A pioneer in the field of fertility, ex-midwife Zita West's programme is invaluable for couples trying to conceive. Harley Street's most popular fertility expert guides the reader through a process of vital physical and mental preparation and incorporates the latest research into what works in complementary medicine and supplements. The Sunday Mirror called Zita West 'the baby dream maker' and The Times reported that Zita is 'renowned for helping women to get pregnant when everything else has failed. The book is for every couple trying to conceive and has fascinating advice culled from Zita's 20 years of experience as midwife and 7 as acupuncturist. It provides a structured, easy-to-follow step-by-step programme, including details on: - when and how often to have sex - what can prevent fertilisation and conception - everything you need to know about sperm and ovulation - nutrition, supplements and herbs - complementary therapies such as acupressure, lymphatic massage and hypnotherapy - how to overcome stress and other emotional blocks to pregnancy - PCOS, endometriosis and other health issues - tests and procedures if there is a problem Complete with case studies and Zita's enormou

This useful book gives sound, straightforward advice about prenatal care, analyzing and diagnosing high-risk factors, and describing the tests, medications, and procedures necessary for a healthy pregnancy. The authors offer specific ways to cope with the rollercoaster of emotions and medical issues that arise during this process. Beginning with a general guide to successful conception, the book explains the risks and addresses the most pressing concerns. Throughout the text, the authors check in with the men and women involved, showing them how to explore their feelings about the pregnancy, their emotions toward the baby, and how to build a solid support system. Each chapter contains journaling exercises, which are extremely important given the amount of bed-rest required in difficult pregnancies. Here too are informed discussions of natural birth versus C-section, the use of antibiotics and painkillers, and how to cope with miscarriages and premies. "Your High-Risk Pregnancy" is a complete, caring companion during pregnancy and beyond.

Already the mother of five children, Lana Grant's late diagnosis of autism at age 38 transformed her experience of her sixth pregnancy. Based on her own experiences of the challenges and joys of pregnancy and motherhood, this witty, entertaining read provides insight into the unique challenges encountered by mothers on the spectrum and provides tips and strategies for understanding and overcoming them. From physical and emotional changes, through to changes of routine and a lack of sleep, Lana Grant explains what women on the spectrum should expect in pregnancy and motherhood, as well as preparing them for the inevitable unexpected! Her stories of learning to make allowances for her feelings and her witty anecdotes offer support and a like-minded voice to women on the spectrum. She discusses everything from learning to understand the language used by medical professionals, who to tell what and when, and the dangers of over-sharing, through to sensory challenges during and after delivery, what to expect from staff in the hospital, and the social challenges of interacting with other mums before and after the birth. The first book on this important topic of pregnancy and motherhood on the autism spectrum, From Here to Maternity provides much needed support, insight and understanding for women on the spectrum, their family and friends, and the professionals working with them during and after pregnancy.

Babycalm offers a refreshing alternative to prescriptive, routine-led parenting. If you want to find ways to cope with tiring days and difficult nights without putting your baby on a strict routine, or resorting to sleep training, this gentle guide is for you. Full of advice, support, tips and the experiences of other new parents, Sarah Ockwell-Smith, experienced mum of four, antenatal teacher, doula and author of the bestselling The Gentle Sleep Book, shares her methods which will enable you to enjoy your baby and to trust your own parenting instincts from the start. You will learn how to: Decipher your baby's cues Access a toolbox of calming techniques Understand normal baby sleep patterns Encourage your baby's sleep Trust your maternal instincts This invaluable guide will help you through the challenging early days, helping to ensure happier parents and calmer babies.

Why do mothers fail to breastfeed their babies? The majority of mothers know breastfeeding gives their baby the best start in life: improved health, superior intelligence, and closer emotional attachment are just a few of the crucial benefits. Yet a mere 17% of mothers are still breastfeeding when their babies are three months old. Why? There are plenty of books out there that offer excuses. Tiredness, sore nipples, low milk supply, breasts too big, breasts too small, excess marketing by artificial milk companies... the list goes on. This is the first book to look for answers in the mothers themselves. Controversial author and The Alpha Parent blogger Allison Dixley argues mothers fail to breastfeed because women undermine each other, using a toxic mix of deception, guilt, excuses, envy, contempt, defensiveness and sabotage. Drawing on academic research in psychology, biology, philosophy and anthropology, she sheds light on the hidden emotions of early motherhood, and reveals the deep and widespread damage artificial feeding can have on a mother's confidence in her body, her mothering and in other women. Heart-wrenching, polemic and ultimately a call to action, this is a book that will make you angry, but a book that will make you think.

While countless breastfeeding guides crowd bookshelves, not one of them speaks to women with anything approaching bestselling author Fiona Giles's level of intimacy and vitality. In Fresh Milk, through a provocative collection of stories, memories, and personal accounts, Giles uncovers the myths and truths of the lactating breast.

From the young mother grappling with the bewildering trappings of maternity wear to the woman who finds herself surprisingly aroused by new sensations, and the modern dad who learns the ins and outs of breastfeeding, the portraits in Giles's eye-opening book offer a funny, wise, and comforting resource for women -- and even their friends and partners who have had, or expect, intimate experiences with the pleasures and pain of lactation.

By turns poignant and informative, sexy and witty, empathic and empowering, Fresh Milk delivers everything we wanted to know about breastfeeding that our mothers never told us.

Do you have a baby in the home? Do you worry about getting a good night’s sleep, for you, your baby, your entire family? There is a radical solution, one that use to be commonplace but has been eradicated through decades of Victorian values and well-meaning advice.

Fascinating and ground-breaking, Deborah Jackson explains why taking your baby into your bed each night prevents the traditional screaming wake up calls, and, vitally, rests the minds of worried parents. The book also contains practical advice, historical insights and interviews with happy parents.

‘I feel a good deal of sympathy towards anyone who tries to plead for infants’ right. Deborah Jackson does so ... thoroughly’ —Germaine Greer, Independent

‘Jackson provided intellectual justification for what we already instinctively felt was right. Co-sleeping was probably the best parenting decision we have made to date’ —The Times

‘Impeccably researched rulebook for the thoroughly modern mother ... Jackson makes a lively, impressive case for the benefits of sleeping with your baby’ Daily Mail

You've received the happiest of news: you're going to be a parent! So what's next? Top Tips for New Parents has advice on everything from what to prepare before your bundle of joy arrives to practical tips for settling in with your new addition to the family. This little book is the perfect companion for your greatest adventure.

Finally, a book for guys that solves the riddles of pregnancy.

Do you think that newborn babies can eat Doritos? That they can't scream very loudly since they just have tiny little baby lungs? That you will still be able to golf on weekends after your baby is born?

If so, you need this book!

Breathe takes guys misstep-by-misstep through the stages of pregnancy and the early days of childhood. Considered by many to be the unofficial pregnancy handbook of the NBA, Breathe is filled with useful tips such as these:

Brown's First Law of Conception: The odds of conception are inversely proportional to its desirability. High school virgins experimenting behind bleachers are guaranteed to get pregnant; financially secure married men hoping for children are doomed to spend their weekends in fertility clinics masturbating into cups.

Picking a doctor: Never use a gynecologist whose Medical School Diploma has palm trees on the side.

Pre-Natal Music: Mozart, yes. Wagner, No!

Common Concerns: If your baby is born with dark hair that covers its head, back, neck, temples and forehead, don't panic. This is perfectly normal. It just means your baby was born Italian.

Child experts from all over the world agree -- if you're a first time father, drop your baby and pick up this book!

Finally, a sensible plan for women who return to work
after a three-month maternity leave

Anyone who has ever had a baby has heard the prevailing medical wisdom that "breast is best" for baby's first food. Solid science stands behind that wisdom: Excellent studies show that there are immunological and other benefits for the breastfed baby. On the other hand, doctors and breastfeed- ing advocates rarely appreciate or even acknowledge the challenges that go along with breastfeeding until baby is ready for solid food -- anywhere from four to nine months. The simple and reasonable approach is one that many doctors and breastfeeding advocates unfortunately treat as sacrilege:

As Dr. Wilkoff explains, the truth is that women who nurse for three months (or until their maternity leave is over) provide their children with an optimal start in terms of nutrition and can have the same rewarding experience as mothers who nurse their children much longer. In contrast to the insistence of militant breastfeeding advocates, he offers an important and comforting message: Breast is best for as long as you can comfortably manage it.

There are no guilt trips or political agendas here. Instead mothers will find:

While being pregnant is thrilling, the responsibility of a growing baby can provoke anxiety about what is and isn't safe. In "The Complete Organic Pregnancy," Deirdre Dolan and Alexandra Zissu address how you can minimize your exposure to the invisible toxins that surround us in everything from food, cleaning products, and cosmetics to furniture, rugs, air, and water. Step by step, they tell you where dangerous chemicals are lurking, why it's so important to avoid them when pregnant, and what you can do before, during, and after your pregnancy to protect your child.

In this exhaustively researched book, the authors (calmly) talk parents-to-be through everything from the safest laundry detergent to which crib mattresses contain toxic flame retardants. You'll find out how to choose the right face cream, plastic water bottles, household cleaners, types of fish, and much more all with an eye toward keeping you and your baby safe and healthy.

"The Complete Organic Pregnancy" also features a collection of personal diaries from well-known writers and organophiles, including Barbara Kingsolver and Marion Nestle, as well as recipes from organic chefs. Required reading for anyone heading into this exciting stage of life, "The Complete Organic Pregnancy" is your chance to make a difference for your children, even before they're born.

The best, most comprehensive guide to infertility, and the only user guide to IVF treatment available. This is an outstanding book. Originally published in 1997, and now updated to cover all the latest developments and changes, it really is the best and most comprehensive guide to IVF treatment available. Easy to read, Your Essential IVF Companion is a mine of information: How the reproductive system works. * The different causes of fertility problems. * The drug and treatment options available. * How will the treatments make me feel? * The medical technology - how does it work? * Self-help and complementary medicine to help with fertility - and during IVF. * IVF, infertility and your relationship as a couple. * The alternatives - adoption and fostering. This is also the ONLY book which provides a guide to every UK clinic and hospital offering IVF. The clinics do differ - both in their criteria for selecting IVF couples and in the sorts of experience couples can expect to have once they begin treatment.

A perfect balance of practical information, compelling personal stories and research evidence, "Home Birth" is essential reading for all couples considering the alternative to a hospital birth. Leading childbirth educator Nicky Wesson dispels many common myths about home birth and shows how giving birth to your baby in your own home can be the most exciting and fulfilling thing you'll ever do.

I Still Want to be a Mom helps women stop thinking about how badly they want a baby and just get pregnant. Sometimes getting to parenthood isn't as easy breezy as couples are led to believe and women can't help but wonder what's up with their fertility. After all the years spent telling their body not to get pregnant, now they want a baby. Sometimes doctors don't have satisfying answers or solutions, and dealing with all the decisions can be overwhelming and confusing, and there's so much noise about infertility. I Still Want to be a Mom is for women who are feeling sad, frustrated, broken, and exhausted, and don't want to feel that way anymore. Fertility and healthy lifestyle coach Julie Pierce shares what she's learned through years of working with women struggling their way to motherhood-and she was one of them. With her help, women can stop their struggle and return to that beautiful place of confidence and joy they started this journey with and just get pregnant.

'Natalie has a wealth of knowledge on so many topics and provides great bite-sized pieces of advice.' Nadia Lim 'Finally a book that deals with the things that really matter, based on the actual science and a depth of clinical experience.' Nigel Latta Psychologist Dr Natalie Flynn has examined all the research on key baby topics such as feeding, sleeping and crying. The result? Smart Mothering, a revolutionary book that separates the facts from the opinions. Find out what research says about the dilemmas so many parents face: What if I can't breastfeed? Is it best to feed on demand? Can I leave my baby to cry? Should I vaccinate my baby? Is bed-sharing a good idea? Natalie provides the answers to these questions and many more. Smart Mothering is objective, accessible and practical. With helpful tips, succinct summaries and clear diagrams it demystifies the often confusing and overwhelming world of parenting. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make informed decisions about how best to care for their baby.

This complete guide to pregnancy is for the woman who wants all the facts in order to make her own decisions. Earlier editions have established the book as a trusted reference, and this third edition brings every section up to date. Dr. Feinbloom offers women the very latest research results, generally available only to obstetricians on professional databases. New information includes sections on prenatal testing, genetics, the best nutrition, drugs during pregnancy, new approaches to labour support and pain relief, prevention of prematurity, Caesarean section, and the advantages and disadvantages of new technology. With this guide in hand, expectant couples will have all the information they need to ask the right questions and plan a safe and joyous birth.

Finally! Answers to your most urgent questions in an easy-to-use format!

Based on questions posed by thousands of real mothers, this A-to-Z guide has a practical, realistic view of how nursing fits into a modern woman's life.
First-time mothers and breastfeeding veterans will find answers to more than 300 questions -- from the most common to the most particular.

• How to know the effect of what you eat and drink on your breastmilk -- from antihistamines and antidepressants to spicy food, wine, or caffeine

• How to use natural remedies like fennel tea, cabbage leaves, and brewer's yeast to combat your own and your baby's discomforts

• How to accommodate your child's particular nursing style, be she fussy, sleepy, overeager, or uninterested

• How to breastfeed children with special needs -- like a cleft palate and Down's syndrome -- as well as adopted babies and twins

Cross-referenced for easy, immediate access to information, supplemented with listings of resources such as videos, Web sites, and support groups, this volume is the most comprehensive collection of nursing advice available.

This volume is a guide to nutrition for women who are either planning to concieve, are pregnant or have given birth. It should also help women who are having difficulty conceiving or taking their baby to term. Nutritionist Patrick Holford and journalist Susannah Lawson start with a pre-conception nutrition checklist, moving on to cover nutrition in pregnancy, complete with diet and meal plans and follow up with useful advice about your own nutrition in early partenhood - from beating the baby blues to how to produce the best-quality milk. The final section deals with optimum nutrition for babies and young children, with information about weaning, prevention of allergies and the ideal diet for a healthy child.

A comprehensive book for apprehensive parents Baby Basics is a reassuring guide that takes the worry out of first-time parenting and lets you spend your time enjoying your baby. Filled with sound advice and useful tips, it will help you make the best choices and most practical decisions for your child. From the "Top Six Things to Do Before Baby Arrives" to "Investing in the Future," Baby Basics explains everything you need to know. It will help you identify your options and get a handle on day-to-day matters like feeding, choosing diapers, and finding child care, as well as less obvious responsibilities like writing a will and purchasing life insurance. This indispensable, down-to-earth book will help you save time and money while giving your baby the best.

Are you worried about gaining too much weight when you're pregnant -- or not losing enough weight after the baby arrives?

Let's face it: to make sure you and your baby are as healthy as possible,you need to be concerned with eating right while you're expecting. Yet acomprehensive guide to healthy weight gain -- including a total pregnancyeating plan -- hasn't been made available to women. Until now.

In this first and only book of its kind, Eileen Behan, registered dietitian and mother of two, answers every imaginable question related to proper, healthy weight gain and the best nutrition for your baby, including exactly what to eat (and what not to eat) as well as how you can return to your pre-pregnancy weight after your baby's birth.

Working hand-in-hand with your obstetrician's advice, this wonderful book is chock full of helpful information (what to eat during morning sickness when you don't want to eat at all), and facts you need to know (is a vegetarian diet safe for your baby?). Complete with an exciting eating program based on six easy-to-understand food groups -- and delicious, healthy recipes that you'll love, The Pregnancy Diet understands a woman's real-life needs. You'll find:

• Weekly weight goals for single births and twins
• Simple-to-make menus and nutrition-packed meals and snacks
• Facts about aspartame, soft drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking
• Exercise programs -- what's safe and what's not
• Nutritional guidelines for special problems -- gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, doctor-ordered bed rest, and others
• The best food sources for the essential nutrients you need, including calcium, folic acid, iron, and many more!

At last: an all-in-one nutrition sourcebook for the time in your life when you want to make sure you do everything right.