Robin Elise Weiss LCCE - The Complete Illustrated Pregnancy Companion: A Week-by-Week Guide to Everything You Need To Do for a Healthy Pregnancy

For my familyeach and every one of you is a blessing in my life.

Robin

To my wife Tammy whose constant support and encouragement made this book possible for other mothers.

Marcello

A Week-by-Week Guide
to Everything You Need to Do
for a Healthy Pregnancy

Robin Elise Weiss, L.C.C.E., C.D. (DONA)
with Dr. Marcello Pietrantoni, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Text 2009 by Robin Elise Weiss and Marcello Pietrantoni, M.D.

First published in the USA in 2009 by Fair Winds Press, a member of Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly, MA 01915-6101
www.fairwindspress.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

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ISBN-13: 978-1-59233-358-5
ISBN-10: 1-59233-358-3

Digital edition: 978-1-61673-443-5
Softcover edition: 978-1-59233-358-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available

Cover and book design: HOLTZ DESIGN
Photography: www.alamy.com : p. 4 (top), 64, 95, 98 (bottom), 118 (bottom), 120, 141, 142, 143, 148, 156, 161, 168, 176, 200 (bottom), 237, 244, 246, 248 (bottom), 249, 257, 260 (bottom), 282, 288, 303 (left); www.apimages.com : p. 26, 86; www.gettyimages.com : p. 8, 10 (top), 14, 16, 17, 20, 22, 24, 31, 35, 40, 42, 47, 48, 53, 73, 74, 78, 79, 94, 100, 106, 113, 116, 124 (bottom), 135, 139, 149, 154, 157, 164, 167, 170, 174, 175, 178, 183, 186 (bottom), 194, 195, 200 (top), 208, 209, 218 (bottom), 222, 226, 231, 255, 258, 263, 264, 285, 303 (right), 305; www.istockphoto.com : p. 4 (bottom), 10 (bottom), 13, 25, 29, 30, 32, 36, 38, 44, 50, 54, 56, 58, 76, 82, 84 (bottom), 87, 88, 91, 96, 102, 105, 110, 112 (bottom), 122, 126, 128, 136, 144, 150, 152, 153, 158, 190, 204, 210, 213, 216, 218 (top), 234, 252, 254 (bottom), 262; www.photoresearchers.com : p. 4 (bottom), 5 (top), 7, 19, 28, 34, 37, 46, 52, 60, 62, 66, 70, 72, 80, 84 (top), 90, 92, 98 (top), 104, 109, 112 (top), 118 (top), 124 (top), 130, 131, 132, 138, 146, 160, 162, 163, 166, 172, 180, 184, 186 (top), 192, 198, 202, 206, 212, 224, 228, 230, 236, 240, 242, 248 (top), 251, 254 (top), 260 (top), 266, 276, 281

Courtesy of Medela Inc., p. 201; courtesy of www.ababy.com , p. 215; courtesy of Motherwear Intl, p. 219.

Printed and bound in Singapore

The information in this book is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a physician or medical practitioner. Please see your health care provider before beginning any new health program.

WELCOME TO YOUR PREGNANCY companion and instruction guide! This book is your week-by-week reference to forty of the most fascinating weeks of your life.

Each chapter of this book is dedicated to a week of your pregnancy. And each chapter kicks off with a handy Checklist, Baby Data about how your baby is growing, and Body Basics about how your body may be changing. Consider this section your crash course in pregnancy for the week. You can use it to sit down with your partner to review the week while you spend time talking and dreaming about the baby, or you might consider using it to update loved ones and friends on whats going on inside your body at this stage of development. Here you will also find a What to Watch For reference section to let you know things to watch out for each week.

After the crash course, youll find in-depth discussions about what matters most during each week: Pregnancy Particulars. In this section, youll read about issues that youre likely to discuss with your doctor or midwife that week and questions you should be asking about your prenatal care. This gives you a chance to look at all of your options and entertain various thoughts about them before deciding what will work best for you and your family.

In each chapter, youll also find Hot Mama tips to help you stay looking and feeling great during your pregnancy and after. From the maternity fashion scene to building a safe and comfortable nursery, youre covered here. Take a look at the latest and greatest maternity clothes, baby products, and must-have items for your pregnancy, baby, and nursery.

Some chapters also offer a Memorable Moment. These quotes came from women who have been there before you and wanted to share their wisdom and what they learned along to way.

You have probably been told that pregnancy is all about the beautiful process of growing a baby and how wonderful that process can be, only to have that followed with a lengthy list of what can go wrong. This can lead to a very frightening experience for many pregnant women and their families. Thats why each chapter of this book includes an affirmation or positive thought. This is meant to reassure you that millions of women have successfully come before you and that you too will get through this processfully prepared to welcome a healthy, gorgeous baby into your life. Try to incorporate these affirmations into your everyday life because they really can help soothe you and focus your attention. Each week, you may want to tape the new affirmation someplace you will see it every day, such as on your bathroom mirror. Say the affirmation aloud and quietly to yourself throughout the day to help ingrain its message.

CHECKLIST FOR WEEK 1

[ ] Select a prenatal vitamin.

[ ] Plan your preconceptional health visit.

[ ] Decide if you need genetic counseling.

[ ] Define your philosophy of prenatal care.

[ ] Start developing a comprehensive list of your family medical history.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK

Bleeding or spotting: Red or brown bleeding or spotting when it is not expected could be a sign of problems with your menstrual cycle. When reported to your practitioner early, any potential problems can be addressed.

One-sided pain: One-sided pain in your abdomen can indicate the presence of an ovarian cyst, which might interfere with conception attempts, or it could simply be an indication of ovulation.

Irregular menstrual cycles: Menstrual irregularities can be long or short cycles or cycles where you experience breakthrough bleeding or bleeding at any point other than when your period is expected. Because these can impede your ability to get pregnant, you should see your midwife or doctor for further information. Report any strange or troublesome symptoms to your practitioner immediately