ACOG Booklets: Download Health Guides on Key Topics
Short e-books offer trusted, easy-to-read information from the nation’s ob-gyns.
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Find essential guides on key health topics—all the facts you need in one quick read. Every booklet is written by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the nation’s leading experts in women’s health care.
All booklets are short e-books that you can purchase to read on your computer, phone, or e-reader of choice.
Find descriptions and links to purchase:
Planning Your Pregnancy: The Prepregnancy Visit, Getting Healthy, and Choosing Your Care Team
Before you try to get pregnant, there are some important things you can do to give yourself the best chance of having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. By planning ahead and making changes before you get pregnant, you are more likely to be prepared.
Learn about
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what to expect at a prepregnancy checkup
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healthy lifestyle changes
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choosing your pregnancy care team
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getting pregnant
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having a baby after age 35
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and more
41 pages
Available to purchase and download from Amazon and Independent Publishers Group.
You and Your Baby: Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery, and Postpartum Care
Pregnancy is a time of major change. The best way to approach pregnancy and childbirth is to be informed. This booklet offers an overview of all the need-to-know pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum information.
Learn about
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prenatal care
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tests and exams
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taking care of your health
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changes during pregnancy
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labor and delivery
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postpartum changes
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life with your new baby
57 pages
Available to purchase and download from Amazon and Independent Publishers Group.
Putting Out That Cigarette: Strategies for Quitting Smoking During Pregnancy
Quitting smoking during pregnancy increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients your fetus will get, decreases the risk that your baby will be born early, and increases your chance of having a normal weight, healthy baby—among many other benefits. Read tested tips for quitting and find testimonials from other women who have quit during pregnancy. Topics include
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benefits of quitting
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facts about quitting during pregnancy
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strategies for planning to quit
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setting a quit date
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how to handle slips
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after your baby is born
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how to get more help
14 pages
Available to purchase and download from Amazon.
Your Postpartum Care: Healing and Health Care After Pregnancy
The postpartum period can be a time of mixed emotions and a time of physical changes. Your health is important during this time. If you know what to expect and plan for the care you need, you can stay healthy in the weeks after birth and set the stage for your long-term health.
Learn about
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planning your postpartum care
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physical healing after childbirth
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your changing body
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your feelings after childbirth
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lifestyle habits
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sex and family planning
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your future health
Includes a postpartum care checklist and a postpartum care team planner.
37 pages
Available to purchase and download from Amazon and Independent Publishers Group.
Breastfeeding Your Baby and Other Feeding Options
How you feed your newborn is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. Breastfeeding—feeding directly from the breast—works for some women. For others, feeding a baby pumped breast milk with a bottle is another very good option. Some women cannot or choose not to breastfeed or pump. These women feed their babies formula. Some women choose a combination of feeding methods.
Learn about each of the options to help you make the best decision for you and your baby. Topics include
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benefits of breastfeeding
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when you should not breastfeed
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how to breastfeed
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food, drinks, and medications while breastfeeding
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breastfeeding challenges
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feeding expressed or pumped breast milk
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feeding with formula
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how long should breastfeeding last
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resources for additional help and support
29 pages
Available to purchase and download from Amazon and Independent Publishers Group.
Birth Control: Choosing the Method That’s Right for You
There are many birth control methods to choose from. Learn about all the options available and how to find a method that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Topics include
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what to think about when choosing a method
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long-acting reversible contraception (IUDs and implants)
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combined hormonal methods (pills, patch, and ring)
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progestin-only methods (pills and injection)
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barrier methods (condoms, spermicides, diaphragm, cervical cap, and sponge)
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fertility awareness-based methods
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emergency contraception
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sterilization for women and men
34 pages
Available to purchase and download from Amazon and Independent Publishers Group.
Infertility and Multiple Miscarriages: Diagnosis, Treatment Options, and How to Cope
Infertility is a common problem, and it can happen even if you’ve been pregnant before. In the United States, as many as 15 in 100 couples have trouble getting pregnant. Infertility can be stressful, but it can often be treated.
Sometimes getting pregnant is not a problem, but staying pregnant is. Having two or more miscarriages is known as recurrent pregnancy loss. The same type of specialist that helps with infertility can help with multiple miscarriages.
Topics include
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ways to track your fertility
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possible causes of infertility
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when to consider an infertility evaluation
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tests and procedures that may help diagnose infertility
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options for infertility treatment
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fertility awareness-based methods
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tests that may help diagnose the cause of multiple miscarriages
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having a successful pregnancy after multiple miscarriages
35 pages
Available to purchase and download from Amazon and Independent Publishers Group.
Midlife Transitions: Perimenopause to Menopause
Midlife is an ongoing time of transition. Usually beginning in the mid-40s, you enter a phase called perimenopause. During this phase, hormone levels and your menstrual cycle begin to change. Learn about the changes during perimenopause and menopause, and find treatment and coping methods for common symptoms, including
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hot flashes
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sleep problems
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vaginal and urinary changes
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bone health
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heart health
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emotional concerns
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and more
Includes a detailed discussion of hormonal and nonhormonal therapies.
27 pages
Available to purchase and download from Amazon and Independent Publishers Group.
Copyright 2023 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information.
This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOG’s complete disclaimer.