Welcome

Hello, Parents-to-Be!

Welcome to the wonderful journey of parenting. It's the most rewarding job you'll ever have — and, let's be honest, probably the one with the most questions. That's exactly what this website is here for: answers rooted in solid psychological theory and years of real-world parenting practice, delivered without the jargon.

Finding Your Baby Doctor

If you just found out you're expecting, congratulations! The first order of business is building a strong relationship with your OB/GYN or midwife.

  • Check your network. If you have insurance, call the number on the back of your card to get a list of in-network providers in your area. If you don't have insurance, contact the Hospital Discounted Care Program in your state — it limits the amount a state hospital can charge you if you qualify for their program. You can also contact the community health center in your county for a sliding fee scale during your prenatal care.
  • Ask around. Family and friends are often your best source for honest recommendations.
  • Do your homework. You can check your state's medical board for any complaints or disciplinary history, and the Better Business Bureau for business-side issues like billing disputes.

Once you've narrowed things down, interview a few practices. Do you feel comfortable with their style? Their availability? Remember — babies don't always arrive during business hours, so ask how on-call coverage works nights, weekends, and holidays.

By the way, what's the difference between a midwife and a doula? A midwife is a licensed medical professional who delivers babies and manages your clinical care. A doula is a non- medical companion who provides continuous emotional and physical support. You may want to ask the medical practice you choose for more information about these support people in your area.

Taking Care of You (and Baby)

Once you've found a practice you trust, sign up for all your prenatal appointments and start taking prenatal vitamins right away. Your body will need extra folic acid and other nutrients throughout your pregnancy, so find a system that can help you remember to take your vitamins daily. Maybe try a sticky note on the bathroom mirror, a daily phone reminder, whatever works best for you.

A few more essentials:
  • Rest up. You'll likely feel most tired during the first and third trimesters, so extra sleep is your friend.
  • Move smart. Exercise according to your doctor's guidance.
  • Steer clear. Avoid alcohol and any non-prescribed drugs. If you need support limiting these, talk to your doctor — help is available, and your baby deserves the best possible start.

A Book Worth Having on Your Shelf

What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff (5th Edition; originally by Arlene Eisenberg and Sandee Hathaway) is a wonderful, thorough guide for answering the questions that will inevitably pop up along the way.

Enjoy your pregnancy — it goes by faster than you'd ever expect.

Take the First Step

Discover heartwarming stories,

parenting resources, and theory based parenting information.

Explore Books