You're about to embark on an adventure. Whether this is your first child or your fifth, you and your world are about to change forever! A parent is always a parent and your life´s path is about to take a sharp turn in a few months. The birth of a child is a miracle-one I´ve been privileged to share with thousands of families over 25 years in the delivery room. It is always a joy to bring a new life into the world and to see the faces of new parents as they look down at the newest member of the family for the first time. It´s a feeling that´s difficult to describe but shouldn´t be too hard to imagine. The birth of a child is the exquisite culmination of nature´s creative process. However, the creative process itself can be, well, it can be difficult. A nine-month pregnancy is filled with nature´s little surprises-morning sickness, aches where you never ached before, mood swings that frighten the cat and ´issues´ with everyone from the dad to your mother to your best friend who keeps telling you to "go natural." I see moms-to-be everyday in the office who are confronting pregnancy issues for the first, second or fifth time. I hear their stories and chart their complaints. Then, based on all of the other stories and experiences I´ve collected over the decades, I give the best advice I can to provide the most comfort-physical and emotional. Here´s a fact. Pregnancy isn´t easy. It´s hard on the mother´s body from conception through delivery and beyond. The female body completely and solely supports a human life for forty weeks. So even the so-called ´easy´ pregnancies come with their share of fatigue, pain and emotional gyrations. It´s a normal part of the process. So, what´s this book about? Well, first, it´s about you. The physical you, the emotional you, the professional you-even the financial you. Your pregnancy changes everything which means you have to be prepared for anything. Next, this book is about confidence and peace of mind. Yours, of course. Confidence and a lack of anxiety come with information, knowledge and explanation. The more you know about what lies ahead, the more confident and comfortable you´ll be. Third, this book is about the good health of you and your child. A healthy pregnancy is something for which you can prepare. In fact, a proactive approach to healthy pregnancy practices is your first job as a mommy. Welcome to the world of parenthood. Hard information on the latest in medical thought regarding diet, exercise and other lifestyle considerations will certainly increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy. But what about a happy pregnancy? Can hard information deliver a happy pregnancy? Look, there are a million books out there on the joy of pregnancy and how fulfilling and uplifting pregnancy is-all of which fly right out the window when you´re hugging the toilet with another bout of morning sickness. And, you´ve got to give a presentation in three hours. Not very joyous at that precise moment, you must admit. Of course, there´s endless joy in pregnancy. It´s undeniable and I´m blessed to see this joy first hand every day. But pregnancy isn´t always fulfilling, uplifting or the least bit joyous. I routinely have patients express their "feelings about morning sickness" all over me during an office exam. A patient fainting is all in a day´s work. It comes with the territory and it´s a downside of the joy of pregnancy. Happiness is difficult to define, but we all know it when we feel it. And that´s what this book is ultimately about-helping you find happiness during your pregnancy and on your journey through the trials and triumphs of impending parenthood. Survival guide, crystal ball, financial planner, exercise book, reference, comforter, healer and helper-that´s what this book is. Everything from "How did this happen?" to "Now what?" From how to tell your folks