Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood Recommended Reading for Prospective Parents

"Preparation for Pregnancy Birth and Motherhood" by Irish midwife Nancy Murphy is a comprehensive guide for prospective and expectant parents. The author deems pre conceptive care has colossal potential to influence pregnancy outcome. Conversely, an unhealthy lifestyle endangers the health of the mother and her developing baby. Inadequate preparation for pregnancy and birth is a major factor in the cause of complications which may be modified or even prevented by careful preparation. While the biological process of pregnancy does not change; women's lives have changed as have their expectations. Today women can plan,defer or prevent pregnancy. Some conceive in their youth while others may be approaching the end of their particular fertility span. Many women feel well and believe themselves to be in perfect health yet may have a lifestyle with a potential to make them less well or even become ill. The complexity of women's lives in todays world tends to encompass a certain threat to women's health . It is questionable how much healthier our babies would be or how many women would not suffer from miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, a difficult birth or other complications had their lifestyle (and that of their partner) being healthier before and during pregnancy. It is imperative that women understand the biological and physcological factors pertinent to their health and integrate this knowledge into their lifestyle. Optimal care by doctors and midwives can only achieve optimal health of of mother and baby if the mother takes equally good care of her own health. The objective of "Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood" is to empower women with knowledge in order to minimise risks and pregress to a full term pregnancy and birth of a healthy baby.