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Health Books about pregnancy


What is pregnancy?

Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or fetuses by female mammals, including humans, inside their bodies. In a pregnancy there can be multiple gestations (for example, in the case of twins, or triplets). Human pregnancy is the most studied of all mammalian pregnancies.

Human pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks between the time of the last menstrual cycle and birth (38 weeks from fertilisation). The medical term for a pregnant woman is "genetalian," just as the medical term for the unborn human is an embryo (early weeks) and then "foetus" (until birth). A woman who is pregnant for the first time is known as a primigravida or gravida 1: a woman who has never been pregnant is known as a gravida 0; similarly, the terms para 0, para 1 and so on are used for the number of times a woman has given birth.

In many societies' medical and legal definitions, human pregnancy is arbitrarily divided into three trimester periods, as a means to simplify reference to the different stages of fetal development. The first trimester period carries the highest risk of miscarriage (natural death of embryo or fetus), while during the second trimester the development of the fetus can start to be monitored and diagnosed. The third trimester marks the beginning of viability, which means the fetus can survive if an early natural or induced birth occurs. Because of the possible viability of developed fetus, cultural and legal definitions of life often consider a fetus in the third trimester to be a distinct living person.

See also Pregnancy terms and definitions
(The Pregnancy Journal: A Day To Day Guide To A Healthy And Happy Pregnancy)

The Pregnancy Journal: A Day To Day Guide To A Healthy And Happy Pregnancy

A. Christine Harris

Chronicle Books, 2005-03

Price: $19.95

Whether this is pregnancy number 1 or number 10, nothing makes it easier to connect with a growing baby than knowing exactly what magical development is happening every day. Filling the need for practical information, medical data, emotional and spiritual fuel, and even "pregnancy trivia," The Pregnancy Journal is easily one of the best books available for a woman or couple expecting a baby. The journal contains about half a page of information for each day from conception through delivery. Nutrition, how to avoid discomforts associated with pregnancy, childbirth customs in other cultures, and practical parenting tips are among the topics touched on. Many days in the journal have a great section called "Did You Know"; for example, from Day 49: "The baby's arms at this point are only as long as this printed 1." At the bottom of each page is a quote from a literary or historical figure; some are sentimental, some pithy, some humorous, all inspiring.

The information and quotes seem to invite musings and speculation on the miracle unfolding inside the womb; there is some space for recording data and thoughts, but if you want to write more than just a few lines every few days, you might want to have a blank journal to accompany The Pregnancy Journal. The format of this book makes it much more manageable and inviting than most books on pregnancy, and the information is made even more accessible by the inclusion of a glossary/subject index in the back. Don't wait until the shower to give this excellent resource and thoughtful gift--moms-to-be will want to have it from the very beginning. --Katherine Ferguson

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Reviews:

Involve Daddy!
Every night as we went to bed, my husband would read what was happening to the baby that day. It was a great way for him to be involved in the pregnancy and it helped make everything more real for us. I wouldn't start reading mine until I was 12 weeks, but it would make a great gift early in someone's pregnancy. The human body is a miraculous thing and reading this book daily makes you realize all the amazing things that are happening to create your child.
Excellent
I am 33 weeks pregnant and received this book as a gift when I was barely two months. It has been wonderful for my husband and I to read about the progress of our baby. I like that I can read daily if I like, or I can save it to read weekly.
Wonderful Gift
My good friend gave this to me as a gift when she found out I'm expecting my second baby. So far, I love it. I love having a spot to record my memories and changes. I didn't have anything like this with my first baby and I regret not being able to look back and read about my experience.
Great!!!
I love this book. It has interesting little facts that are so cute. Like how big the baby is compared to this period: . Each day I am excited to read and see what is happening to me and to the baby. It also explains what scientific terms mean. Which is great for me because this is my first pregnancy and I have no idea what some of those words mean.
LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
My husband bought me this journal when I was pregnant with our son, Jack, so when I found out my sister was pregnant I had to get it for her! This journal takes you day by day and tells you what's going on with baby's development, and you get to write how you feel today physically and chart your progression. This is a MUST HAVE for any mom-to-be!


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© 2006 by Dave Taylor: Content from Amazon and Wikipedia

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