Table of Contents
Introduction ix
Chapter 1 Preparing for Pregnancy 1
Note to Future Fathers and Co-parents 2
Are You Ready for a Baby? Questions to Explore 2
Get Fit and Healthy 4
Get Emotionally Ready 8
Fertility Issues 9
Conclusion 9
Chapter 2 Now That You're Pregnant 11
Becoming Pregnant 12
When Will Your Baby Be Born? 13
What Happens during Pregnancy? 14
Note to Fathers and Partners 19
Special Concerns You May Have 21
Chapter 3 Health Care during Pregnancy 25
Prenatal Care 26
Note to Fathers and Partners 29
When Should You Call Your Doctor or Midwife? 29
Possible Pregnancy Problems 30
Chapter 4 Staying Healthy during Pregnancy 35
Note to Fathers and Partners 36
Eat Well during Pregnancy 36
Exercise to Stay Healthy 40
Have a Healthy Lifestyle 42
Avoid Harmful Substances 44
Manage Common Pregnancy Discomforts 47
Chapter 5 Preparing for Birth 51
What Choices Do You Have? 52
Choosing Your Childbirth Classes 52
Planning Your Baby's Birth 53
Taking a Tour of Your Hospital or Birth Center 56
Note to Fathers and Partners 56
Packing Your Bag for the Hospital or Birth Center 57
Birth Plan 58
Chapter 6 Having Your Baby: Labor and Birth 61
Late Pregnancy: How Labor Begins 62
Stages of Labor 62
How Do You Know You're in Labor? 64
Getting through the First Stage of Labor 67
Birth of the Baby: Second Stage of Labor 74
Delivery of the Placenta: Third Stage of Labor 76
The First Hours after Birth 76
Note to Fathers and Partners 77
Chapter 7 What about Pain during Labor? 79
What Causes Labor Pain? 80
Note to Fathers and Partners 80
Skills for Coping with Childbirth Pain 81
Ways to Cope with Back Pain and Slow Labor 91
Thinking about Pain Medication 93
Pain Medicines Used during Childbirth 94
Ways to Reduce the Amount of Pain Medicine Used 97
Chapter 8 Challenging Labors and Cesarean Birth 99
Starting Labor 100
Short, Fast Labor 102
Long, Slow Labor 104
Cesarean Birth 107
Note to Fathers and Partners 113
Conclusion 113
Chapter 9 Home with Your New Baby 115
Going Home 116
Caring for Yourself 117
Help and Support 122
Staying Healthy after the Birth 123
Your Feelings and Emotions 126
Family Planning and Sex after the Birth 128
Having a Baby Changes Your Life 129
Note to Fathers and Partners 131
Chapter 10 Feeding Your Baby 133
When to Feed Your Baby 134
Breastfeeding 137
Note to Fathers and Partners 145
Pumping and Storing Breast Milk 145
Using a Bottle 147
Formula Feeding 149
Conclusion 149
Chapter 11 Caring for Your Baby 151
Learning about Your Baby 152
Your Baby's Daily Care 156
How to Comfort Your Crying Baby 161
Your Baby's Steep 163
Keeping Your Baby Healthy and Safe 165
Your Baby's Growth and Development 170
Note to Fathers and Partners 171
A Note to Families Having Another Baby 172
Resources 175
Glossary 181
Index 190
Road Map of Labor 196