Before Your Pregnancy

Before Your Pregnancy Synopsis

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

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