EXTRACTS FROM THE YUMMY MUMMY'S SURVIVAL GUIDE

Below is a Table of Contents, so you can see just how much more there is in this fantastic little book!!  

PART I: BEFORE IT ALL STARTS:

What is a Yummy Mummy?

Prepare, prepare: what you should definitely do before getting pregnant. (Or what you should have done months ago, but could start now).

Common Concerns

• I don't feel very maternal: maybe I'll be an awful mother.
• I don't want to get fat.
• What if I mess it all up?
• What about my career?
• Is it selfish to be a Yummy Mummy ?
• I'm too embarrassed about people to be poking around down there.
• I'm scared of all the pain
• What if things go wrong with my partner?

PART II: PREGNANCY:

In the Beginning:

• Getting Pregnant: a brief biology re-cap.
• The Thin Blue Line: that moment.
• Tired, tired, tired. What is going on??
• Breaking the News: To your partner, parent and friends.
• Work: Mum's the Word. When to tell; what to expect.
• Hello Boys! Some physical changes you might notice.
• Morning sickness. If only it were that simple…
• More Worries this is a big mistake - I'll never manage.
• Cheering Yourself up. A lot.

The middle bit:

• Physical changes: Most of what they told you is true… but they probably didn't mention these peculiarities...
• Looking good: gorgeous clothes for the suddenly-large-of-girth. Wardrobe tips from top designers
• Cravings and revulsions
• Testing, testing: one, two, three, four, five, six…hang on…
• Keeping fit: you can, you must, you must. This works…
• You're eating for how many? It's a tiny baby, not a racing horse.
• Pampering: Oh yes! But is it safe? The best health spas and beauty treatments during pregnancy.
• Detox: what to cut out for a while.
• The F Word: "I am definitely the FATTEST person in the world." No you're not.
• Body image and eating problems: yes, you.
• Sex : do it now - it could be the last months you get round to it.
• Come Fly with Me. Go on holiday while you still can…
• Physical discomforts. Just few.
• Alien: when you feel your baby move, hiccups and all.
• Health matters: gardening and pets. Medications and supplements

Nearing the end:

• More physical effects: Is there a loo around here? You'll need one every hour or so
• Backache, twinges, haemorrhoids – oh the glamour!
• What to buy now:
  - Baby Clobber: one small baby, one big shopping list
  - For You: a few Mummy essentials worth getting now.
• Due dates: due for a re-think. “It's going to be early, I just know it”, and other delusions.
• Last chance to: all the things you have to do NOW, before it's too late.
• Baby Showers: at last – a tradition worth adopting.
• What's in a Name? Everything, that's what .
• Your hospital bag: Got lipstick? Good to go then. What you really need to pack.
• Pedicures, and other essential preparations for handsome doctors. (Ha ha.)
• The nesting instinct: pass me the hammer drill, I'm going to have a baby.
• The Ugly Duckling: one last thing you might panic about.

PART III: BIRTH

Going into labour : “It says in my book…” Yeah, whatever.

• Bring it on
• Am I in Labour now?
• False Labour: not funny at all.

Real Labour

• The Show. And not a West End theatre in sight.
• Waters Breaking. Mine didn't.
• Contractions : timing them, surviving them
• Panic: how to avoid the ‘ no petrol, no hospital bag, no idea' disasters.
• Choosing a birth method. You have choice ?
• Birth plan : Prepare to improvise.
• The truth hurts . I probably shouldn't tell you this, but…
• Drugs, drugs , glorious drugs.
• Midwives, and other scary people you'll encounter.
• That's it - over to you now.

PART IV: A YUMMY MUMMY IS BORN

• The first 24 hours: some things you may notice.
• Instinct? Shminstinct.
• The Ugly Duckling: what if I have a really ugly baby?
• Breastfeeding: why is the best always so difficult?
• Night Owls: is anyone else awake at 2am?
• Weight a minute: Shucks! You mean you put ON weight after the birth?
• Dummies: ugly, but damned useful.
• The truth hurts: that's why nobody warned you about…
• Rock bottom 1 : when the euphoria dies down, aka the Baby Blues.
• Rock Bottom 2: yours isn't, but don't worry: it will be.
• The Brain Drain: keeping your own mind.

BABY BASICS: I wish I'd know more about:

• Changing a baby
• Bath time
• Bed time. Pleeaase!
• Breastfeeding.
• Baby Clothes. Sensible, affordable, crucial.
• Bonding.
• Confidence.
• The crying baby checklist. Gucci, Pucci Choo : fabulous clothing for fabulous babies. You know you want to. Best designer baby wear, and a note from designer parents.

OK, SO WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO WITH A BABY?

• At the third stroke… how to fill those long, long days
• New Babies: Eat, sleep, poo , sleep, eat, sleep, poo…Is that it ?
• While they are asleep – shop, sleep, shop. Yipee.
• While they are awake: more problematic…
• From Six Months: More tips and ideas to keep you both happy all day. Almost.

YOUR FIRST FEW MONTHS:

• More wardrobe frustration . What you can and can't wear with a new baby.
• Post Natal Depression. Been there, done that, and I really hope this helps.
• Makeover magic: Time-efficient, simple beauty tips for new Yummy Mummies.
• Sexy Mama : getting that bod back in order. The most effective post-natal exercises, from Matt Roberts.
• Reality check : How are you doing so far?
• Can I go on a diet now ? What to eat:
  - If you're breastfeeding.
  - If you're not any more.
• Mummy Clobber : new kit you need to survive.
  - Handbags: what you need from them; what they need from you.
  - Purses: think B-I-G.
  - The joy of pockets.
• Old Friends: why don't they call any more? I am the One and Only.

PART V: THE FIRST YEAR

THE BASICS a few things which are just different now, and forever.

• Popping out : in memoriam. What to take with you when you leave the house.
• Eating out: better make that "to go" then...
• Spontaneity: the shortest chapter in the book.
• Travel: still possible, just a little more complicated.
  - What to pack
  - Survival tips for hot and cold climates
  - The Yummy traveller: the smartest travel tips

YUMMY MUMMY THINGS:

• Who am I?
  - Getting to know the new you.
  - Realising you are turning into your mother
  - Where is the old me?
  - Finding time for yourself
• Coping: The network you'll need to keep on top of it.
  - When to get help.
  - Babysitters.
• What's happened to me : some odd psychological changes you might notice.
• Stress Busters: …Aaaaand, relax. Best pampering treats for body and mind.
• Wonder Mums : when honesty is not the best policy.
• Sex? Sex! Are you trying to make me angry?
• Square one: where you'll be every night.
• Control Freak: the challenge of letting go.
• Life is a Rollercoaster: just when you thought things were going well…

BABY THINGS:

• Medical Matters:
  - What to have in the medical kit
  - How do I know if my baby is ill?
  - Choosing a GP
  - What to take to the surgery
  - Vaccinations. What, more ?
• Gender Stereotyping : don't worry, Nature's got it covered
• Hygiene: another thing not to stress out about.
• There were three in a bed ...moving your baby out of your room.
• Weaning: Ready, steady...hang on - when exactly?
  - Reducing the Mess Factor.
  - Choking. Who said carrots were a good idea anyway?
  - Organic baby food : should you? Shouldn't you?
• The Green Baby: environmentally friendly nappies, recycled clothing - your baby can be eco-friendly too.

HOUSE THINGS:

• Needing more Space
• Re-organising everything
• Making your house baby safe
• Where's my lovely house? Hiding the evidence.
• In an English Urban Garden … tips for a baby-safe garden.
• Your car: or mobile skip, as it will be from now on.

NEW RELATIONSHIPS

• Your Partner: Who are you? And other questions you will ask him…
  - Arguments you will have, and how to deal with them.
  - Jealousy, resentment and appreciation. And other fun things.
  - That's not what we agreed…
• Meet the Grandparents: Getting on with your own parents now.
• In-Laws: now here's a fun relationship.
• Keeping it in the family: when traditions clash
• Other Mothers - Your new friends: scary, but true.
  - Competitive Mums: isn't yours reading Baby Shakespeare yet?
  - A problem shared…

LIFE WITH BABY

• Playgroups: your baptism of Fire
• Flavour of the Week: why you sometimes won't be.
• Little Friends for Little People: they need ‘em too.
• Minding your Ps and Qs : they pick up everything.
• Remember, remember: what did we do today?
• Things You Will do and feel : and hate yourself for it.
• Drawing the line: how do I discipline my child?
• Telly Tantrums: the big "should they/shouldn't they" debate.
• Chocolate and other lovely things: how to keep treat, a treat.
• Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my baby: what happens when kids fill up on sugary, synthetic stuff
• Milestone Spotting: when to expect that first smile or gurgle.
• Is that right? Developmental things you might worry about
• Making conversation: volatile stock exchange, don't you think sweetie?

THE OTHER HALF

• What's it like being a new father?
• Sharing the load.
• Talking Dirty: some unpleasant things you need to discuss.
• Being a family

PART VI: GOING BACK TO WORK

• I need a job Part 1: No, you don't.
• I need a job Part 2: Yes, you do.
• Potential work-related disasters: they happened to me, they will happen to you.
• Simply the Best: why you will have to outperform everyone else.
• Who is holding my baby? Childcare options to worry about.
  - I can't leave my baby, can I?
  - So what are the options?
  - Guilt. Don't you just love being a woman?
• Wardrobe: smart, sexy clothes for working mothers.