What to Expect Before You're Expecting

By Heidi Murkoff

Book Overview

Announcing the prequel. From Heidi Murkoff, author of America's bestselling pregnancy and parenting books, comes the must-have guide every expectant couple needs before they even conceive--the first step in What to Expect: What to Expect Before You're Expecting . An estimated 11 million couples in the U.S. are currently trying to conceive, and medical groups now recommend that all hopeful parents plan for baby-making at least three months before they begin trying. And who better to guide wanna-be moms and dads step-by-step through the preconception (and conception) process than Heidi Murkoff? It's all here. Everything couples need to know before sperm and egg meet up. Packed with the same kind of reassuring, empathetic, and practical information and advice and tips that readers have come to expect from What to Expect, only sooner. Which baby-friendly foods to order up (say yes to yams) and which fertility-busters to avoid (see you later, saturated fat); lifestyle adjustments that you'll want to make (cut back on cocktails and caffeine) and those you can probably skip (that switch to boxers). How to pinpoint ovulation, time lovemaking, keep on-demand sex sexy, and separate conception fact (it takes the average couple up to 12 months to make a baby) from myth (position matters). Plus, when to seek help and the latest on fertility treatments--from medications and IVF to surrogacy and more. Complete with a fill-in fertility journal to keep track of the babymaking adventure and special tips throughout for hopeful dads. Next step? What to Expect When You're Expecting , of course.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761152768
• ISBN13: 9780761152767
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: Workman Pub Co
• Length: 275 Pages
• Weight: 1.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Great Reference Tool!

My husband and I are TTC and had a lot of questions. When he and I plan anything, we are almost too obsessed with learning everything about it! This book is a great reference for those starting to plan a pregnancy. Even now, we refer back to the book for answering little questions that pop up along the way!

A Useful Reference

We've been trying to have a baby for a couple of years now, and I thought it was time that I made sure that I was as educated as I thought I was about conception. I definitely learned a few things from this book. This is a book you can skip around in easily, because not all of the topics are going to apply to everyone. It's informational without being dry and boring. There is also information here for the man you are trying to conceive with. I especially appreciated that the book acknowledged that not everyone can get pregnant at the drop of a hat, and addressed different options that are available. I'll definitely be holding on to this to refer to from time to time.

Very helpful

I found this book very helpful. I was comforted by the author's words and it helped me realise what I need to do to prepare my body for a baby.

Great book

I began reading this book as soon as I received it. This book has been full of facts I wasn't aware of. I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about trying to have a baby.

Getting a good idea!

When my fiance and I began talking about starting a family, I realized that I knew the basics of how things work, but I didn't know much about conception, and all those important factors to factor in before trying to have a baby. This book was fantastic!!!! It's a great starter to planning for pregnancy!!! You'll learn about ways to improve your diet without completely changing it, and how your body works naturally to bring you and your partner together during your most fertile times. There's chapters on charting your ovulation with kits, and also how to predict when your ovulating by paying attention to your body's natural functions!! This is a must read for the couple contemplating having a baby!