Contents
Preface
Introduction
MONTH ONE
A Preface to the Weekly Developments
East-West Fetal Development
Confirming Your Pregnancy
The Shock of the New
Nutrition
Insomnia
Depression and Anxiety
Fluid Changes: Bloating, Swollen Breasts, and Increased Urination
Vaginal Bleeding and Cramping
Cancer in Pregnancy
Bell’s Palsy
Epilepsy
Metallic Taste
Rhesus Factor (Rh Factor)
Living with Your Liver
Anatomy of a Prenatal Vitamin
Checklist for Month One
MONTH TWO
East-West Fetal Development
Ultrasounds
Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
Nausea and Vomiting
Diet for Morning Sickness
Lethargy and Sluggishness
Ptyalism (Drooling)
Keeping an Eye on Pregnancy
Nervousness about Genetic Testing
Gestational Diabetes
No Cons to Probiotics
Travel and X-Rays
Environmental Concerns
When to Announce Your Pregnancy
Preparing Birth Announcements
Checklist for Month Two
MONTH THREE
East-West Fetal Development
Constipation and Heartburn
Thyroid
Nasal Congestion, Snoring, and Nosebleeds
The Reality behind Feeling Fat
The Ins and Outs of Intercourse
Cold and Flu Facts and Prevention
Strep Throat
Fifth Disease
How to Quit Smoking
Checklist for Month Three
MONTH FOUR
East-West Fetal Development
Vaginal Fluids and Infections
Rearranging Your Sleeping Position
Childbirth Classes
Infant CPR
Baby Shower
Checklist for Month Four
MONTH FIVE
East-West Fetal Development
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Maternal Phenylketonuria
Shortness of Breath
Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Chicken Pox
Will and Guardian
Enlarged Shoe Size
Glucose Screening and Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Linea Nigra
Hemorrhoids
Gas and Bloating
Checklist for Month Five
MONTH SIX
East-West Fetal Development
Third Trimester Checkup
Body Art
Vascular Changes
Bleeding Gums
Leg Cramps
Anemia
Sickle Cell Disease
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Preeclampsia, and Edema
Babymoon
Pregnancy-Related Skin Conditions
Lyme Disease
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Pregnancy
Kick Counts
Fetal Hiccups
Checklist for Month Six
MONTH SEVEN
East-West Fetal Development
Asthma
Cystic Fibrosis
Syncope, Dizziness, and Fainting
Incontinence
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Vivid Dreams
Practical Baby Preparation
Birth Plan
Birthing Choices
Methods and Tools to Enhance Hospital or Home Births
Delivery Prep Strategies
Parenting Tips
Checklist for Month Seven
MONTH EIGHT
East-West Fetal Development
Bed Rest
Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis
Headaches
Baby’s Position
Real, Uncomfortable Weight Gain and Fatigue
Back, Sciatic, and Leg Pain
Differentiating Between Braxton-Hicks and Labor Contractions
Preterm Labor
The Art of Flattering Photos
Checklist for Month Eight
MONTH NINE
East-West Fetal Development
Hair and Nails
Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
Scoliosis
Multiple Sclerosis
Coming to Terms with Your Readiness
Nesting
Evaluating Birth Interventions
Group B Strep
Signs of Labor
A Note on Baby’s Size
Herpes Syndrome and Relevance to Birth
Cytomegalovirus
Checklist for Month Nine
MONTH TEN
Breastfeeding
Urinary Incontinence after Birth
Processing the Placenta
Postpartum Nutrition
General Postpartum Support Tips
Resources
Bibliography
Index
About the Author