The Everything Getting Pregnant Book

by Weiss, Robin Elise

• ISBN13: 9781593370343
• ISBN10: 1593370342
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-04-01
• Publisher: Adams Media Corp

Summary

If you're trying to have a baby and have encountered some difficulty conceiving, good news is on the way. Virtually every day the medical community reveals new fertility methods and techniques for conceiving. But how do you know which options are right for you -- and the risks associated with each? The Everything Getting Pregnant Book fully explains all the fertility facts you need to know in simple terms, whether you long to be an expectant mother or father. Written by noted expert Robin Elise Weiss, this reassuring guide offers a wealth of suggestions -- including sexual positions, exercises, foods, and supplements -- that will help you increase the odds. In addition, it provides simple explanations of the most recent medical findings on fertility drugs and procedures. If you want the facts on fertility and need help figuring out what's right for you, The Everything Getting Pregnant Book brings you one step closer to creating your new family. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Robin Elise Weiss, L.C.C.E., I.C.C.E.-C.P.E., C.D., is a program assistant for the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health at the University of Louisville's School of Medicine

Table of Contents

Top Ten Ways to Prepare for Pregnancy	x
Foreword	xi
Deciding to Have a Baby	1	(12)
Are You Emotionally Ready?	2	(3)
Physical Fitness: A Whole New Definition	5	(1)
Fiscal Responsibility: Family Style	6	(2)
Taking Family Medical/Maternity Leave	8	(1)
What Will Your New Baby Need?	9	(2)
Only Child or More?	11	(2)
Body Basics: Preparing for Pregnancy	13	(12)
Acting Pregnant	14	(1)
Avoiding Alcohol	15	(1)
Nicotine and Smoking	16	(1)
Caffeine's Common Effects	17	(1)
Chemical and Workplace Hazards	17	(1)
Enjoying Yourself	18	(4)
Physical Readiness: Not Just for Women	22	(1)
Pre-Baby Checkup	23	(2)
Menstrual Cycle Basics	25	(12)
Understanding Hormones	26	(1)
Putting Them All Together	27	(2)
The Ovulation Process	29	(1)
Determining Gender	30	(1)
Four Phases of the Menstrual Cycle	31	(1)
Tracking Your Cycle	32	(2)
Lifestyle Effects on Your Cycle	34	(3)
Sex: Procreative Recreation	37	(14)
Sex---Conception and Myths	38	(2)
Getting Physical: Positioning	40	(4)
Positioning for Special Situations	44	(2)
Location, Location, Location	46	(1)
It's All About Timing	47	(1)
Talking About Sex with Your Partner	48	(1)
Getting Out of the Birth Control Mentality	48	(1)
Keeping the Romance Alive	49	(2)
Boosting Your Odds of Conception: Fertility Charting	51	(12)
How Pregnancy Occurs	52	(1)
Listening to Your Body's Signals	53	(1)
Checking Your Cervical Mucous	53	(2)
The Position of Your Cervix	55	(1)
The Consistency of Your Cervix	56	(1)
Taking Your Temperature	56	(2)
Charting the Data	58	(3)
Natural Family Planning	61	(1)
Confusing Your Body's Signals	62	(1)
Low-Tech Fertility Aids	63	(10)
Ferning Testers	64	(1)
Herbal Aids	65	(2)
Home Fertility Testing Kits	67	(2)
Fertility Charting as a Diagnostic Tool	69	(2)
Charting Software	71	(1)
Fertility Monitors	71	(1)
Using Information Wisely	72	(1)
Am I Pregnant?	73	(12)
Signs You May Be Pregnant	74	(1)
Pregnancy Tests	75	(2)
When to Test	77	(1)
Blood Tests	78	(1)
Using Ultrasound for Confirmation	79	(1)
Pregnancy Symptoms	80	(2)
Sharing the Good News	82	(3)
Facing Fertility Problems	85	(8)
What Is Infertility?	86	(1)
Measures of Infertility	87	(1)
Talking to Others	88	(2)
Deciding to Get Help	90	(2)
Where to Go from Here	92	(1)
Male Factor Infertility	93	(14)
How It Should Work	94	(2)
Sexual Dysfunction	96	(1)
Sperm Production	97	(2)
Structural Defects	99	(3)
Endocrine Problems	102	(1)
Other Causes	103	(2)
Vasectomy Reversal	105	(2)
Female Factor Infertility	107	(12)
Menstrual Disorders	108	(1)
Ovulation Disorders	109	(2)
Endometriosis	111	(2)
Tubal Factor	113	(2)
Uterine Anomalies	115	(1)
The Endocrine System	116	(1)
Other Medical Issues	116	(3)
Pregnancy Loss	119	(18)
Miscarriage	120	(4)
Bleeding in Pregnancy	124	(2)
Blighted Ovum	126	(1)
Molar Pregnancy	126	(2)
Ectopic Pregnancy	128	(3)
Stillbirth	131	(1)
Repeated Loss	132	(1)
Emotions	133	(4)
Secondary Infertility	137	(10)
What Is Secondary Infertility?	138	(1)
Getting Your Doctor to Listen	139	(1)
Causes of Secondary Infertility	140	(2)
Fitting in Between Two Worlds	142	(1)
Dealing with Family and Friends	143	(1)
Talking to Your Children	144	(3)
Choosing a Fertility Specialist	147	(10)
Who Cares for Fertility Patients?	148	(1)
Specialist Training	149	(2)
Getting Recommendations	151	(1)
Services Offered	151	(1)
Treatment Facilities	152	(1)
Who's Who at the Infertility Clinic	153	(3)
Questions to Ask	156	(1)
Your Fertility Workup	157	(12)
Self-Help Tools	158	(1)
Hormone Levels	158	(3)
Ultrasound	161	(2)
Cervical Mucous	163	(1)
Post Coital Test (PCT)	163	(1)
Semen Analysis	164	(1)
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)	165	(1)
Endometrial Biopsy	166	(1)
Laparoscopy	166	(1)
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)	167	(1)
Unexplained Infertility	167	(2)
Insemination as Treatment	169	(12)
Who Benefits from Inseminations?	170	(1)
The Collection Process	170	(2)
Washing the Specimen	172	(1)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)	173	(2)
Intracervical Insemination (ICI)	175	(1)
With or Without Medications	176	(1)
Super Ovulation	176	(2)
Donor Insemination	178	(3)
Medication Therapy	181	(14)
First Line Medications	182	(1)
Ovulation Induction Medications	183	(1)
Medications for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)	184	(3)
Supplemental Medications	187	(1)
Medications for Men	188	(2)
Administering Meds	190	(3)
Medication Emergencies	193	(2)
Fertility Surgery	195	(12)
Hysteroscopy	196	(1)
Laparoscopy	197	(2)
Laparotomy	199	(1)
Myomectomy	200	(1)
Fallopian Tube Reconstruction	201	(1)
Lysis of Adhesions	202	(1)
Endometriosis	203	(1)
Uterine Repair	203	(1)
Male Surgeries	204	(1)
Preparing for Surgery	205	(2)
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)	207	(12)
Is Advanced Treatment for Me?	208	(1)
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)	209	(3)
Assisted Hatching	212	(1)
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injections (ICSI)	213	(1)
Frozen Embryos	214	(1)
Other Alphabet Soup Treatments	215	(1)
Emotional Aspects of ART	216	(1)
Unsuccessful Cycles	217	(2)
Egg Donation	219	(12)
Who Can Benefit?	220	(1)
The Egg Donation Process	220	(1)
Selecting a Donor	221	(4)
Cycle Synchronization	225	(2)
Shared Cycles: Divvying Up the Eggs	227	(1)
What It Takes to Become an Egg Donor	227	(4)
Third-Party Reproduction	231	(10)
Egg Donation	232	(1)
Sperm Donation	233	(1)
Surrogacy	233	(2)
Embryo Adoption	235	(1)
Infant Adoption	236	(3)
Ethical Debates	239	(2)
Financing Fertility	241	(10)
Health Insurance	242	(2)
Shared Risk	244	(1)
Special Programs	245	(1)
Shopping Around	246	(2)
Loans	248	(1)
Choosing the Right Options	249	(2)
Fertility Support	251	(10)
Staying Sane	252	(1)
Living Your Life	252	(1)
Keeping the Love Alive	253	(1)
Peer Support	254	(1)
Support Groups	255	(1)
Internet Support	256	(2)
Counseling/Therapy	258	(1)
Living in a Fertile World	259	(2)
Congratulations! You're Pregnant!	261	(13)
Emotional Roller Coaster	262	(1)
Who's Who in the Birth World	263	(2)
What to Look for	265	(3)
Multiples	268	(1)
Asking for Referrals	269	(1)
Your Outlook on Pregnancy	269	(1)
Your First Prenatal Visit	270	(4)
Appendix A Resources	274	(9)
Appendix B Basal Body Temperature Chart	283	(1)
Index	284