Everything expectant mums need to know, trimester by trimester
Both new and seasoned parents alike have questions and concerns over the course of the nine-month adventure. Pregnancy For Dummies offers comfort and reassurance while serving as a guide to what mother and baby experience before, during, and just after birth. Here, you'll find expert advice on diets and exercise when you're pregnant; guidance on following your baby's development, trimester by trimester; tips on how to prepare for the big day; techniques for taking care of yourself before and after delivery; and support for caring for a newborn baby.
Pregnancy For Dummies gives parents-to-be authoritative, friendly, up-to-date advice on every aspect of pregnancy and childbirth. This new edition offers all of the latest information expecting parents want to know, including medical and nutritional information and updated resources/changes in NHS practice, so that new mums will feel prepared and reassured ahead of the birth.
- A guide to what mother and baby experience before, during, and just after birth
- Helpful information on preparing for pregnancy
- Advice on diet and exercise during pregnancy
- Information on your rights and welfare benefits
- Guidance on how to care for a newborn baby
If you're an expectant mum looking for practical, down-to-earth guidance on what to expect before, during, and after pregnancy, Pregnancy For Dummies will keep you prepared and reassured every step along the way.
Autorentext
Dr Sarah Jarvis has been a GP for 20 years. She is the resident doctor on the BBC's The One Show, and a regular columnist for Good Housekeeping and My Weekly. Dr Roger Henderson has also been a GP for 20 years, and writes for The Sunday Times and the Sunday Mirror. He is also the medical consultant to the health website NetDoctor. Joanne Stone, MD, and Keith Eddleman, MD, are obstetrician-gynaecologists. Mary Duenwald is a veteran journalist.
Inhalt
Introduction 1
About This Book 1
Conventions Used in This Book 2
What You're Not to Read 2
Foolish Assumptions 3
How This Book Is Organised 3
Part I: The Game Plan 3
Part II: Pregnancy: A Drama in Three Acts 4
Part III: The Big Event: Labour, Delivery and Recovery 4
Part IV: Special Concerns 4
Part V: The Part of Tens 4
Appendix 5
Icons Used in This Book 5
Where to Go from Here 6
Part I: The Game Plan 7
Chapter 1: From Here to Maternity 9
Getting Ready to Get Pregnant: The Preconception Visit 9
Taking a look at your history 10
Evaluating your current health 11
Answering Commonly Asked Questions 12
Getting to your ideal body weight 12
Reviewing your medications 13
Considering herbal remedies and vitamin supplements 15
Recognising the importance of vaccinations and immunity 16
Quitting contraception 18
Introducing Sperm to Egg: Timing Is Everything 19
Pinpointing ovulation 20
Taking an effective (and fun) approach 21
Chapter 2: I Think I'm Pregnant! 23
Recognising the Signs of Pregnancy 23
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3 24
Getting an answer at home 24
Going to your GP for answers 25
Antenatal and Labour Care - What's Available? 25
Where to have your baby 25
Looking at your options: Private or NHS? 27
Who's Who? The Varying Roles of Health Care Professionals 28
Your GP 28
Your midwife 29
Independent midwives 29
Your obstetrician 29
Maternal-foetal medicine specialists 30
Your paediatrician 30
Your health visitor 30
Chapter 3: Preparing for Life during Pregnancy 31
Working Out Your Due Date 32
Planning Antenatal Visits 33
Preparing for Physical Changes 36
Spotting breast and bladder changes 36
Coping with mood swings 36
Living through leg cramps 37
Noticing vaginal discharge 37
Putting up with backaches 38
Handling stress.38
Understanding the Effects of Medications, Alcohol and Drugs on Your Baby 39
Taking medications 39
Smoking 40
Drinking alcohol 41
Using recreational/illicit drugs.41
Looking at Lifestyle Changes 43
Pampering yourself with beauty treatments 43
Relaxing (or not) in hot tubs, saunas or steam rooms 44
Travelling 45
Getting dental care 46
Having sex 47
Working during Pregnancy: A Different Type of Labour 48
Chapter 4: Checking Out Your Rights and Welfare Benefits 51
Your Rights When You're Having a Baby 52
Discrimination against pregnant women 52
Ordinary and additional maternity leave 52
Financial Benefits during Pregnancy 53
Statutory Maternity Pay 54
Maternity allowances 54
Sure Start Maternity Grants 55
You and your Mat B1 55
Entitlements as a New Parent 55
Child Benefit 55
Working Tax Credit 56
Child Tax Credit 56
Statutory Paternity Pay 56
Chapter 5: Diet and Exercise for the Expectant Mother 57
Looking at Healthy Weight Gain 57
Determining how much is enough 58
Avoiding weight obsession 59
Understanding your baby's weight gain 60
Taking Stock of What You're Taking In 61
Using a healthy eating pyramid 61
Supplementing your diet 63
Determining Which Foods Are Safe 65
Debunking popular food myths 65
Identifying potentially harmful foods 65
Considering Special Dietary Needs 68
Eating right, vegetarian-style 68
Combating constipation 68
Dealing with diabetes 69
Working Out for Two 69
Adapting to your body's changes 70
Exercising without overdoing it 71
Comparing forms of exercise 72
Part II: Pregnancy: A Drama in Three Acts 75
Chapter 6: The First Trimester 77
A New Life Takes Shape 77
Adapting to Pregnancy: Body Changes in the First Trimester 80
Breast changes 81
Fatigue 81
Any-time-of-day sickness 82
Bloating 83
Frequent urination 84
Headaches.84
Constipation 85
Cramps 85
Booking Baby In: Your First Antenatal Appointments 86
Understanding the consultation 86
Considering the physical examination 90
Looking at standard tests 90
Your booking appointment - now it's your turn! 93
Recognising Causes for Concern 94
Bleeding.94
Miscarriage 95
Ectopic pregnancy 97
Chapter 7: The Second Trimester 99
Discovering How Your Baby Is Developing 99
Understanding Your Changing Body 101
Forgetfulness and clumsiness 102
Wind 102
Hair and nail growth 102
Heartburn 103
Lower abdominal/groin pain 103
Nasal congestion 105
Nosebleeds and bleeding gums 105
Skin changes 105
Checking In: Antenatal Visits 107
Recognising Causes for Concern 107
Bleeding 107
Foetal abnormality 108
Incompetent cervix 108
Identifying other potential problems 109
Chapter 8: The Third Trimester 111
Your Baby Gets Ready for Birth 111
Movin' and shakin': Foetal movements 113
Flexing the breathing muscles 113
Hiccupping in utero 114
Keeping Up with Your Changing Body 114
Accidents and falls 114
Braxton-Hicks contractions 114
Carpal tunnel syndrome 116
Fatigue 116
Piles 117
Insomnia 118
Feeling the baby engage 118
Pregnancy rashes and itches 119
Preparing for breast-feeding 120
Sciatica 121
Shortness …