You're trying to have a baby, but it's not happening the way you
planned. Now what?
You dream of having a baby. You just never dreamed conceiving would be
so difficult. Or you never expected to have a high-risk pregnancy. Here
is a sensitive guide to the medical and emotional landscape of these
conditions, written by a nurse and medical writer who battled
infertility and difficult pregnancies herself, and emerged with three
healthy children. The second edition of this book was the winner of the
prestigious Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Health Book. This revised
third edition includes the latest information on
- state-of-the-art fertility tests, along with treatments ranging from
improved in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to updated drug combinations and
dosages
- advances in genetic testing, including screening for hereditary
abnormalities, Downs syndrome and neural tube defects
- using the Internet to find support groups, adoption networks,
cryobanks and other helpful resources
The first part of the book focuses on infertility: causes and symptoms,
female and male fertility tests, the latest reproductive technologies
and alternative methods of conception such as surrogate parenting. The
second section covers all aspects of high-risk pregnancy, including
dealing with prolonged bed rest and the use of medications to prevent
preterm labor. A special chapter addresses birth defects and sudden
infant death syndrome (SIDS). The book includes vital new information on
amniocentesis; miscarriage; premature birth; and delivery options,
including vacuum-assisted delivery, cesareans and vaginal birth after
cesarean.
Woven with illuminating personal stories, Getting Pregnant and Staying
Pregnant will give you the thoughtful, practical advice you need to
help make your dream of parenthood come true.
