"Pregnancy is natural, healthy and fun, right? Sure it is, if you're lucky. For others, it's an adventure in physical discomfort, unachievable ideals, kooky classes and meddling experts. When Monica Dux found herself pregnant with her first child, she was dismayed to find she belonged firmly in the second category. For her, pregnancy could only be described as a medium-level catastrophe. So, three years later and about to birth her second child, Monica went on a quest- to figure out what's really going on when we incubate. Monica explores the aspects of baby-making that we all want to talk about, but which are too embarrassing, unsettling or downright confronting. She also looks at the powerful forces that shape women's experiences of being pregnant in the west, the exploitative industries, and the medical and physical realities behind it all. Along the way, she fends off sadistic maternal health nurses, attempts to expand then contract her vagina, and struggles to keep her baby's placenta off her hippy brother's lunch menu."

What if your pregnancy isn't the dream you always imagined and instead has turned into a living nightmare? What if instead of your doctor telling you these aches and pains are normal and there's nothing that can be done, you had a practitioner that not only listened to you but helped you? It is possible. Dr. Brandie Nemchenko, a pregnancy chiropractor with over fifteen-years of experience has developed a self-help run-through that has helped thousands of patients in her private practice near Philadelphia. In her "keeping it real" and humorous manner, Dr. Brandie not only gives you the tools and mechanics of what you can safely try, she also "gets it" and helps you find ways to cope and think differently in this "new but temporary normal." Breaking down the typical cases she sees in her office, she explains why these things happen and what you can STOP doing today to help you break the pain cycle so that you can do the things you need to do, even while pregnant. You'll also learn: - Your second pregnancy is often worse and comes with predictable pains and what you can do to ease the pain and better yet how to keep it from occurring. - How to think critically about the decisions you need to make for you and your unborn baby. - How you can ask and get the support you need. With dozens of case studies and personal insight Dr. Brandie can help radically change your pregnancy from one that is painful to one that is enjoyed. Pregnancy should be one of the most special times in your life and remembered for the joy not the pain. The goal of this book is to guide you to the best support team and practices to ensure you have the pregnancy of your dreams.

Written by two postpartum experts, a definitive guide offering compassionate support and solid advice on dealing with every aspect of Postpartum Depression (PPD). If you or someone you love is among the one in seven women stricken by PPD, you know how hard it is to get real help. This proven self-help program, which can be used alone or with a support group or therapist, will help you monitor each phase of illness, recognize when you need professional help, cope with daily life, and recover with new strength and confidence. Learn how to: Identify the symptoms of PPD and distinguish it from "baby blues" Deal with panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive urges, and stress overload Break the cycle of shame and negative thoughts Mobilize support from your husband or partner, family, and friends Seek and evaluate treatment options Cope with the disappointment and loss of self-esteem

In the second installment of the New York Times bestselling series, detective of the supernatural R.F. Jackaby and his assistant Abigail Rook follow a case to a paleontological dig site in nearby Gad's Valley on the trail of a thief, a monster, and a murderer. In 1892, New Fiddleham, New England, things are never quite what they seem, especially when Abigail Rook and her eccentric employer, R. F. Jackaby, are called upon to investigate the supernatural. First vicious shape-shifters disguise themselves as a litter of kittens, and a day later, their owner is found murdered. Then in nearby Gad’s Valley, bones from a recent dig mysteriously go missing, and an unidentifiable beast starts attacking animals and people, leaving mangled bodies behind. Charlie calls on Abigail for help, and soon Abigail and Jackaby are on the hunt—for a thief, a monster, and a murderer.

Most people realize that marriage is a big transition-that's why premarital counseling has become popular. But what about having a baby? Where is the pre-parental counseling? Childbirth classes describe how to get through labor, delivery, and those first feedings, but this new baby will require the parents to do much more. They will have to renegotiate their time together, their time at work, their leisure, their housework-everything. Without clear guidance, many first time parents may have unreasonable expectations about their new lives. Gleaning the results of 186 surveys and interviews, What They Didn't Expect When They Were Expecting . . . And How They Became Better Parents describes findings such as: * Fifty percent of the couples had at least one unexpected pregnancy.* None of the expectant parents thought they would have conflict over parenting. Nevertheless, all of those parents admitted to some conflict five years later.* Most expectant parents didn't think work would interfere with family life. But five years later, the mothers' #1 complaint was that their husbands worked too much.Additionally, this book provides practical, biblically-based guidance for expectant parents and parents of young children. Some of the topics addressed are:* How parents can take care of their family's needs as well as their own.* Why it's good for moms to get some space from the kids.* How to recognize toxic messages from the workplace and the media; messages that work against a happy family. * Practical techniques for child discipline.* Balancing work and family.* How dads can be equal parenting partners.* Practical techniques for resolving parenting conflicts.* Important information concerning the most appropriate types of childcare. What They Didn't Expect When They Were Expecting and How They Became Better Parents reveals how strengthening your marriage improves your parenting.

Cuts through the confusion surrounding pregnancy and birth by debunking dozens of myths that mislead parents, offering explanations of medical terms, and covering a variety of issues including prenatal care, birth defects, and amniocentesis.

Every year, 400,000 families in the United States welcome premature babies ... Ten percent of babies born in the U.S. are preemies. But that one word, "preemie," encompasses a range of medical and cultural experiences. There are textbooks, medical-ish guidebooks, and the occasional memoir to turn to ... but no book that collects personal experiences from the many people who have parented, cared for, or been preemies themselves. Until now. In What We Didn't Expect, journalist Melody Schreiber brings together a chorus of acclaimed writers and thinkers to share their diverse stories of having or being premature babies. The stories here cover everything from life-changing tests of faith to navigating the red tape of healthcare bureuacracy; from overcoming unimaginable grief to surviving and thriving against all odds. The result is a moving, heartfelt book, and a crucial and informative resource for anyone who has, or is about to have, the experience of dealing with a premature birth.