At last, everything you need to know about the latest in alternative and conventional healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy—in one comprehensive, jargon-free guide. Whether you embrace the philosophy that mind, body, and spirit work together to promote good health or you’re just looking for a way to have the healthiest, most comfortable pregnancy possible, The Whole Pregnancy Handbook has the information you need to make educated decisions and take charge of your prenatal care. The

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“A fabulous resource for moms-to-be! In this comprehensive guide to nutrition and health during pregnancy, Ward provides solid, research-based answers to women’s most frequently asked questions about diet, exercise, weight gain, and supplements and offers specific advice that’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine.”-Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D., bestselling author of Joy’s Life Diet and nutrition/health expert for the Today Show”Ward and the ADA serve up practical, easy-to-use advice that is su

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Having a miscarriage can be really difficult for a couple, especially for the mother. Merely thinking that she lost her baby can lead to depression. The coping capability of couples varies. Some couples move on and proceed to conceiving a child again while some find it difficult to just forget about losing a child. Getting pregnant after a miscarriage should be discussed by the couple and they should ensure that things are all right before trying to conceive again. If not, this may affect both of them emotionally.

Pregnancy loss is very hard to deal with but parents should not let this event eat up the whole of them because when this happens, their relationship may be affected. Instead, they should continually support each other. If in case the parents decide that they are ready to conceive again, they should consult the doctor so that they can know whether the woman is physically ready for getting pregnant after a miscarriage. This should be done especially when the woman has encountered several miscarriages. Determining the root cause of the problem may help the couple and improve the chance of survival of their next child.

There are several causes of miscarriages and one of them is the inability of the chromosomes to develop in the womb. Another cause is a deficiency in the hormone progesterone. Getting pregnant after a miscarriage should be done with proper prenatal care. Additionally, the woman should keep her body healthy by eating nutritious foods and doing physical activities.

For women, their menstrual cycle can be divided into three: the Kappa, the Vata, and the Pitta. Disturbances in these phases can affect the fertility of the woman. To cure this, Ayurvedic medicine for infertility suggests that fresh herbs should be taken. This is also the treatment for male infertility. The treatment aims to remove the interferences that affect fertility.

This great infertility cure guide ==> The Pregnancy Miracle, teaches you a unique 5 step holistic infertility cure system that has proven to completely reverse infertility in women, and enable them to get pregnant naturally within just 5 weeks of trying!

Click on the link above, to read more about this guide, and discover how it has been helping thousands of women allover the world with infertility related issues.

About the Author

This great infertility cure guide: The Pregnancy Miracle, teaches you a unique 5 step holistic infertility cure system that has proven to completely reverse infertility in women, and enable them to get pregnant naturally within just 5 weeks of trying!

How soon after a miscarriage can you get pregnant? This would depend on how far down the pregnancy you were. The recovery period is somewhere within some weeks to some months.

During pregnancy, your body secretes Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone that eliminates the creation of ovulation-stimulating hormones. Levels of hCG are only going to start to fall after the fetal tissue is removed by means of childbirth labor or losing the unborn baby. Levels of hCG should fall to 0 % before you can begin ovulating. The span of time needed for hCG to disappear in a lady’s body relies on the hCG levels she’s got present in her system. The farther down the pregnancy that you are, the higher are your hCG levels the longer it takes that you could ovulate once again after a loss of an unborn child.

If you experienced a miscarriage you might get vaginal hemorrhaging like your monthly period. It might persist to 7 days. Regular menstrual cycle may possibly resume three to six weeks after the loss of an unborn child. You could also experience light bleeding or spotting. Cramps in the lower abdominal area could continue up to a couple of days. Breast milk may flow out of the breast and they can be still inflamed. Cold compress on the breast or a supportive bra can give relief. The pain typically vanishes entirely within 1 week. Other pregnancy-related hormones could stay in your body up to 2 months just after the miscarriage.

The risk of a miscarriage may be decreased with the right pre-conception care. Eighty-five percent of females who miscarried were able to have a successful pregnancy on the following try. 75 % of females who miscarried two or three times managed to get a successful pregnancy on the following try.

There is certainly no particular time period as to when you could possibly try to get pregnant once more. Yet, numerous physicians agree you need to wait a couple of months (usually 3 months) before you try to conceive once more. The longer you wait the bigger are your probability of an excellent pregnancy. By trying to have a baby earlier when your body is not set, your risk of another miscarriage is greater.

How could you lower your possibility of a miscarriage?

]]> http://www.prenataldepression.org/how-soon-after-a-miscarriage-can-you-get-pregnant-facts-you-need-to-know.html/feed 0 http://www.prenataldepression.org/super-fit-mama-stay-fit-during-pregnancy-and-get-your-body-back-after-baby.html http://www.prenataldepression.org/super-fit-mama-stay-fit-during-pregnancy-and-get-your-body-back-after-baby.html#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:49:03 +0000 admin http://www.prenataldepression.org/super-fit-mama-stay-fit-during-pregnancy-and-get-your-body-back-after-baby.html Super Fit Mama: Stay Fit During Pregnancy and Get Your Body Back after Baby

If you’re concerned about the best way to keep your body and baby healthy during pregnancy—or how you’ll ever lose the excess weight afterward—you’re not alone. Fitness expert Tracey Mallett faced those same challenges when she gained 55 pounds that didn’t melt right off after her daughter’s birth. But gone were the days where she had endless hours and energy to exercise. So she created workouts that take only a few minutes a day—after all, busy moms are short on time!

Su

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Postnatal depression is a common depressive illness and occurs in 1 to 7 to 10 mothers; it is common for women after giving birth to a child to experience feeling low. Nobody knows what causes postnatal depression but it has been concluded  although there is no actual explanation for PND that the illness may arise due to the hormone change after childbirth also the stress of looking after a new baby and the disrupt to a mothers sleep can effect susceptible people.

Symptoms of PND;

Feeling low
Being unable to enjoy yourself
Irritability
Finding it hard to go to sleep
Constantly exhausted
Anxiety
Feeling worthless, hopeless
(Maybe) Appetite
Feeling there’s no way out of their (family) problems

PND is treatable; it is treated in the same way as ordinary depression. Talking about the problem to somebody such as a health professional like the mother’s health visitor or doctor will help the mother get additional help and support they may need with looking after a baby and getting treatment with depression. The most important thing to remember is to get better as soon as possible for the sake of mother and baby.

Baby blues

Baby blue’s the commonest and mildest form of  PND following childbirth, it is normal for baby blues to occur, it consists of the mother experiencing spells of irritability, feeling down and upset or a crying for  a few days. It is more common for first time mothers and who have experienced problems with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS or PMT). It is known to probably be caused by the rapid female hormone changes the mother has been going through since giving birth to her, baby blues tends to sort and normally doesn’t require and other treatment than reassurance from others such as professionals, family and friends, that what they are experiencing is completely normal.

Postnatal Psychosis

Is a very rare complication of depression after childbirth, it affects 1 in every 500 women or so, mainly it occurs in mothers that have had previous medical history of serious mental illness or has a strong family history of mental illness, the symptoms felt by a person with postnatal psychosis is depression, other symptoms include false ideas, delusions, hearing voices and hallucinating. These symptoms appear from couple of days after childbirth or can even start up to a few weeks after a mother giving birth.

This type of PND requires treatment and which treatment the mother needs depend on the symptoms the mother is having or feeling, this will normally involve a psychiatrist and it is imperative for the mother to get help and treatment as soon as possible.

Impossible expectations are often to blame for disappointment. It should be realized from the outset that you are not probable to lose much weight in the first few weeks after the baby is born. You should give your womb at least four weeks to adjust to its original size. It may never be the same size as before, but there are many ways to ways to lose body fat that was gained during pregnancy.

The duration after the birth of a baby may be rather unfavorable time for trying losing weight after having a baby. It is also very hectic. Avoid placing additional physical or mental pressure on yourself by trying to lose weight too fast. It will be more sensible to give your body at least six weeks to adjust. It has been through colossal stress and needs some recovery time. Set practical targets and do not try to lose more than two pounds per week.

If you are breastfeeding, remember that your body will need more nutrition in order to produce healthy milk for the baby. Let your appetite guide you and eat if you are hungry. Breastfeeding usually burns approximately five hundred calories per day. Do not eat too much fast food, as baby needs good nutrition. Rather stick to wholesome snacks such as smoothies, yogurt, dried fruits or potato wedges.

Postnatal depression could cause you to lose your appetite, so be sure to see your doctor if this is the case. Never skip meals and drink plenty water. Sometimes you may feel hungry, when you are really just thirsty. Sip on water throughout the day.

After your postnatal checkup, you should be ready to join an exercise session. Hypoxi training is usually allowed after six weeks or two months after a c-section. Your physician will give you the go-ahead when the time is right. Several fitness centers have baby-sitting facilities. This is ideal for mothers who want to exercise, but do not want to leave a young baby with a maid at home. This way, you will be right there if your baby wants you.

Be sure to exercise after you have fed baby. Many babies refuse to feed after exercise. Another great idea for baby weight loss is to take your baby for a walk in his or her pram or in a kangaroo strap. Some stroller companies even offer jogging strollers that are a great option for mothers who want to go jogging with baby.

Be sure to stick to a nutritious diet containing all the food groups. Eat more wholegrain, fruits and vegetables. High fiber foods will keep you fuller for longer. Whole grains are complex carbohydrates that provide long-term energy. Vegetables usually have a high water content and high fiber. They are usually fat free and low in calories. Fruits are a great source of essential minerals and vitamins. Basing your diet on these food groups will help to balance your diet, resulting in your metabolism performing properly. Before you know, you will be losing weight after pregnancy.

Plus my mom had trouble conceiving. She was in the midst of adoption and was doing fertility drugs before my older sister came along.

And don’t think I’m mental, but my grandma saw a psychic who said I’d have trouble conceiving.

So I’m wondering, what do I need to do beforehand. Should I start taking pre-natal vitamins? I didn’t mention that I suffer from depression and take 300 mg of Effexor (it went up in the last 2 months, I previously tried to quit b/c I didn’t want to be on it when pregnant, but I have no choice in order to not want to die) and about 10-20 mg of trazidone at night for sleep. I really don’t think I can go off these medications for my own sake.

but is prenatal vitamins okay to take w/ these? Am I messing up my child? I’ve talked extensively w/ my psychiatrist and though I haven’t seen an ob-gyn about this, I’ll definitely use a high-risk one when the time comes. In the mean time, since I’m in no hurry, do I just continue as usual? (my usual includes exercising heavily, looking for a new job, and applying for grad school to start in a year. yes, probably when preggers, but I just got done w/ another degree and need time off). Thanks for the advice.

I had an abortion about 3 months ago and i did actually want to have the baby but there was no way i could of kept it. I was left feeling really torn the next few days beating myself up over the fact i had got rid of it.
I havnt really thought about it much since..

Could it be unbalanced hormones?

Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett have unveiled post-baby bodies in the past that have surprised women worldwide.

Squeezing back into your favourite little black dress so soon after childbirth may not be a realistic option for new mums who don’t have the luxury and expertise of a full-time dietician, nanny and personal trainer, on hand, 24/7. Especially, if you are a more mature new mum, being part of the strong, modern trend of having kids later in life.

New mums, at any age, are often overwhelmed with their changed body shape and extra baby weight. According to fitness expert Angela Houseman, the average woman should not use celebrities as role models. “It’s inevitable that women will envy superstars who go from being 9 months pregnant to a size 6 overnight,” said Ms Houseman.

Angela Houseman has had two children and understands the pressures that are placed on women who have just given birth. “When I had both my children, I suffered envy when I read magazines of celebrity mums who had given birth and looked terrific. But the reality is, the average person does not have a host of staff to help out with everyday living.”

According to Embracing Motherhood, an organisation that supports mums after giving birth, most new mums will go through dramatic changes both emotionally and physically before, during and after the birth process.  The more mums look after themselves, the greater their chances of a recovery in both areas.

It is the norm in our culture for the attention to move away from the mum and onto the new born baby after childbirth, often to the detriment of the mum.  In traditional cultures within Asia, South America, the Middle East and India there is recognition that mums will need a longer period of time to rest and recover after childbirth.  This can be anywhere from a few weeks up to a few months for their rest and recovery.

“A woman’s body can take as long to recover as it does to make a baby: but in particular, the six week postnatal period is extremely important for supporting new mums back to health,” says Ms Flack from Embracing Motherhood.  “Women who give birth go through a complete physical and emotional change and require enormous support during the postnatal period.  Unfortunately, often society does not acknowledge this need.”

Six facts for new mums:
• Up to 20% of women have postnatal weight retention.
• Up to 76% of new mums report ongoing fatigue in the postnatal period.  Fatigue is a major contributor to depression.
• At least 15% of Australian mums suffer Postnatal Depression.
• 83% of new mums initiate breastfeeding and less than 18% of mums continue to breastfeed after 6 months.
• Approximately 50% of new mums report ongoing backache.
• More than 40% of women have caesareans leading to longer recovery times.

Amy Hopes, wife of Grinspoon drummer Kristian, recently undertook the 30 day postnatal recovery program with Embracing Motherhood, after giving birth to her first child in September last year.  The aim of the postnatal recovery program is to support mums in getting their body and mind back to a full recovery.  Amy feels her inexperience is typical of most first time mums.  “I had the perfect pregnancy and presumed I would have the perfect birth. But I was in for a big shock.  I had a terrible, gruelling 36 hour labour.  In the end, the doctors had to break my waters and use suction to get the baby out.  I was very traumatised by it and can really only now, after 4 months, start to re-live it in my mind.”

Amy found it shocking that professionals encouraged her not to talk about her traumatic birth, suggesting that she would upset other first time mums.  “When I went to see the midwife I burst into tears, I was so overwhelmed.  The midwife said, “Don’t tell other mums, you’ll only put them off,” which was completely shocking to me.  I think mums really need to know and understand what can happen both physically and mentally.  It is not focusing on the negative, but preparing yourself for what might happen.”

Surprising for Amy, it was the psychological impact of childbirth that was most challenging.  “Physically, I recovered well and my postnatal program was instrumental in that smooth recovery.  I was very healthy and fit before I gave birth too, doing yoga exercises each day and I think this helped.”

For a new mum, a feeling of isolation is inevitable. “The most important thing is knowing that someone is looking out for you and you are not on your own,” says 32 year old Amy.  “The problem is that if you do gain a lot of weight and you don’t bounce back easily, you are stuck at home and can’t get out to do any exercise. Then your weight gain can start to spiral.  I think how fit and healthy you are before the baby comes has a lot to do with it.”

Weightwatchers Australia recommends that you gain between 11-16 kilos during your pregnancy and advises that too much weight gain affects your ability to bounce back after birth.  “On average, after the birthing process it is around .5 to 3 kilos that women struggle to lose, although some hold on to a lot more weight.  Coming into pregnancy with excess weight and gaining a lot of weight during pregnancy can make it harder to lose weight afterwards.”   Weightwatchers suggest that achieving a healthy pre-pregnancy weight, not gaining too much weight during pregnancy, making wise food choices and getting plenty of exercise in the months following delivery, are all useful strategies for maintaining a healthy weight throughout the child-bearing years.”

“If you put in the effort, you will see your post baby body start to take shape again,” says personal trainer Adriana Solorzano from Optimum Personal Training. “Much of the recovery process is tied in with the mum’s body type and her level of fitness and health during the pregnancy.  If you’ve really embraced the ‘eating for two’ concept, it is likely you have developed some bad eating habits during your pregnancy.  Many mums think the weight will fall off but bad eating habits will make it hard to lose weight, especially when you are at home with your baby and are unable to get out and exercise.  The isolation and uncertainty can make new mums comfort eat too.  When I get new mums to keep a food diary, they are often shocked by how much their eating habits have changed.”

Physically and mentally new mums need to allow themselves time to recover and adjust after giving birth.  It’s important to remember that YOU are just as important in the post birth recovery process, as your precious new baby.  There is plenty of support available here in Brisbane so spend some time researching and tapping into this before your baby arrives.  A happy and healthy mum will be the best carer of a new born.

‘Me time’ for Mums in Brisbane:

Spas: Mummabubba beauty spa in Windsor allows mums to have some serious pampering time while their baby is being minded.

Coffee Break: There is an increasing number of child-friendly cafes, such as Cafe Mama at Windsor and Breathing Space at Kenmore, combining the much deserved coffee break or lunch experience with childminding in a ‘kid friendly’ atmosphere, so mums can relax.

Movies: ‘Babes in arms’ has become very popular in Brisbane for mums still wanting to be able to go to the movies and enjoy some relaxing time without having to worry about disrupting other movie goers.  In Brisbane, Babes in Arms sessions are run regularly at Palace Centro in The Valley, Palace Barracks at Paddington, Birch Carol and Coyle Cinemas Carindale, Chermside, Garden City, George Street and Loganholme.

Gyms: Most gyms in Brisbane now offer childcare facilities, so check your local gym or find one close by that offers this.

Staying in touch: The Bub Hub (www.bubhub.com.au) is an online information centre for new Brisbane parents.  The site is endorsed by the Australian College of Midwives, the Australian Lactation Consultants Association and the Playgroup Association.  It now has 40 000 registered users.

Playgroups: Check out www.playgroupaustralia.com.au to find a local playgroup for you and your baby.  It is a great way to get you out of the house and meeting other new mums.

Every woman gains weight when she’s pregnant, and many women lose all the extra pounds soon after the baby is born. For others, though, every new child adds an additional 10 to 25 pounds that seems almost impossible to get rid of.

If you know that you tend to put on weight during a pregnancy because you never really lot the extra pounds after your last baby was born, it’s a good idea to discuss the issue with your doctor during your prenatal visits.

She’ll make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need, and will help you avoid gaining more weight during the pregnancy than you should. However, with the various hormone changes, weird food urges, and the lower rate of exercise that most of us get when we’re carrying a baby in the womb, it’s not always easy to follow the doctor’s advice. If you have “morning” sickness all day long, ice cream is sometimes the only thing you can get yourself to eat.

So, what do you do to get rid of the extra pounds after the baby is born?

First of all, have one more talk with your doctor. Make sure that you don’t have any lingering nutritional deficiencies, such as anemia, that a diet could make worse.

If you find yourself eating “comfort food” to counteract unhappiness or stress, ask your doctor to check to see if you have post-partum depression. Depression is common after a child is born, and it often causes people to gain weight, but it’s treatable – so there’s no reason to let it drag you down. If it’s a problem for you, talk to your doctor.

If you’re going to breastfeed, getting nutritional advice from your physician is particularly important. Fortunately, nursing your new baby may actually help you lose the extra weight – but under any circumstances you need to make sure you don’t short-change the baby (or yourself!) by going on a crash diet.

With your doctor’s approval, you’ll want to get back into normal daily routines as soon as you can. Don’t over-do, of course, but start moving again if you tended to sit a lot during your pregnancy. Habits are easy to build, and difficult to break.

To help you get back into walking for exercise, think about getting a front carrier or sling so you can take your baby with you on short walks through the neighborhood instead of always putting him in the stroller. The baby will enjoy being close to mom (it’s a great way to put a fussy baby to sleep), and you’ll have more fun, too. And you’ll lose more weight when you walk because you’re carrying the baby.

Since you now have a new family, it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about healthy eating, so all of you can feel your best and be as healthy as possible. If you’ve slipped into sloppy eating habits during your pregnancy because cooking right just seemed like too much trouble, now is the time to snap out of it and put those veggies back on the menu.

Eat a big salad at the beginning of every meal, and make them fun – with lots of variety and taste – so it starts to become second nature. Be sure you always have more veggies on your plate than anything else, as well, because that way you’ll be able to fill up and feel satisfied without being tempted to weigh yourself down with the calories that hide in bread, pasta, red meat and desserts.

The one thing that will be the most helpful to you is to remember that the way you eat now will influence your new baby’s health for many years to come. Many people have discovered that they have a hard time losing weight until they realize their own eating habits may be hurting their kids.

Doing something for yourself might feel like a bother and too much work, (especially if it means cooking a real meal instead of grabbing a pizza), but doing the same thing for people you love is fun and feels completely worthwhile. Of course, your baby wont be eating those veggies for a while, but you’ll want to get in the habit now.

Like most people, you’ll probably discover that it’s easier to stay committed to your baby’s health than your own. It’s just human nature. Fortunately, good eating habits help both of you stay healthy, and it will help you lose weight.

If your baby grows up in a household where good, wholesome food is always a high priority, and where sweets and other treats are only given only on special occasions, your child will grow up strong and healthy. If you take the time now to learn how to eat right, you’ll naturally lose your extra weight while you eat those veggies, and the whole family will benefit from your efforts.

Why

Over the years I’ve worked with countless dog-owning young couples with feelings so strong for their dogs that they could not imagine those feelings could be any stronger for a child. However, when they became pregnant they found released from within an even greater capacity for love. An accompanying byproduct of this heightened state is a fierce, innate, hard wired need to provide the safest of environments for their child. From that moment and for many years to come they know that all decisions will revolve around the impact they will have on their child. That first pregnancy launches a furied time of preparation part of which is includes an evaluation of their current environment from its baby-friendly perspective. What was once just a means to access the basement they realize is now a path of potential danger that must be addressed. What was once just a cupboard to store cleaning supplies is now a reservoir of peril. What was once ‘their dog’ is about to become the ‘family dog’ and regardless of their devotion consideration is given to potential for conflict however minor.

Based on past experience some dog owners will be aware of the possibility of jealousy or anxiety however many will not be aware of the potential for either that the addition of a baby can uniquely elicit. Others have little worry about conflict based on malice or fear but much to worry about regarding unruliness. Behavior that could once be worked around; they realize will by necessity need to be addressed. Outside of injury due to unruliness, statistics confirm that an objective eye is warranted and that each dog should be assessed for its baby-friendly status. According to many high profile sources one out of two children is bitten by a dog before reaching the age of twelve and dog bites are greater health problem for children in the US, than measles, mumps, and whooping cough combined. For most dog owners though the risk their dog brings is due more to sheer unruliness than meanness of spirit. However either way intervention before the dramatic change in lifestyle that accompanies the birth of a child is becoming more common amongst dog owning expectant couples.

Myths

My initial interest in infant safety around dogs stems from the prenatal class I took in preparation for the birth of my first son. The nurse teaching the class was asked what precautions should be taken when the expectant parent was also a dog owner. The recommendation offered by the nurse that expectant moms and dads could help prevent future jealousy or anxiety by introducing a baby doll into the house hold, and simulate day to day interaction with an infant. This would entail cuddling, carrying, bathing, dressing, etc. I have read this as well on countless websites and in articles like this one and books. To a layperson this might make sense. However, children’s toys, including baby dolls, are made from the same material as is found in many dog toys. After over 20 years working with thousands of dog I can say with confidence that the keen senses of a dog are not going to be fooled into connecting a baby doll with a true baby and thereby acclimatizing it. However some have been known to make a grab for the baby doll as if it were another plastic toy gift from their owners creating unnecessary worry for the parents to be. 

Another well-meaning myth is that bringing home an infant’s hospital blanket will introduce the dog to its scent and somehow make it easier for the dog to accept the baby when it arrives. Where this advice originally came from remains a mystery but it certainly did not come from a professional. Any behaviorist, psychiatrist or psychologist knows that if desensitization is to have a desired outcome it is a slow incremental process. The idea that a sniff of a blanket might temper the sensory impact that an infant will have is the equivalent of expecting that a glance of the ultrasound image will realistically prepare an expectant mother for her labor experience let alone the impact of all that will follow once she brings her child home. Fortunately, there are much better options to turn to that will help a dog make the transition from being an ‘only child.’

Reality – Some Dogs You Can Change But Some You Cannot

Cohabitation between humans and dogs has existed for thousands of years. However, for better and worse, over the last century the nature of the relationship has changed significantly. Dogs are no longer just a means to an end for securing food, herding and protecting livestock, and protecting home and hearth. For many of us, they have become family members. The upside is that a dog is one of the few things that you can pour a little love into once in a while and harvest back an endless stream of unconditional love. The down side is that as well-meaning as we might be, many of the signals we now send our dogs confuse them as to who should be the teacher and who should be the student and without this stability they often unnecessarily develop behaviors that range from the annoyance of unruly behavior to becoming actual safety liabilities.

Expectant dog owning parents should keep in mind that over the last few decades many of the breeding protocols that lead to a physically and mentally balanced dog have become the exception rather than the rule. Also, training methodologies have changed such that many dog trainers now erroneously believe and so advise their clients that even the slightest discipline will make a dog’s behavior worse and so they recommend all-positive, all the time training. This in spite of the irrefutable evidence provided by every parenting dog, wolf, ape or human that the skills to survive and thrive in the real world come through both positive and negative. The end result of these poor breeding and training practices is that many expectant parents find themselves with a dog with characteristics that can impact the equilibrium of the household from a child’s safety. 

Some of these situations can be resolved by switching to a more realistic training model while others where the dog’s temperament has been more seriously impacted by breeding and training conventions can create anxiety and concern in the expectant parent. Early Intervention Whether for the Unruly or the Uncomfortable Dog Armed with fact rather then myth expectant parents can assess where and why their dog might need their assistance and how either through their own efforts or along with a professional’s develop a strategy that balances their dog’s needs with their baby’s safety.

I have found in the countless assessments I have done for expectant parents that every household can benefit by learning more on how their dog sees the world and makes connections that lead to joy and anxiety. Sometimes it is as simple as learning how to teach baby friendly obedience such as ‘Stay on Your Mat’? or a proper heel and recall so that opportunities to properly exercise their dog and thereby relive its stress can be taken advantage of more often once the baby has arrived. In other situations we discovered that due to circumstances beyond the control of its owners, typically the result of breeding or early socialization, the dog had some yellow or red flag characteristics. In some situations these were addressable, in others they were not. Unfortunately other then the traditional mythical advice outlined above there is in prenatal education very little practical advice for dog owning expectant parents.

The contents of the book, How to Prepare Your Dog for Your Baby ? is a culmination many years of experience working with families and dogs and provides strategies to objectively assess and address real life practicalities that come with babies and dogs living together.

Forewarned is forearmed and consideration as to how a dog and a baby might affect each other should become as an important part of prenatal preparation experience as learning the safest of car seats, cribs, strollers and any other factor that might impact an infant’s well being.