pre-conception

Can anyone recommend a book about healthcare and whatnot prior to conceiving? Perhaps one that covers all phases (preconception, conception, birth)?

Thanks.

Most pregnancy books (The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby, What to Expect When You're Expecting) have pretty extensive pre-conception sections.  In fact, those two in particular, almost the entire first half of the book is taken up with it!

I'm not crazy about either of them for pregnancy itself (Unofficial Guide is too broad, and What to Expect is too preachy) but they're good resources anyway, and good for all that preconception stuff.

I'm not aware of any books just about preconception and conception, with the possible exception of (here she goes again) Toni Weschler's Taking Charge of Your Fertility.  That book is sort of a guide to the female cycle and can be invaluable for birth control or conception.  (And yes, everyone, I know this pregnancy is the result of NFP...but that was my mistake and carelessness, not Toni Weschler's.   )

Good luck!

Oh, and lots of pregnancy magazines have stories about preconception as well-check them out too!

Hiya,  I've also heard the Toni Weschlers book is great!  I actually ordered it used in the US and I'm having my mom send it to me.  Also, I have bought The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy
by Vicki Iovine for almost all my friends who have had kids and they all LOVED it!!!!  So I would look for that one after conception.  No kids here yet, but I will cross my fingers for us both!!!

(Anyone know any good message boards for this as well, or just a really good website?)

Taking Charge of Your Fertility is fantastic, whether you're trying to conceive, practicing natural birth control or for insights into female reproductive health at many stages of life...it is comprehensive and easy to understand (well, the trying NOT to get pregnant is a bit harder than the conceiving part!) I would suggest this book to start with.

I don't have anything to suggest, but I'll NON-suggest any Miriam Stoppard books you find. I know people think she's the God of All That Concerns Babies in the UK - but her book is literally the only book I've ever ripped up and thrown away in my life. She's a bit - um - too um - judgemental for my tastes.

I don't have anything to suggest, but I'll NON-suggest any Miriam Stoppard books you find. I know people think she's the God of All That Concerns Babies in the UK - but her book is literally the only book I've ever ripped up and thrown away in my life. She's a bit - um - too um - judgemental for my tastes.

Thanks for that. I came across something of hers at the hospital once and have to say it didn't really endear me to her. I don't do judgemental when it comes to parenthood!

I don't have any suggestions but I just wanted to say it's great you are informing youself - we never read anything and I had no idea I should have been taking folic acid until my positive pregnancy test.   

My mother bought me about 10 bottles of Folic acid a year ago.  I was not even engaged yet!!!   (or PG obviously!!!) Needless to say, I still have a lot and even found another bottle in my suitcase that my mother thoughtfully popped in there. 

My mother bought me about 10 bottles of Folic acid a year ago.  I was not even engaged yet!!!   (or PG obviously!!!) Needless to say, I still have a lot and even found another bottle in my suitcase that my mother thoughtfully popped in there. 

Sheesh! She's not trying to tell you anything, is she?!!! 

I think we need a pregnant smiley somehow on here.........

Yep - definitely with the folic acid! My husband's twin brother has spina-bifida so we were all wondering if it would get passed on to our children, I've been taking folic acid since David & I met. Speaking of which - need to get back on that!

ALSO: as far as books are concerned (pre-conception and when you're pregnant) I really struggled finding one that didn't make me feel *this* big, for any number of reasons. The 1 that I SWEAR by is Kaz Cooke's book, The Rough Guide to Pregnancy blah blah. Anything by Kaz Cooke! Apparently she's working on a todderl book and I'll be all over that when it comes out. (Should go check right now). It's full of really great informtaion, her diary is funny & true to life & unglamorous - my book looks like it has been in a blender I've opened it so many times. I also swear by the Baby Whisperer, but I know a lot of people don't...

Going to get the folic acid today! 

But yes, her toddler book is out:



Gonna go have a fun browse through all the books today. The DF is away for a week - he'll be a wee bit surprised by the new reading material. It wouldn't occur to him to think of preconception health. As I said, I'm intrested in getting myself as healthy as possible well before we actually make any serious effort! 

I feel like I will jinx myself if I buy any books   I guess I'll have to wait, but the one you suggest sounds fab!  I'll add Kaz to my list.

Whee! I'm buying her book today!
I figure I'll read the toddler books before he's a toddler, since I won't have time for it when he actually hits that glorious stage. 

Ack - it's published July 29, 2004 in the UK, will have to wait a bit. 

OK, been shopping!  Got my folic acid and some books. Couldn't find the Rough Guide but figure I can order that later.

I got the Weschler book plus Patrick Holford's Optimum Nutrition Before, During and After Pregnancy and also Mary Kittel's Stay Fertile Longer as I'll be almost 35 when we really get serious.

Let me know if any of you hate any of those for any particular reason. Marles, I think all of them are gonna make me feel yea big. I sat at Debenhams skimming through them as I ate a brie and bacon baguette and salt and vinegar crisps. Now, I don't normally do that (really!) but it just figures I was as I took my first dip into them! Bad, bad, bad.