Before Your Pregnancy is a breakthrough book for prospective parents—a completely detailed resource that prepares mothers and fathers-to-be to conceive the healthiest baby possible, to make pregnancy and delivery easier, and to foster the mental and physical well-being of their infant child. Created by two experienced health-care professionals, this unique handbook not only discusses virtually every aspect of preconception that affects a healthy baby, it tells you how to handle each one. The authors spell out what each parent needs to do, starting at least ninety days before conception (the minimum time needed for sperm to mature). The hundreds of topics covered—many for the first time in any book—include

• Men’s Health: Building healthy sperm before conception (nutrition, fitness, and medical influences)

• Women’s Health: Gynecologic well-being, preexisting medical conditions, genetic legacy, boosting fertility, becoming a mother at an older age

• Becoming an Informed Patient: Choosing a doctor, what a complete preconception exam includes, important questions and how to ask them, insurance coverage

• Nutrition: Improving the health of future generations, preconception meal makeovers, ethnic Food Guide Pyramids, avoiding food-borne illnesses, vitamin and mineral facts, pre-pregnancy body weight

• Fitness: Preconception fitness evaluation and exercise prescription, safety tips and motivational anecdotes, preconception strength and flexibility workout

• Medications/Herbs: Baby-friendly ones and ones to avoid

• Personal Readiness: Emotional, financial, and environmental issues

• Romancing the Egg: Tips for success when ready to “start trying”

Plus: Separate questionnaires for the prospective parents to fill out in preparation for their preconception medical visit.

This warm, intelligent, and completely informed reference gives aspiring parents exactly the knowledge and support they need to insure the best of everything for their child-to-be.

“A source of information all prospective parents will be pleased to assess. It is extremely comprehensive in the variety of topics and the depth of information provided.”

SADIE B. SACKS, R.N., M.S.N.

Director, Region 8

Regional Perinatal

and California Diabetes/Pregnancy Programs

“This book represents a substantial contribution to understanding the developing issues in the field of preconception.  Amy Ogle and Lisa Mazzullo have written an insightful and well-researched handbook for couples seeking to maximize their likelihood of having a healthy pregnancy.  The practical information contained in this book will guide couples on their journey to creating healthy babies.”

NICOLE GIANGREGORIO, B.S., L.C.C.E., C.L.E.

March of Dimes

“This book provides an excellent path to good health on the road to pregnancy. It will be particularly informative to patients challenged by infertility and serve as a ready reference guide to their health.”

PAUL W. ZARUTSKIE, M.D.

The Zarutskie Fertility and Endocrine Institute

“A source of information all prospective parents will be pleased to assess. It is extremely comprehensive in the variety of topics and the depth of information provided.”
SADIE B. SACKS, R.N., M.S.N.
Director, Region 8
Regional Perinatal
and California Diabetes/Pregnancy Programs