A laugh-out-loud memoir about a free-spirited, commitment-phobic Brooklyn girl who, after a whirlwind romance, finds herself living in a rickety farmhouse, pregnant, and faced with five months of doctor-prescribed bed rest because of unusually large fibroids. Aileen Weintraub has been running away from commitment her entire life, hopping from one job and one relationship to the next. When her father suddenly dies, she flees her Jewish Brooklyn community for the wilds of the country, where she unexpectedly falls in love with a man who knows a lot about produce, tractors, and how to take a person down in one jiu-jitsu move. Within months of saying "I do" she's pregnant, life is on track, and then wham! Her doctor slaps a high-risk label on her uterus and sends her to bed for five months. As her husband's bucolic (and possibly haunted) farmhouse begins to collapse and her marriage starts to do the same, Weintraub finally confronts her grief for her father while fighting for the survival of her unborn baby. In her precarious situation, will she stay or will she once again run away from it all? Knocked Down is an emotionally charged, laugh-out-loud roller-coaster ride of survival and growth. It is a story about marriage, motherhood, and the risks we take.

This evidence-based guide for professionals covers essential information to help support parents breastfeeding past the first six months, including starting solids alongside breastfeeding, nursing manners, and common problems and challenges. The recommendation of breastfeeding beyond six months is well-established, but many birth professionals don't feel confident enough to support parents. This book, packed with case studies of real-life parents and practical tips, helps to educate healthcare professionals - as well as parents themselves - to feel better informed. Each chapter combines professional, research-led evidence with a parent-focused resource section for a fully integrative approach. Centring families and their personal journeys, Supporting Breastfeeding Past the First Six Months and Beyond is an invaluable guide for all lactation consultants, birthing professionals, healthcare workers and parents.

Explanations about the physiology of pain and what techniques can help ease it help pregnant women understand what bodies experience during labor and what can be done to actively manage the pain. With a combination of professional advice from a 30-year career in obstetric therapy and recommendations from a program-participant's personal journey, this guidebook offers proven pain-management tips such as movement, breathing, vocalizing, and using stress balls and keywords. All types of birthing methods are described--including short and long labors, natural or epidural labors, and water births. This much-needed resource aids women to prepare for their biggest fear--the pain of labor--and shows them not only how to get through it, but also illustrates the empowerment of managing such pain.

Your all-encompassing guide to having a happy, healthy pregnancy Are you an expectant parent looking for sound, expert guidance as you prepare to welcome a new addition to your family? Pregnancy All-in-One For Dummies has done the legwork for you, offering a one-stop compilation of the hottest topics and most relevant information culled from several successful For Dummies pregnancy titles. Covering everything from conception to the delivery room and beyond it gives moms and dads-to-be the reassuring answers they need during this very special time. Your pregnancy and childbirth experiences should be happy ones, but they're bound to be rife with questions especially if you're a first-time parent, having a child later in life, or embarking on your first multiple birth. Luckily, this friendly guide is here to put your mind at ease, offering authoritative coverage of everything you can expect to encounter in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, as well as all the special considerations you may come across along the way, such as diet, exercise, labor and delivery options, breastfeeding, and so much more. * Make pregnancy and childbirth an enjoyable experience * Find out about nutrients that are critical to your baby's development * Get authoritative guidance on making a birth plan Why turn to dozens of pregnancy resources when all the helpful, down-to-earth guidance you're looking for is right here, in one convenient place?

The definitive week-by-week diet and lifestyle plan to support IVF treatment and help you become pregnant from the one of the UK's foremost experts on fertility and conception, Zita West. 'The IVF process is so out of your control and this was a really helpful tool to bring me back in control and nurture my body' -- ***** Reader review 'Excellent book, a great way to feel like you have some control over this crazy process!' -- ***** Reader review 'Terrific and informative - worth every penny' -- ***** Reader review 'Easy to read and easy to understand' -- ***** Reader review 'Brilliant' -- ***** Reader review **************************************************************************************************** More and more couples are turning to IVF each year to help them conceive, and yet there are still many questions to be answered. "What makes IVF successful?" and "what else can we do to support our treatment?" are two of the most important queries couples can have, and here, Zita West offers solutions. Nutrition and lifestyle advice, psychological and emotional support and a positive mindset all play an important part in helping couples conceive, and can even make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful outcome. This book not only advises how to prepare for IVF, but why it's so important to prepare, and with a step-by-step diet and lifestyle plan and over 60 recipes for meals designed for optimum fertility heath, this is a clear way to actively support your treatment.

Fertility is one of the major health and wellbeing issues for modern women, and Emma Cannon's Total Fertility offers clear, warm and supportive advice to help you on your own unique fertility journey. This book will help you get pregnant now, whether you are going for natural or assisted conception, and also focus on fertility preservation to help you stay fertile longer so you can get pregnant in the future. Emma Cannon answers the many nagging questions women have about fertility and conception; questions such as: How can I get a sense of my fertility? Can I preserve my fertility? When exactly should we be having sex? Does my diet really matter? Does stress lower my chances of conceiving? What exercise should I be doing? Reducing stress and approaching fertility with a calm and positive attitude is central to her approach to getting pregnant, so Emma also helps you develop a 'fertile mindset' with a toolbox of simple suggestions to cultivate emotional wellness for your particular fertility 'type'. Written in Emma's trademark optimistic, warm and non-judgmental tone, Total Fertility is a book for anyone who is thinking - or has ever thought of - getting pregnant.

One in four babies born in the United States and Europe comes into the world via Cesarean section. Yet this procedure has been described by critics as an unnecessary and potentially dangerous medical intervention. Consequently, expectant mothers often fear this option, and women who have had C-sections can feel a sense of failure.

In "Cesarean Section: Understanding and Celebrating Your Baby's Birth," Drs. Michele Moore and Caroline de Costa emphasize the joy of delivering a healthy baby, however that is best achieved. They explain why Cesarean births are sometimes preferable to vaginal delivery for both mother and baby, and they help women understand the issues behind the decision to perform the procedure. From anesthesia, surgery, and recovery through at-home care of mother and child, the authors offer reassurance and practical information for all mothers and mothers-to-be. They also discuss the latest findings on postpartum depression and planning for future births, including the possibility of vaginal birth after a Cesarean section.

For every woman who has a planned--or unplanned--Cesarean section, this book provides the information they need to alleviate their fears and come to value this delivery option.

"Because up to a quarter of all births are Cesarean births, prenatal preparation should include information about Cesarean sections for every woman. And that is why we have written this guide.... We believe strongly that it is time to speak out and say that Cesarean section is a "normal" birth method and that women who have a Cesarean section should not be made to feel that they have failed.... We hope you find the information in this book useful and helpful in thinking about C-section, whether you have already had a Cesarean and want to understand the experience better, you wish to plan for another C-section birth, or you are expecting a baby and want to be informed about all the possibilities ahead, including this other normal way of bringing a baby into the world."--from the Introduction

Most people's diets are woefully inadequate for providing proper nutrition. Even good diets fail to deliver sufficient levels of nutrients. The 'Vitamin Cure' book series highlights the safe and clinically effective use of vitamin supplements for a variety of illnesses.

This beautiful baby journal makes the perfect baby shower gift for parents who want to chronicle baby's first years. Use this journal to write down new discoveries about your child and your hopes, wishes, and dreams for the future. Filled with Nikki McClure's papercut illustrations, The First 1000 Days is divided into sections devoted to baby's first tree, moon, and garden, reflecting McClure's lifestyle and art. Focused on recording baby's interaction with the natural world, this lovely journal celebrates all the special moments of baby's first years and preserves them for all time.

Packed with tips, hints and reminders, case studies, at-a-glance charts and a daily journal to help you keep track of your baby's progress, The Sensational Baby Sleep Plan is a step-by-step, must-have manual to ensure sleep for you and your baby. For over twenty-five years, recognised sleep guru Alison Scott-Wright has been working 'hands-on' with families, sharing her knowledge with her clients and, most importantly, bringing sleep to thousands of homes. Now she is sharing her expertise with you... 'I was so thankful for this book. It made a HUGE difference.' -- Giovanna Fletcher 'I wish I had read this book sooner, I tell every new mum about it!' -- Millie Mackintosh The Sensational Baby Sleep Plan is changing parents' lives: ***** 'This book is a Godsend . . . simple, supportive and easy to apply.' ***** 'Literally changes our lives . . . absolutely invaluable advice.' ***** 'This books now allows our little one to enjoy her sleep . . . She is a happy content smiley baby now and so are mummy and daddy!' *********************************************************************************************The Sensational Baby Sleep Plan gives parents: * Realistic, easy to follow advice and guidance * Sensible feeding plans that can be tailored to suit the individual * Simple explanations of how to interpret different cries * Useful tips to encourage belief and trust in their parental instincts * Solutions to common issues and problems, as well as in-depth explanations on how to cope with reflux and dietary related colic. * Happy babies that sleep through the night and have structured naps from around 2 months. Baby care consultant Alison Scott-Wright takes the stress and tension out of those early weeks and offers the ultimate plan that will ensure your baby sleeps soundly during the day, and for a full 12 hours during the night from around 8-10 weeks, without the need for night feeds! And for when you're ready to move on to the next stage in sleep-filled parenting: The Sensational Toddler Sleep Plan!

Encourage your baby's development and enjoy bonding through learning activities and creative play. Follow the month-by-month progression of your baby's skills and track your child's development from newborn to one year old. Parenting expert Dr Miriam Stoppard's simple Golden Hour of Play plan provides you with age-appropriate activities for each stage of development that fit into just one hour. There are also suggestions for activities that develop specific areas, such as nursery rhymes, games and how to massage. Her unique at-a-glance Baby Skill Map shows you exactly what skills your baby will be developing when and a month-by-month guide shows you what kind of stimulation is most appropriate for your child at every stage. Use Baby's First Skills (previous ISBN 9781405335157) and watch your child's development progress as they learn with their favourite playmate - you!

Straightforward, no-nonsense guidance on one of the most vital (and often ignored) women's health and wellbeing issues. A must-read! (Rebecca Schiller CEO of Birthrights, the human rights in childbirth charity and author of The No-Guilt Pregnancy Plan) *Learn how to treat common problems such as stress incontinence, overactive bladder and prolapse *Get back into shape post-pregnancy *Enjoy a healthy sex life at every stage of your life

Having a baby is surely one of the pinnacle events of a woman's life, full of joy, serenity, and contentment--or so society tells a new mother, who thus finds herself ill-prepared for the exhaustion, boredom, and isolation that can follow childbirth. The resulting depression--how it is experienced, and how it might be relieved--is the subject of Natasha Mauthner's insightful and compassionate book, which recounts the stories of new mothers caught between a cultural ideal and a far more complex reality.

In Mauthner's interviews with thirty-five new mothers in Britain and America, we see how women contend with images of motherhood as a state of bliss for everyone but themselves. The British women tend to view their depression as a personal failure of strength; American women, as a result of hormonal fluctuation. But all vividly describe a similar state of paralysis and loneliness, with alternating love, resentment, and guilt toward their babies.

Most usefully, these women reveal the positive impact that other new mothers had on their depression. Far more important than their own family's support or understanding, the sense of not being alone in their trials emerges as a key source of strength and healing for women struggling with postpartum depression.

Experts of every kind are queuing up to warn us that lack of sleep, or the wrong kind, will bring down a bewildering array of dire consequences. Heather Darwall-Smith's message in this book is simple: don't panic! Humans are biologically programmed to sleep, and by interrogating all the factors - sociological, physiological, neurological, and psychological - that might be impeding this innate instinct, each of us can work out the changes we can make in our own lifestyles to allow ourselves to sleep naturally again. This book demystifies the bewildering data around sleep by combining science with natural self-help techniques. Inside the pages of this illustrated guide to sleep, you'll discover: - A visual approach to understanding the science of why and how we sleep through info-graphics, graphs and diagrams that unpick the data and present the facts in an easy-to-follow format - Proven techniques and strategies for better sleep from the author - based on extensive clinical practice and drawing on the most up-to-date evidence from scientists around the world - The latest research and evidence to debunk the myths and misconceptions around sleep Heather Darwall-Smith has combined her research findings, clinical expertise, and curated techniques to create a uniquely visual approach to explaining the interrelated factors that make up our sleep habits. She also provides natural techniques to deal with these underlying causes. Humans are biologically programmed to sleep, Heather encourages each of us to work out the changes we can make to our lifestyles to nourish our body clocks for us to sleep naturally again. The Science of Sleep provides in-depth answers to questions about sleep challenges and exposes myths and fads using science that is accessible to all. Armed with facts, this book equips readers to take control of their choices, understand and transform their sleep habits one night at a time.

As an ecologist, Sandra Steingraber spent her professional life observing how living things interact with their environments.  Now, 38 and pregnant, she had become a habitat—for a population of one.

Having Faith is Steingraber's exploration of the intimate ecology of motherhood. Using her scientist's eye to study the biological drama of new life being knit from the molecules of air, food, and water flowing into her body, she looks at the environmental hazards that now threaten pregnant and breastfeeding women, and examines the effects these toxins can have on a child. Having Faith makes the metamorphosis of a few cells into a baby astonishingly vivid, and the dangers to human reproduction urgently real.