remember having a life before you, and couldnt imagine one without you), for taking care of business and taking care of me. One day, I promise: you, me, and a two-week vacation. Emma and Wyatt, for making me one very happy mama (how did I get so lucky twice?). I love you both so much.

My fabulous familyfather Howard Eisenberg, sister Sandee Hathaway (and Tim, Rachel, Ethan, and Liz), brother Evan Eisenberg (and Freda and Sara-Xing), Victor Shargai (and always, John Aniello), Abby and Norman Murkoff (the best MIL and FIL), and Deborah and Bob Wallfor your love and support.

ACOG, the CDC, the March of Dimes, and all the other health-care organizations that have recognized the importance of preconception prepand have committed to helping women and their partners have healthier pregnancies and healthier babies before they even start trying to become pregnant. As always, thanks, too, to all the doctors, midwives, and nurses who care for momsand wannabe moms. And speaking of which, heres to all moms and all dadspresent and future!