Becoming a Parent The Emotional Journey Through Pregnancy and Childbirth [Paperback]

An emotional survival guide to pregnancy and childbirth

Like the other volumes in the Family Matters series, this authoritative new book provides expert advice to ordinary people struggling with everyday challenges-in this case, the emotional trials of new mothers. Enduring the stresses of pregnancy and giving birth are only half of what it takes to become a parent. The other half involves adjusting emotionally to the reality of a newborn. With tips on getting outside help and discussion points useful in self-therapy, Becoming a Parent offers real-life solutions, based on actual cases, to every sort of difficulty new parents might expect.

Jackie Ganley (London, UK) works for Britain's National Health Service.About the author.

Preface.

Acknowledgements.

1. Deciding on parenthood.

What are we letting ourselves in for?

What does it mean to be a family?

What does it mean to be a mother? Changes for women.

The tasks of parenting.

The needs of parents.

Isn’t the decision different for everyone?

What if I don’t become pregnant?

Who can help?

Discussion points.

2. Conception.

Conception: the other side of family planning.

Discovering you are pregnant.

When pregnancy doesn’t happen.

Infertility.

Taking a different path.

The emotional impact of fertility problems and treatments.

Who can help?

Discussion points.

3. The stages of pregnancy.

Introduction.

The first few weeks: fears and acceptance.