O/T warts and all

[MightyMitre]

Hi Ladies. Wondered if you could help. DH & I are thinking about starting a family next year and thought I should do a little research ( For 'little' read - gobbling up all the tips I can find for use later! )

Anyone know of a down-to-earth, warts-and-all book about pregnancy/ expecting a baby. Ideally it would be good if I could find one that's got some sensible info on continuing to exercise while pregnant, but would be interested to hear about any books that people have found helpful.

[joyrider]

By Vicki Iovine.
It's humorous and down-to-earth.

[gretassister]

I can't help you there, but I had a friend who trained horses while she was pregnant, so I'm pretty sure you can still bicycle.

[snapdragen]

If you're worried about riding, a woman in my club rode up to the day she delivered.....

[drplasma64]

The What to Expect When You are Expecting books will just make you crazy. GG is funny and informative too.

And if you are considering breastfeeding, I've heard that "So THAT'S what they're for" is good.

[mikki]

I highly recommend the Dr. Sears series: The Baby Book, and The Birth Book.

What to Expect.... is pretty good.

The Birth Partner (for daddy).

Good Luck

[mom2twins]

The What to Expect When You are Expecting books will just make you crazy. GG is funny and informative too.

And if you are considering breastfeeding, I've heard that "So THAT'S what they're for" is good.

I 2nd everything Dr.plasma said. I had to throw out my "what to expect" books because they were keeping me up at night worrying about worst case scenarios.

If I remember correctly, I was told by my OB that I could continue all activites that I was doing previously as long as I didn't allow myself to over heat. There are certian heart rate maxes that get thrown around but he said that wasn't accurate because everyone's heart rate is different. I was also allowed to continue weight lifting until I found out I was carrying twins and then I was considered high risk so I wasn't suppose to do heavy lifting. I did walk 3-5 hilly miles every day until I was 6 1/2 months pregnant and started to swell too much because of the heat (it was the middle of the summer).

Also, once you are expecting and preparing for the care of your baby I strongly recommend Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I truly believe that healthy sleeping is as important as healthy eating habits for infants, children and adults too. Having 2 at one time made me really appreciate a good nights sleep for all 3 of us.

Good Luck!!!! Pregnancy and parenthood are the most life-altering and wonderful things I have ever experienced.

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE MightyMitre]Hi Ladies. Wondered if you could help. DH & I are thinking about starting a family next year and thought I should do a little research ( For 'little' read - gobbling up all the tips I can find for use later! :

Im afraid I cant help you with a book name I know I had a few but they are all in storage in Aust so no help there sorry.

With regards to riding/exercise and pregnancy I would say take it day by day and let your body be your guide. I enjoyed swimming and walking thru each pregnancy. I have only taken up riding recently so cant give you any info on that.

My last piece of advice is when you become pregnant people will hand out all sorts of advice and this will continue thru your childs early years. Take what you think is good and ditch the rest. You will get the ones that love to tell birthing horror stories and ones that are very competitive about the strangest things. Every pregnancy and child is different remember that and enjoy the experience.

[emily_in_nc]

Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler (hope that is spelled right). Highly recommended whether you're trying to conceive (or not!) or just want to become more educated about your body.

I read all the fertility/pregnancy books since DH and I struggled with infertility for many years (finally got pregnant on our second IVF, but I miscarried; 7 years later we are, amazingly, quite content being childfree), and this was the best book of the lot.

Good luck!

Emily