Before Your Pregnancy: A 90-Day Guide for Couples on How to Prepare for a Healthy Conception
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Book Overview
Now completely revised and updated, the classic guide that helps mothers- and fathers-to-be conceive more easily and boost the odds of a healthy pregnancy Covering preconception and interconception (between-pregnancy) well-being for women and men, Amy Ogle and Lisa Mazzullo draw on new research from their complementary fields of expertise and reveal how good preconception health can lower the risk of pregnancy complications and improve lifelong health. Why a ninety-day guide? It takes that long for sperm to mature, and at least that much time for the prospective mother to ensure that her body becomes pregnancy-ready. In a warm, intelligent style, the authors address up-to-date topics such as age, heredity, vaccinations, supplements, and weight. In easily accessible chapters, this guide covers such topics as - Nutrition: meal makeovers plus new facts (and fiction) about fish, omega-3s, vitamins, and herbs - Personal readiness: how to assess emotional, financial, and physical readiness, including a preconception-friendly exercise program, plus advice for avid athletes - Becoming an informed patient: choosing a doctor, insurance coverage, baby-friendly medications, and the latest genetic screening guidelines - Women's health: expanded coverage of gynecologic and medical conditions affecting fertility and pregnancy (including bariatric surgery and physical disabilities), and steps to create a welcoming womb by optimizing immune health - Environment: a roundup of environmental exposures and travel tips - Men's health: practical lifestyle advice for men to help maximize the number and health of sperm - Conception: clear signs that predict when to "start trying," and the truth behind common myths - Infertility: reassuring options for reproductive assistance - Interconception health: the best plan for pregnancy recovery, before trying for another - Resources: questionnaires for your preconception medical visit, and charts to track fertility signs
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0345518411
ISBN13:9780345518415
Release Date:May 2011
Publisher:Ballantine Books
Length:612 Pages
Weight:2.28 lbs.
Dimensions:1.2" x 7.4" x 9.2"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Excellent Book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
My husband and I bought this book a few months ago when we were getting ready to start trying to conceive, and we found it very informative without being too dry. It not only tells you what to do to start preparing (mentally and physically), but it tells you why. A really thorough look at vitamins and nutrition was my favorite part, along with a nice set of exercises that I should be doing more often now that we've conceived (!). This book gives you way more than the standard "quit drinking and smoking", although of course that advice is there too. Highly recommended.
The Best Book On Pre-Conception and Pregnancy Too!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
I am usually too lazy to bother to type reviews. However, I HAD to write on on this book. If you are like me in that you want from a pre-pregnancy/pregnancy book:- thoroughness- inclusiveness- reliability- readibilitythen you will not be disppointed by this book. I bought this first, before I conceived, to make sure that I was doing all I could/ should to prepare my body for pregnancy. This book addressed the whole range of issues related to this, and in a very clear, readable (lots of graphics to explain things) yet extremely authoritative manner. The authors have their credentials and this comes through clearly.I have very high expectations of books, especially when they are on such an important topic as pregnancy. Up-to-date info. is mandatory--not optional--and this books has it.After I became pregnant, I bought many other pregnancy books, but kept coming back to this one. The others are better for describing what is going on month-by-month, etc., but NONE are better for general medical reference info. For example, this is the only book I have found that breaks down herbs into 3 categories ("Safe During Pregnancy", "Herbs That Warrant Caution" and "Herbs to Avoid") and clasifies every major herb you are likely to encounter (in teas, body creams, etc.). They also describe common concerns/ probelms in a very user-friendly yet authoritative manner, and told me all I needed to know about continuing to exercise safely throughout pregnancy. Plus the tone of the book is very positive, reassuring and upbeat.I can't say enough about this book. It is my pregnancy bible.
The Best Book On Pre-Conception and Pregnancy Too!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
I am usually too lazy to bother to type reviews. However, I HAD to write on on this book. If you are like me in that you want from a pre-pregnancy/pregnancy book:- thoroughness- inclusiveness- reliability- readibilitythen you will not be disppointed by this book. I bought this first, before I conceived, to make sure that I was doing all I could/ should to prepare my body for pregnancy. This book addressed the whols range of issues related to this, and in a very clear, readable (lots of graphics to explain things) yet completely trustworthy manner. The authors have their credentials and this comes through clearly.I have very high expectations of books, especially when they are on such an important topic as pregnancy. Up-to-date info. is mandatory--not optional--and this books has it.After I became pregnant, I bought many other pregnancy books, but kept coming back to this one. The others are better for describing what is goig on month-by-month, etc., but NONE are better for medical info. For example, this is the only book I have found that breaks down herbs into 3 categories ("Safe During Pregnancy", "Herbs That Warrant Caution" and "Herbs to Avoid") and clasifies every major herb you are likely to encounter (in teas, body creams, etc.). They also describe common concerns/ probelms in a very user-friendly yet authoritative manner.I can't say enough about this book. It is my pregnancy bible.
Gettin' ready to have a baby
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
There is so much great info in this book that I don't think anyone should even THINK about getting pregnant without reading it first. I initially purchased "Before your Pregnancy" and the Dr. Sussman book (Before you Conceive). After reviewing both of them, I decided on this one due to its pleasant and reader-friendly format. It covers all aspects from family history to even what kind of herbal teas to stay away from. Definately have a highlighter handy to mark important stuff! The Dr. Sussman book is also very good, but I found it dedicated way to many chapters on genetics, family illnesses, and disorders. "Before your Pregnancy" gives a great deal of info on these topics also, but not an overkill. So if your on a budget like I am and can't afford to buy every book out there, this is a great book to buy. After reading this book, I feel very prepared to get started trying. I also recommend purchasing "Before..." with the Mother of All pregnancy...they go really good together.
Excellent Preconception Resource
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I highly recommend this book for anyone thinking about having a baby. There aren't very many preconception books to make you aware of what you need to know long before you get pregnant. "Before Your Pregnancy" is comprehensive, detailed, and easy to read. It includes scenarios of real people in real-life situations. One reviewer mentioned that it doesn't give you a thorough conception "how-to" guide, and she's basically right, but really, there are lots of conception guides. This book really fills the need for women and couples who want to plan a future child as carefully and conscientiously as possible, people who "want to have their ducks in a row." I found the information on vitamins and on physical health particularly informative. If you think you might start trying to conceive in 3 months or 6 months or even a year, buy this book to help you get the best start!!
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