Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn ─ The Complete Guide

Now completely updated, expanded, and redesigned, expecting couples will find the latest edition of this authoritative and complete pregnancy ?bible? to be more readable, more visually appealing, more accessible and, of course, the medical information and advice has been completely updated:

-Accessibility: We've used a magazine layout featuring more photos, illustrations, and boxed features to call attention to the most interesting and salient information.

-Readability: The book reads less like a prenatal training guide and more like an interesting, informative book about pregnancy and childbirth (actually, it's both). Readers will find lots of new boxed features, including ?Q&A? (containing frequently asked questions with answers); ?Two Views? (first person accounts by mothers who present opposing views about common childbirth issues); ?In Their Own Words? (mothers describe their experiences, e.g. with labor or discomfort or pain-relief drugs in their own words); ?Fact or Fiction?? (the authors present common misinformation and the facts); ?Advice from the Authors? (which presents precisely that).

-Attractive Layout: The new look is more graphic, more visual, and borrows proven techniques from magazines and newspapers to make reading and finding information easier and more productive.

-Updated Medical Information and Advice:

? Revised discussion on nutrition/serving sizes during pregnancy to reflect the latest information from the USDA

? Information on complementary induction approaches, like acupuncture

? Revised discussions on caffeine and fluoride, and their effects during pregnancy

? Revised discussions on warning signs of complications, interventions during childbirth, preterm labor risk factors, prenatal exams and tests, and exercise during pregnancy to reflect the latest knowledge

? Revised statistics and discussions on cesarean birth and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) to reflect the latest knowledge

? Revised childhood immunization schedule and information on the vaccines

? Revised discussion on circumcision

Meadowbrook Press expects the more accessible format and more readable information to expand the market for the book, which has trained more than a million mothers for childbirth over a 30-year period.

Penny Simkin, a physical therapist, has been a childbirth educator and doula since 1968. She trains childbirth educators, doulas, and doula-trainers and frequently conducts workshops for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.

Janet Whalley, a registered nurse and lactation consultant (IBCLC), has been a childbirth educator since 1975.

Ann Keppler, a registered nurse, parish nurse, and lactation specialist, has taught childbirth classes and new-parent classes since 1975.

Janelle Durham, a social worker, has worked with new parents since 1993. She is a birth doula, childbirth educator, and lactation educator.

April Bolding has a doctorate in physical therapy and is a childbirth educator, birth doula, water fitness instructor, and author.