Book Chapters

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Chapter 1: Preparing for pregnancy

Up-to-date, evidence-based information about the things you can control that will keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy, including:

• When should you start preparing for pregnancy?
• Vitamin supplements and medications
• What happens in a pre-pregnancy health check?
• Optimising pre-existing medical conditions and mental health before pregnancy
• How long does it take to fall pregnant?

Chapter 2: Early pregnancy

Pregnancy is an adventure, and the better prepared you are, the better the outcomes.

• What does it feel like to be pregnant?
• Exercising safely in pregnancy (by Beatrice Peters, physiotherapist, fitness instructor and health coach)
• What will happen at your first GP visit?
• What can go wrong in early pregnancy?
• Safe remedies for tiredness and morning sickness

Chapter 3: Blood tests, ultrasounds and genetic testing in early pregnancy

Why do you need so many tests and what are they all for?

• Common blood tests ordered by your GP
• When can you have your first ultrasound scan?
• Screening for abnormalities
• When can you find out the sex of your baby?

Chapter 4: Hospitals and obstetricians

This chapter discusses your options to help you decide on the medical care you’d like during pregnancy, birth and beyond.

• Public hospitals, obstetricians and models of care
• Private hospitals and obstetricians
• Costs

Chapter 5: The second trimester

Weeks 12 to 28 are often the most enjoyable of all.

• Can you still travel?
• Do you need maternity wear and underwear?
• What can go wrong in the second trimester?
• A word on mother’s/parent’s guilt

Chapter 6: Shopping for baby

Helpful observations for navigating the overwhelming retail world of baby items.

• Pink or blue vs unisex
• What do you need? (car restraints, cots/bassinets, prams/strollers, baby baths, change tables, baby monitors, clothes, nappies/wipes, toys, nappy bags, breastfeeding station, baby feeding equipment, laundry goods)
• Non-essential but helpful items

Chapter 7: The third trimester

The final weeks of pregnancy are full of excitement and preparation.

• When should you go on maternity leave?
• When should you pack your bags and what do you need to pack?
• Whooping cough/pertussis vaccination
• What happens in labour?
• Pain relief options
• What problems can happen in the third trimester?

Chapter 8: Your hospital stay

Monitoring you and your baby after the huge event of childbirth.

• What do first-time parents need to be on the lookout for?
• When are you going to be sent home?

Chapter 9: Coming home with a new baby

Welcome to parenthood! The first few weeks at home will be life-changing.

• Everyone wants to visit the new baby
• Keeping the germs away
• Postnatal depression

Chapter 10: Coping with loss and illness

Sadly not all pregnancies progress to a happy ending.

• Who to turn to for help
• Unexpected outcomes

Chapter 11: Feeding your baby

Joanna Molloy, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, guides you through nourishing your new baby.

• Breastfeeding and lactation
• Bottle feeding
• How do you know what your baby wants?
• Feeding a premature baby

 

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