What to Expect When You're Expecting [antikvár]

FOREWORD TO THE SECOND EDITION xvii Another Word From the Doctor Often, people who notice my name on the front cover of this book call to thank me for writing it. I thank them, in return, for their calls and compliments—and then explain that I didn't write it. My role, I tell them, was not author but medical advisor—in charge of the dotting of every anatomic "i" and the crossing of every biologic "t." Like them, I'm pleased and excited about what these authors have done. What I wrote in my foreword in 1985 is every bit as true today. But with this complete revision, the book that I enthusiastically endorsed then is now even better. It's even more up-to-date and more comprehensive, dealing in much greater depth with high-risk pregnancies, second pregnancies, and pregnancy loss. These topics are handled with sensitivity, clarity, and accuracy, avoiding the scare-on-every-page approach. The authors take the sensible view that, yes, there are things to be concerned about; any responsible mother-to-be would be concerned. But then they add what is so often omitted elsewhere: "Here are some commonsense things you can do to avoid that complication." That constructive approach, I am sure, is what has helped this book, written by non-physicians, win such wide acceptance among doctors and other health care providers in the first place. It's not only recommended (or given) to new patients by many ob/ gyns, but used by those physicians and their spouses as well. My young residents read it to learn what patients are wondering and worrying about, so they'll be better prepared when they begin their own practice. Clearly, expectant parents love this book. Physicians respect it. Those are two good reasons for the resounding success of What to Expect When You're Expecting. And if it didn't sound so appallingly unscientific, I'd hypothesize a third: babies appreciate it too. Richard Aubry, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.O.G. •i'pAi