Pregnancy and Parenting after Thirty-Five

by Moore, Michele C.

• ISBN13: 9780801883217
• ISBN10: 0801883210
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-01
• Publisher: JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV PRESS

Summary

More and more women are having babies after the age of thirty-five and experiencing the joy of motherhood. But mothers-to-be in this age group sometimes face unique medical, emotional, and social challenges. Conception may be difficult and the risk of miscarriage during early pregnancy is higher, as is the potential for complications such as hypertension and diabetes. And having a child later in life can also be surprisingly disruptive to well-established domestic routines and carefully cultivated careers. Michele Moore and Caroline de Costa -- two physicians who have been down this road themselves -- offer reliable medical expertise and personal reassurance to women tackling these challenges. Pregnancy and Parenting after Thirty-Five covers a broad range of issues for mothers in mid life, from the possibility of Cesarean section to the awkwardness of being the oldest mom at PTA meetings to the joy of holding your infant in your arms. Incorporating the stories of real women who have gone through mid-life pregnancy, Moore and de Costa have created a valuable resource that will help other women do so realistically and with confidence. One of the few books devoted to prospective mothers over thirty-five, this one also includes information on surrogacy, adoption, and the first few months of being a new mother.

Author Biography

Michele C. Moore, M.D., has a practice that emphasizes integrated preventive health care, focusing on chronic illnesses, allergies, environmental medicine, and acupuncture. She has written and lectured extensively on women's health care and holistic medicine and is the author of The Only Menopause Guide You'll Need and co-author, with Caroline de Costa, of Cesarean Section: Understanding and Celebrating Your Baby's Birth. Caroline M. de Costa, M.D., is a practicing obstetrician and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at James Cook University Medical School, Cairns, Australia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	1	(10)
Part One PLANNING A PREGNANCY
Thinking about Pregnancy	11	(5)
Making Choices about Work	16	(5)
Fathers, Partners, and Surrogate Fathers	21	(8)
Part Two GETTING PREGNANT
Natural Conception	29	(8)
Assistance with Conception	37	(11)
Assisted Reproductive Technology	48	(12)
Medical Conditions That May Affect Pregnancy	60	(20)
Pregnancy following Cancer and Precancer	80	(6)
Other Roads to Motherhood	86	(9)
Part Three BEING PREGNANT
Screening for Chromosomal Abnormalities	95	(18)
Prenatal Tests	113	(8)
Miscarriage	121	(4)
Termination of Pregnancy	125	(4)
Lifestyle during Pregnancy	129	(8)
Minor Maladies of Pregnancy	137	(10)
Pregnancy Month by Month	147	(12)
Assessment of Fetal Well-being	159	(4)
Problems That May Arise during Pregnancy	163	(14)
Twin Pregnancy	177	(8)
Part Four BIRTH
The Process of Birth	185	(4)
The Experience of Birth	189	(6)
Pain Relief in Labor	195	(4)
Problems That May Arise during Labor	199	(7)
Operative Vaginal Delivery	206	(3)
Cesarean Section	209	(20)
Part Five AFTER THE BIRTH
Going Home with Your Baby	229	(7)
Breastfeeding	236	(6)
Being an Older Parent	242	(25)
Appendices
A. Drugs and Other Substances That Are Harmful to the Fetus	245	(2)
B. Drugs and Chemicals Not Shown to Be Harmful to the Pregnant Woman or Fetus	247	(1)
C. Body Mass Index Table	248	(1)
D. Caffeine Content of Common Sources	249	(1)
E. Iron-rich Foods	250	(2)
F. Calcium-rich Foods	252	(3)
G. The Loss of a Baby	255	(2)
H. Summary of Medical Tests	257	(10)
Glossary	267	(8)
Resources	275	(4)
Index	279