The Pregnant Woman's Companion: Nine Strategies That Work to Keep Your Peace of Mind Through Pregnancy and Into Parenthood

The Pregnant Womans Companion is a great book - I wish I had been able to read it during my first pregnancy, but I found it to be a wonderful book to read and re-read during my second and third pregnancies. It is unique in that it really helps the reader to be proactive in managing and shaping the big changes that pregnancy and a new family situation bring. I recommend this to all who are touched by a new pregnancy.

There are many books available about pregnancy and birth, but this is one of my favorites, and my clients as a childbirth educator also find it to be one of the best of the best. We like the acknowledgement that pregnancy affects a woman's body, mind, spirit, and relationships, and that the transition through pregnancy and childbirth into motherhood is often a challenging one. And we like the positive, constructive, individualized approach to helping readers meet the challenge so they can feel good about this major life transition. The Pregnant Woman's Companion is definitely worth reading.

Christine D'Amcio's Pregnant Woman's Companion isn't just another overview of pregnancy's monthly transition points: it is written by a personal coach and midwife and offers nine strategies to help mothers through pregnancy into parenthood. From reducing worries about a changing body and changing relationships with family to understanding a new set of priorities, Pregnant Woman's Companion packs in details.

This is the book that I give to all my newly pregnant friends. This book tells it like it is and offers great advice for the pregnant women. "Confessionals" from other pregnant women help remind the reader they are not alone! The author comes across as the friend all pregnant women wish they had - honest and straight forward. A nice alternative to the typical pregnancy book that can be consulted throughout pregnancy and beyond.

I read this while pregnant with my 2nd child, so much of what was presented came as no surprise. Still, it was a very good review of the emotional roller coaster I think all women experience while our bodies go through the miraculous transition of creating a person!This book is excellent in that it addresses the emotional side of pregnancy (vs. the physical). I think I would have really benefited from reading it while pregnant with my first. It touches on the transition to a pregnant body, as well as after the birth into parenthood. She also addresses how to deal with unsolicited advice, the changes in your friendships once you become a parent, as well as the changes in your relationship with your spouse. The information is well-organized and easy to read. I'm keeping it in mind as a future baby shower gift!Table of contents:* The Truth Behind Your Pregnant Glow* Strategy One - Give yourself the best by creating and calling upon a committed support system* Strategy Two - Allow yourself to let go of social standards and create a new relationship with your body* Strategy Three - Pare down commitments to a limited set of priorities* Strategy Four - Ease your way into parenthood during your nine months of pregnancy* Strategy Five - Call upon your internal strengths when facing a situation you cannot control* Strategy Six - Watch for opportunities to balance the ups and downs of family life* Strategy Seven - Make new friends and consciously choose what you want to do with the old* Strategy Eight - Find your way to gentleness with your spouse* Strategy Nine - Lighten your load by facing your pregnancy losses