5Perinatal registered nurse Tori Kropp covers every aspect of pregnancy--all the medical facts, but also the magic, humor, and joy of this very special time--month by month in this fully revised and updated edition of The Joy of Pregnancy, including recent medical advances and changes in typical hospital procedures.

As you move through every month of pregnancy, learn how your baby is developing, how your body is changing, how to prepare for birth and baby, and the pros and cons of various pregnancy and childbirth-related choices. The first month after birth is also covered, including breastfeeding tips and newborn care.

Tori's tone is reassuring and authoritative, but also non-judgmental and often humorous. Questions and answers from her online community Stork Site(R), highlighted tips, and quick-reference facts make the informative text accessible and fun to read. A Dad's Corner section at the end of each chapter provides advice and support to your partner through every stage. You'll learn:

• What foods, substances, and activities to limit or avoid
• What medications are safe to take
• The range of available diagnostic tests
• What to expect at each prenatal checkup
• Details of every stage of labor, with illustrations of labor positions

Four appendices condense the advice from the chapters into easy-to-access references. You'll find lists of questions to ask when choosing a birth facility, a practitioner, and childbirth class; advice for caring for your body, like ways to survive morning sickness and cope with labor; a packing list for your hospital bag; shopping list for the nursery and baby equipment; month-by-month to-do checklists; as well as suggestions for further reading.

With this book by your side, you and your partner will be prepared to take an active role in ensuring a healthy, happy, and truly joyful pregnancy.