DAnthony Ward - The Couples Pregnancy Guide: How to Navigate Pregnancy and Childbirth as a Team

Acknowledgments

First, we have to acknowledge Taj and Aaliyah. Beyond the obvious of not being able to write this book without them being here, they are a joy to raise. The experience of parenting them has taught us more about ourselves than we could have ever imagined, and for that we are th ankful.

We would not be here today if it werent for the amazing love, support, and contributions of our family and friends. Raising children is a series of trial and error, and the saying It takes a village to raise a child could not be more true. Whether being physically involved or just sharing experiences, we are thankful for all those who have given their time in the support of our children and our journey as parents. Special thanks to the Brown family and Jelks family for contributing their personal experiences to help enrich th is book.

About the Authors

DANTHONY WARD is a social media influencer, YouTuber, filmmaker, and the owner of the inspirational clothing brand Create Dope Humans. DAnthony has worked to disrupt FOMO culture by encouraging his audience to slow down, celebrate the simple things, and appreciate the every day. He is committed to tackling outdated stereotypes around fatherhood, marriage, and parenting. Visit him at thedadvlog.com, on Instagram @dad_vlog, and at createdopehumans.com.

RACHEL WARD helps young people define and achieve their career goals through program development, mentoring, and coaching. She guides young, diverse leaders to showcase their talents and break into challenging industries where they have been historically underrepresented. She also serves on the board of directors of educational STEM nonprofits and passionately identifies ways to advocate for the next generation. As a career-driven mom, Rachel actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. Follow her on Instagram @heyrachelward.

DAnthony and Rachel live in Atlanta with their two children, Taj and Aaliyah. This is the couples first book to gether.

Hi there,

We hope you enjoyed The Couples' Pregnancy Guide . If you have any questions or concerns about your book, or have received a damaged copy, please contact customerservice@penguinrandomhouse.com . Were here and happy to help.

Also, please consider writing a review on your favorite retailers website to let others know what you thought of t he book!

Si ncerely, The Zeitge ist Team

Resources

WEEKS 14: FROM PERIOD TO PREGNANT

Whats Physically Happening ()

Ovulation Tracker App: Clue Period & Cycle Tracker (helloclue.com)

Ovulation Home Tests: Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test

Fertility Struggles, Pregnancy Loss, and Difficult News ()

Resolve: The National Infertility Association, Find a Support Group, resolve.org/get-help/find-a-support-group

Postpartum Support International, Loss & Grief in Pregnancy & Postpartum, postpartum.net/get-help/loss-grief-in-pregnancy-postpartum

WEEKS 58: TAKING STOCK

Whats Physically Happening ()

Weekly Baby Development Videos: Consumer Health Digest, Pregnancy Week by Week, YouTube series, youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdGeMxFseBldYVCWOl0bGXPXz6gSwo9AS

BabyCenter My Pregnancy Today App

WEEKS 1822: CHECKLISTS AND CLASSES

When Finances Feel Tight ()

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Breastfeeding: Why It Matters, cdc.gov/breastfeeding/about-breastfeeding/why-it-matters.html

WEEKS 2327: REGISTRY, BABYMOON, AND PEDIATRICIANS

Gestational Diabetes Test ()

Catherine Donaldson-Evans, What to Eat Before the Glucose Test for Best Results, What to Expect, September 17, 2021, whattoexpect.com/wom/pregnancy/3-secret-ways-to-pass-the-glucose-test-your-doctor-may-not-tell-you-about.aspx

WEEKS 3235: NESTING AND DOCUMENTING

Documenting ()

Mama Bump Rentals: mamabumprentals.com

WEEKS 3640: LAST-MINUTE PREPARATIONS

Advocate, Advocate, Advocate ()

4Kira4Moms: 4kira4moms.com

CHILDBIRTH: LABOR AND DELIVERY

Team Toolbox ()

Contraction Apps: Full TermContraction Timer; Contraction Timer & Counter 9m

POSTPARTUM: THE NEWBORN STAGE

Baby Feeding ()

Bumble Baby: bumblebabychicago.com

Postpartum Depression ()

Postpartum Support International: postpartum.net; hotline 1-800-944-4773

Mayo Clinic, Postpartum Depression, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20376617

Georgetown University School of Nursing, Postpartum Depression: Signs and Resources for Help, June 25, 2019, online.nursing.georgetown.edu/blog/postpartum-depression-resources

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. FAQs: Prenatal Genetic Screening Tests, acog.org/womens-health/faqs/prenatal-genetic-screening-tests.

Cleveland Clinic, Fetal Development: Stages of Growth, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/7247-fetal-development-stages-of-growth.

Cleveland Clinic, Midwife, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22648-midwife.

Cleveland Clinic, Pregnancy: Ovulating, Conception & Getting Pregnant, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11585-pregnancy-ovulation-conception--getting-pregnant.

Jamila Taylor, Anna Bernstein, Thomas Waldrop, and Vina Smith-Ramakrishnan, The Worsening U.S. Maternal Health Crisis in Three Graphs, Century Foundation, March 2, 2022, tcf.org/content/commentary/worsening-u-s-maternal-health-crisis-three-graphs/?agreed=1.

Kenneth J. Gruber, Susan H. Cupito, and Christina F. Dobson, Impact of Doulas on Healthy Birth Outcomes, Journal of Perinatal Education 22, no. 1 (Winter 2013): 4958. doi: 10.1891/1058-1243.22.1.49.

Mayo Clinic, First Trimester Screening, mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/first-trimester-screening/about/pac-20394169.

Mayo Clinic, Labor and Delivery, Postpartum Care, mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/stages-of-labor/art-20046545.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Pregnancy Discrimination, eeoc.gov/pregnancy-discrimination.

World Population Review, Child Care Costs by State 2022, worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/child-care-costs-by-state.