Author Description

NCT Pregnancy draws on the National Childbirth Trust's unparalleled expertise and experience in the field of childcare to guide parents-to-be calmly through the nine months of pregnancy to birth. This guide covers every stage of pregnancy from conception through to labour, birth and the early days with a new baby. First-hand accounts by a young mother (20-25), an older mother (35-40) and a second-time mother provide the reader with invaluable insight. Tips and advice from the NCT experts, together with essential, clearly presented factual information mean that this accessible guide is expressly written for parents by parents. Each pregnancy is divided into four key stages: Stage 1, first trimester: (up to 12 weeks) planning for the early stages; how to cope with pregnancy sickness; what's on offer in antenatal care; sensible diet; how to deal with miscarriage or termination Stage 2, second trimester: (12 to 28 weeks) diet, exercise and weight gain; adjusting your workload; relationships and sex; preparing a child for the arrival of a sibling Stage 3, third trimester: birth preparation through relaxation, breathing exercises and massage; preparing for labour; being overdue Stage 4 -- The Birth: what actually happens in labour; long/short labours; caesareans; assisted deliveries. Stage 4 -- After the Birth; body changes and new emotions; feeding your baby; settling in at home; postnatal exercises and classes. Packed with instructive colour photographs, the NCT Pregnancy is the ultimate pregnancy companion from the world's largest and most respected antenatal organisation.