In this practical, easy-to-follow guide, obstetrician and fertility expert F. Renee Van DeCarr and Dr. Marc Lehrer M.D. show moms and dads-to-be how to: -Reduce stress and prepare an optimal prenatal environment -Follow the stages in a baby's physical and mental growth -Learn interactive exercises to prepare for your infant's birth "While You are Expecting" offers the simple path expectant parents can take that will result in the birth of a calm, intelligent child who already has bonded with the two people who love him most. Featured on Oprah, Donahue, in Newsweek, Reader's Digest, and USA Today, "While You are Expecting" is a must-have addition to any nursery bookshelf. Table of Contents: Editor's Foreword ix Acknowledgments xi Author's Preface to the First Edition xii Author's Preface to the Second Edition xvi Part I Parents' Questions 1 Part II A Healthy Pregnancy for a Healthy Baby 17 Nutrition Guidelines: Before and During Pregnancy 17 Preventative Nutrition: Before and During Pregnancy 24 Environmental Do's and Don'ts 27 Do's and Don'ts for Physical Activity 31 Reducing Stress and Minimizing Morning Sickness 34 Fetal Bill of Rights 40 7 Health Hints for a Good Pregnancy 42 Visualization Images of Your Developing Baby 43 Part III Prenatal Classroom Curriculum 48 First Communication Exercises with Your Baby 48 Heartbeats and Drum Rhythms 52 The Kick Game 58 Advanced Learning Games 62 Finding Baby's Position 63 Primary Word List 68 Making Word Groups 83 Womb Stories and Songs 85 Teaching Numbers 88 The Xylophone Game 89 Secondary Word List 95 Infant Speak 97 Examples of Learning Sessions at Different Stages of Your Pregnancy 101 Part IV Giving Birth 105 Preparing for Your Baby 105 Exercises for a Baby-Oriented Birth 106 Labor and Delivery 110 Your Newborn 115 Insights: How Your Baby Thinks 120 Summary 125 Appendices 127 Appendix A The Prenatal Development Stages 127 The Prenatal Classroom -- Summary by Weeks 128 Appendix B Musical Selections 129 Appendix C Reference Material 130
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