From the moment the pregnancy test showed a positive result, your mind became a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions: Will it be a boy or a girl — or twins? How will your body — and emotions — change over the next nine months? Will you be able to handle labor and delivery? Will you be able to be the kind of parent you always dreamed of being? When will you go back to work — or should you just stay home?
In the rush of excitement and anticipation surrounding the “big day,” it's not uncommon to have all kinds of thoughts, hopes, dreams, and worries constantly swirling around in your head. But perhaps the most burning question during the seemingly long nine months you're given to prepare for the birth of your baby is this: How will you
You'll need to decide how you want to chronicle this experience — whom to tell and when to tell them. You'll choose how you want your birthing experience to be by creating a sensible birth plan. You'll want to pick out wall paint and baby furniture, as well as stock the changing table with the right supplies, blankets, and clothes — and, of course, you'll want to figure out how to take baby's “show” on the road without hassle, too!With such a multitude of details, it's easy to see how a tiny little person can create an overwhelming experience for all of the adults in its young life. If only your baby could know what a stir he or she is already causing!
Thankfully, you've got lots of time in the months ahead to prepare yourself, as well as the rest of your family, for the new limb on the family tree. Not only will you find time to take better care of yourself, you'll also discover that there's a wealth of information available to help support you through every step of this amazing process. You'll get tons of great advice from everyone in your close circle of family and friends — and maybe lots of unsolicited advice from complete strangers. Your medical or birthing team will also be there to support you as each month of your pregnancy progresses.
Over the next eight to nine months, as you get ready for your baby, you'll join forces with an exciting and informative network of people. Ideas will abound on everything from what to name your baby and what to expect during labor to how to decorate the nursery and how to bond with your baby.
This second edition of
Whether you're ever completely ready for this exciting change in your life, you'll appreciate the hundreds of tried-and-true answers to your most pressing questions as they unfold in the pages ahead. You'll learn how to prepare not just the baby's room, but also your mind and body, for this precious little life that's about to join yours forever. Even though right now it may seem like nine months is too long a wait, when D-day arrives and you're finally holding your baby in your arms, you'll be grateful for the months of preparation that made your transition to parenthood as seamless as possible.
So, take a nice, deep breath. Relax, prop up your feet, and know that now is definitely the time to get ready for baby — because later on, you'll be too tired to do anything else but love this incredible little being that's magically transformed your life!