Pregnancy and Birth: Your Questions Answered - Softcover

Reynolds, Karina; Lees, Christoph; McCartan, Grainne

3.73

33 ratings by Goodreads

9780756626105: Pregnancy and Birth: Your Questions Answered

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0756626102 ISBN 13: 9780756626105

Publisher: DK, 2007

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A valuable resource for prospective parents furnishes timely, informative answers to hundreds of questions dealing with every aspect of pregnancy and childbirth, covering from conception and labor to the first six weeks of a newborn infant's life. Original.

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About the Author:

Christoph Lees is a consultant in Obstetrics & Maternal-Fetal Medicine. His special interest is the diagnosis and treatment of high-risk pregnancies.

Introduction

Without a doubt, having a baby is one of the most exciting, challenging, and life-changing experiences that life offers women. Having a healthy, happy baby is all-important, and you want the best advice and care for you and your baby. However, pregnancy and childbirth are uncharted territory for new mothers-to-be and their partners, who suddenly find that they need to understand and decide on vital issues such as prenatal care, what types of pain relief to use in labor, and where and how to have your baby.

Changing attitudes to Childbirth

The medical approach to childbirth has changed dramatically during the last few years, particularly in the developed world. Traditionally, until the 1950s, most births took place in the home, but with the advent of structured prenatal care for all women, by the 1960s most births were taking place in the hospital. Now we are seeing a swing away from the largely medical management of childbirth and toward the use of natural methods, prenatal care is moving away from complete (and often impersonal) hospital supervision and toward total care by a midwife, and there is an increase in the number of women wanting, and having, a home birth. Understandably, with such major changes in approach to childbirth, women today may be uncertain as to what is best in pregnancy and childbirth.

What this book aims to provide

One thing is certain: women are now playing a much greater part in making choices about many aspects of their pregnancies and labors. Doctors and midwives are increasingly giving women the chance to decide what they want. And to make an informed decision, whether it is about invasive tests, pain relief, or induction of labor, women need to be aware of all the facts.

In the past, women have been confronted by a barrage of conflicting and, at times, unreliable information from different sources. This book aims, in a simple question-and-answer format, to provide a source of detailed, balanced, and up-to-date information so that, armed with knowledge and confidence, women can assess, decide, and take a more active part in planning their pregnancies and labors -- working with (not against) their professional carers.

Easily accessible information

The book is divided into chapters, beginning with preconception advice on preparation for pregnancy, fertility problems, and early pregnancy. Chapter 2 describes your choices in prenatal care. In Chapter 3, we explain in detail how your baby develops. Chapter 4 outlines what happens to your body during pregnancy, and also gives an indication of some of the emotional changes that you may experience. Advice on diet and keeping fit during your pregnancy is covered in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 outlines potential problems that may arise during pregnancy. Labor and birth are discussed in Chapter 7. The final chapter offers practical advice on coping during the first six weeks of your baby's life.

Throughout the book, each question is answered with equal seriousness; on some issues, however, there are discussion point boxes where controversial or difficult ideas or approaches are outlined further. Wherever possible, the advice given is explanatory, rather than dictatorial, and the reader is provided with cross-references to further sources of information, in order to give you informed choices.

Who are the authors?

This book is written from the collective professional and personal knowledge of two specialist obstetricians and one midwife, and we are well aware that each pregnancy is a unique and special experience. We also recognize that there are many ways of doing things -- even in medical procedures. The book's questions and answers reflect some of the many queries (from the highly technical to the emotional) that we are frequently asked on a daily basis by pregnant women and by women in labor.

We hope that all mothers-to-be and their partners who read this book will find the guidance they need to help them toward a happier, healthier pregnancy and labor.

Christoph Lees, MD
Karina Reynolds, MD
Grainne McCartan

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