<p>Planning for Pregnancy&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; Birth&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and Beyond is a complete guide to<br />

preconceptional&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; prenatal&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and postpartum care. The American<br />

College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AGOG) the national<br />

medical organization devoted to women s health--has assembled<br />

ill Oldie YoIunlc cv~rytIlin~ ia ~v~vnan ~ nou~ Y~n~v u~o~u~ k~s p:~-<br />

nancy--before&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; during&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and afterward. It is designed to enable a<br />

woman to take an active role in her health care so she can work<br />

with her doctor and health care team toward having a healthy baby.<br />

Planning for Pregnancy&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; Birth&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and Beyond begins with the<br />

preconceptional period&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; that important time before pregnancy when<br />

a woman s health and life style can have a major impact on net<br />

baby. It continues with detailed explanations of changes that oc-<br />

cur over the 9 months of pregnancy&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and concludes with a step-by-<br />

step description of labor and delivery. There is detailed informa-<br />

tion on what a woman can expect after she and her baby go home.<br />

The latest advances in medical care are combined with practical<br />

information on general health and well-being in areas such as nu-<br />

trition&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; exercise&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; work&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and relationships.<br />

Since it was first published&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; Planning for Pregnancy&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; Birth&iuml;&frac14;&OElig;<br />

andBeyond has become a classic&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; guiding over one million women<br />

through their pregnancies. The second edition has been completely<br />

revised and updated&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; with new information in every chapter and<br />

two additional chapters. One of the new chapters is devoted to<br />

techniques for assessing the well-being of the fetus&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; highlighting<br />

the latest methods for checking on the baby s health before birth.<br />

The other new chapter focuses on a less happy event&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; but one that<br />

cannot be ignored. Not all babies are Iorn healthy&iuml;&frac14;&OElig; and when this<br />

occurs the parents grieve and need supi~rt. Advances in early de-<br />

tection of genetic disorders have beeni included to help parents be<br />

better informed of their risks. </p>