Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth

Pregnancy and birth are as ordinary and extraordinary as breathing, thinking, or loving. But as soon as you announce you're expecting, you may be bombarded with advice from every angle -- well-meaning friends, relatives, medical professionals, even strangers want to weigh in on what you should or shouldn't do, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by their conflicting recommendations. Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth will help you sort fact from fiction, giving you the most accurate research, up-to-date information, and the firsthand experiences of numerous women who have been exactly where you are today. You'll get the tools you need to take care of yourself and your baby during and after your pregnancy, from tips on eating well during pregnancy to strategies for coping with stress and depression. Learn everything you need to know about:

Boston Women's Health Book Collective

Introduction THE JOURNEY TO PARENTHOOD1. Approaching Birth with Confidence 2. Choosing Your Health Care Provider and Birth Setting 3. Preparing for Childbirth YOUR PREGNANCY 4. Your Developing Pregnancy and Prenatal Care 5. Taking Care of Yourself 6. Relationships, Sex, and Emotional Support 7. Prenatal Testing 8. Special Concerns During Pregnancy 9. Childbearing Loss GIVING BIRTH 10. Labor and Birth 11. Coping with Pain 12. Special Concerns During Labor and Birth 13. Cesarean Births BECOMING A MOTHER 14. Your Physical Recovery and Your Newborn 15. Feeding Your Baby 16. Life as a New Mother KNOWLEDGE IS POWER 17. Advocating for Better Maternity Care 18. Advocating for Mothers and Families Resources Authorship and Acknowledgments About the Contributors Disclosures Index