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Expecting Change: Your Guide to the Emotional Journey of Pregnancy »

Authors: Ellen Sue Stern
ISBN-13: 9780743236935, ISBN-10: 0743236939
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Meadowbrook Press
Date Published: May 2004
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Author Biography: Ellen Sue Stern

Book Synopsis

Ellen Sue Stern has created a much-needed guide to the emotional changes that occur throughout the nine months of pregnancy. Expecting Change: Because There's More to Pregnancy Than Having a Baby helps expectant mothers deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of pregnancy and childbirth-a topic not adequately covered in any other book. Stern enlightens women about the different emotional stages of pregnancy including all the doubts, fears, and elations of expectancy. This book grew out of a popular series of Expecting Change workshops for expectant mothers.

	Introduction	xiii
	The Birth of Expecting Change	xiii
	Your Guide to the Emotional Journey of Pregnancy	xv
Stage 1	First Trimester	1
Chapter 1	It's Absolutely, Definitely Positive!	3
	First Waves of Emotion	4
	Breaking the News	5
	Telling Your Partner	5
	Telling Your Family and Friends	8
	Telling Your Family	9
	Telling Your Friends	11
	Telling a Sibling-to-Be	12
	Telling Your Employer and Coworkers	13
Chapter 2	You're Pregnant--but Why?	17
	The Choice to Be Pregnant	18
	Four Reasons for Being Pregnant	20
	The Desire to Change Your Life	20
	The Yearning for Stability	22
	The Longing to Nurture	23
	The Need for Purpose	24
	Warning: Setups Can Be Hazardous to Your Emotional Health!	25
	Deciding to Have Another Child	27
Chapter 3	Coping	29
	The Loss of Control	29
	Taking Charge	31
	Get Informed	31
	Adjust Your Lifestyle	32
	Learn How to Say No	33
	Do Something!	34
	Ask for Help	34
	Be Aware of Yourself	35
	Letting Go	36
	Coping for Single Mothers-to-Be	38
Chapter 4	Expectations	41
	Handling Unsolicited Advice	41
	Sorting Through What You Read	43
	The Perfect Pregnant Woman	44
	Your Partner's Expectations	47
Stage 2	Second Trimester	49
Chapter 5	Taking Stock	51
	Getting Comfortable with Your Pregnancy	52
	How You See Yourself	53
	How You See Your Partner	54
	Lifestyle, Values, and Friendships	56
	Dollars and Sense	57
	Where to Work?	58
	Investing in Your Pregnancy	62
	Taking Stock for Over-Thirty-Five Mothers-to-Be	63
Chapter 6	Getting the Support You Need	65
	Support Systems	66
	Your Partner	66
	Your Family and Friends	66
	Your Medical Provider	67
	Your Workplace	67
	Your Childbirth Class	68
	Your Place of Worship	68
	Support Groups and Workshops	68
	The Support You Need	69
	Physical Support	69
	Reassurance	70
	Commitment	70
	Respect	71
	Empowerment	71
	Acceptance	72
	Accommodation	73
	How to Ask for Support	74
	Identifying Your Feelings	74
	Defining the Support You Need	75
	Creating Solutions	75
	Taking Action	76
Chapter 7	Is Three a Crowd?	77
	Your Sexuality	77
	Your Body and Your Sexuality	79
	Staying Close to Your Partner	82
	Pregnancy, Parenthood, and Sex	83
Stage 3	Third Trimester	85
Chapter 8	Facing Your Fears	87
	Fear of Birth Defects or the Baby's Death	88
	Fear of Motherhood	90
	Fear of Childbirth Pain	92
	Fear of Losing Control	94
	Taking Charge	94
	Letting Go	95
	Fear of Freaking Out	96
	Fear of Exposing Your Body	97
	Fear of Not Being Strong Enough	97
	Fear of Not Having Support from Your Partner	99
	Fear of Not Having the Perfect Birth	101
Chapter 9	You're Almost There	103
	Relishing the Last Days of Pregnancy	103
	Your Pregnant Body	104
	Intimacy with Your Baby	104
	The Attention of Others	104
	Life as You Know It	106
	Preparing for Childbirth	107
	Preparing for Postpartum	110
	Where's the Baby?	113
Stage 4	Postpartum	117
Chapter 10	The Bridge	119
	The Bonding Myth	120
	Remembering the Birth	122
	Postpartum Honeymoon	123
	Coming Home	125
	Postpartum Care and Support	128
	Visitors	131
	Postpartum Blues	133
	Your Relationship with Your Partner	135
	Postpartum for Veteran Mothers	136
	Reaping the Rewards	137
	Afterword	139

Subjects

Parenting & Family

Pregnancy & Childbirth

Pregnancy & Childbirth - Pregnancy

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Category Books

Expecting Change: Your Guide to the Emotional Journey of Pregnancy »

Author Biography: Ellen Sue Stern

Book Synopsis

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