Women's Health Information

Pregnancy

Healthy Beginnings, 4th edition

Healthy Beginnings is the ultimate step-by-step guide to pregnancy and childbirth. From preconception to postnatal care, Healthy Beginnings is a premier resource for mothers-to-be, mothers and caregivers alike, creating an accessible guide with the most up-to-date expert maternal information.

In the waiting room or at home, Healthy Beginnings answers hundreds of questions and concerns about pregnancy and birth. It provides an array of helpful tips and tools for women so they can make the most out of their medical appointments and so that they have the information they need to give their babies a healthy start in life. The book provides readers with a better understanding of how a body prepares for birth, and what a growing baby needs. According to international research, this knowledge has been shown to make a big difference in how well a pregnancy progresses and how healthy a newborn will be.

Chapter highlights

Planning a healthy pregnancy includes a unique focus on preconception. Most women understand how important it is to take good care of themselves and their unborn child once they are pregnant. What you may not realize is what you eat and how you keep fit before you become pregnant will also make a difference to you and your unborn child. This chapter addresses key topics such as nutrition – what you should and should not eat during pregnancy. It discusses lifestyle, sexual history, birth control, smoking, and alcohol. It also provides insight on when to consult your health-care provider.

Off to a great start: the first trimester is focused on the first 13 weeks following conception. You can expect to read about weight gain, exercise, travel, sex, types of tests to expect, and tips on everything from morning sickness to seat belt safety.

Gentle growth: the second trimester covers content that is particularly relevant for the 15th to the 25th weeks from conception, the point at which your pregnancy is considered to be well-established. This chapter includes key information on preterm labour, gestational diabetes, and common discomforts during the second trimester.

The home stretch: the third trimester, addresses the final weeks before childbirth. This chapter will provide you with valuable insight about what to expect in hospital, writing your birth plan, and myths and facts about breastfeeding.

Getting ready to give birth is a chapter that essentially serves as a final run-through before you go into labour and delivery. It will encourage you to think about what you should pack for yourself and the baby, common ‘late discomforts’ that you may be experiencing, and will address the topic of overdue babies.

Your time is here offers step-by-step guidance through the four stages of labour and delivery, covering everything from medications, irregularities, complications, worst case scenarios, and bonding with your new baby.

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important thing you can do for your new baby. Looking after a newborn is far easier if you’re well-rested and healthy. So, this chapter will focus on “healing” physically and emotionally after the stress and strain of your pregnancy. Discussed in this chapter are postpartum topics such as the baby blues, postpartum depression, birth control choices, and having sex again.

Taking care of your newborn is often a task many parents (especially first-time parents) may not have prepared for because they sometimes get so focused on the birth.  This chapter provides advice to take you through the first few weeks following the birth of your baby The appearance of newborns, basic first care steps, breastfeeding advice, baby vaccines, circumcision, colic, and pacifiers are all covered.

Finding help. This final chapter rounds out the book with a comprehensive resource guide including a list of credible organizations, websites, suggested reading, and DVDs.

Throughout each chapter, there are journaling pages to help you keep track of information, emotions, and ideas during this special time of your life. Healthy Beginnings contains illustrations, photographs, charts, and checklists to help moms-to-be prepare for pregnancy, navigate through each trimester, work through childbirth, and confidently assume the new parenting role.

For additional information, visit the Healthy Beginnings website

Last Updated April 27, 2009