What to Expect Before You’re Expecting Summary

Summary of What to Expect Before You’re Expecting Book by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel

Name: What to Expect Before You’re Expecting
Rating: 4.6 (1434 reviews)
Author: Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel

4.6 . 1434 reviews

Short summary

The emotional and relationship issues couples often encounter while trying to conceive may be the font of all conflicts. It often requires counsel and guidance for couples to overcome the stress that can occur when conception takes longer than expected. This summary is one resource that will fully prepare you and your partner for one of life’s most miraculous experiences, at the time when preparation will benefit your future baby most: before you’re expecting. Heidi Murkoff conceived the idea that birthed the what-to-expect book series during her first pregnancy. The book series has sold over 42 million copies and has been translated into 34 languages. Sharon Mazel, a journalism major with a Master’s degree from the same discipline from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, is also an expert in parenting, pregnancy, family issues, news, and medical coverage. “It’s time to add more months to pregnancy. Those extra months aren’t meant to be spent being pregnant, they’re meant to be spent getting ready to be pregnant.” ~ Heidi Murkoff

16 min

8 key points

7 insights

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Table of content

Summary of What to Expect Before You’re Expecting
About the author
What is What to Expect Before You’re Expecting about?
Who should read What to Expect Before You’re Expecting
Topics in What to Expect Before You’re Expecting

first key point

Does it matter to expect before expecting?

Listen the first key point

00:00

The fact is, to have a healthy pregnancy, a series of preparations would have preceded copulation; before the early signs start setting in, and a self-administered pregnancy test confirms the joyous suspicions. A healthy pregnancy begins before you’re expecting. Hence, if you plan to get pregnant soon, you should start planning and prepping beforehand.

In this summary, you’ll find the important information you need to know and everything medical experts recommend you do to get your and your partner’s body into the best shape possible before you start baby-making. Some things to consider are the preconception diet and the fertility-zapping foods — and drinks. It’s also necessary to get fit for high fertility and healthy pregnancy (there should be a balance between obesity and malnourishment to give a high likelihood of conception and an uncomplicated pregnancy). Medications should also come into the spotlight; some should be at arm’s reach, while some should not, e.g., birth control. The male partner should also commit by protecting his sperm reservoir from hot saunas, drugs, and cigarettes to heighten a synergy of fertility (while ensuring the health of your future baby). These all are efforts to have healthier moms, dads, pregnancies, and babies.

The build-up to conception may turn out to be more important than the pregnancy phase itself.

You may have started the warm-up to your conception campaign already, or perhaps you’re still giving it a thought. You can start optimizing your preconception plans as you go through this summary. It would be an early gift to the baby of your dreams — life with a healthful prospect.

This summary will guide you through putting time aside and adding a few months to your baby-making calendar to achieve all the mentioned goals. It will equally enlighten you on the first steps to take before diving into bed for the baby-making journey.

second key point

Prepping and weighing in before making a baby

Are you considering growing a baby bump? Preparing for baby-making isn’t only about ditching birth control (though you’ll need to do that), charting your ovulation (you’ll probably want to do that), and heading to bed. It’s equally about prepping your body — and that of your spouse — into the best shape possible for baby-making. Right from drinks to medications you and your partner take, to the habits you know (without consultation) to be unhealthy, to the vitamins you’ve always put off taking — getting atop your preconception prep and taking control of the helm will start you off on the right foot. So, before heading off to the baby-making arena, give careful consideration to the steps you ought to take.

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third key point

You, and your child, are indeed what you eat

fourth key point

How to understand your body and predict fertility peaks

fifth key point

Figuring out your level of fertility

sixth key point

Some fertility challenges that may affect conception

seventh key point

Is it okay to get help when the numbers don’t add up?

eighth key point

Conclusion

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What is What to Expect Before You’re Expecting about?

This informative guide offers essential advice and insights for couples who are planning to start a family. Covering a wide range of topics, it provides practical tips on preparing both physically and emotionally for pregnancy. From understanding fertility and tracking ovulation to adopting a healthy lifestyle and managing potential challenges, this book serves as a comprehensive resource to help couples navigate the exciting journey of conception and pregnancy.

Who should read What to Expect Before You’re Expecting

Couples planning to start a family and seeking preconception guidance.
Women who want to prepare their bodies for a healthy pregnancy.
Individuals looking for comprehensive information on fertility and conception.

Topics in What to Expect Before You’re Expecting

Pregnancy Women's Health Parenting Health Self-Help for Women Relationships Marriage Family Self-Care Nutrition Mental Health Wellness Self-Discovery

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