Pregnancy, birth and baby care: advice, topics and issues Books

Book SynopsisAbout our authors Michele R. Davidson completed her ADN degree from Marymount University and worked in multiple women's health specialty areas, including postpartum, newborn nursery, high-risk nursery, labor and delivery, reproductive endocrinology, gynecology medical-surgical and oncology units as a registered nurse while obtaining a BSN from George Mason University. She earned her MSN and a nurse-midwifery certificate at Case Western Reserve University and continued to work as a full-scope nurse-midwife for 16 years. Dr. Davidson has delivered more than 1,000 babies during her career as a nurse-midwife. She completed her PhD in nursing administration and healthcare policy at George Mason University (GMU) and began teaching at GMU in 1999 while continuing in her role as a nurse-midwife. In 2018, Dr. Davidson earned an additional degree as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). She has an ongoing interest in women's mental health and focuseTable of ContentsPART I: INTRODUCTION TO MATERNAL-NEWBORN NURSING Contemporary Maternal-Newborn Nursing Families, Cultures, and Complementary Therapies PART II: WOMEN'S HEALTH ACROSS THE LIFESPAN Health Promotion Family Planning Commonly Occurring Infections Women's Health Problems Social Issues and Violence Affecting Women PART III: HUMAN REPRODUCTION Reproductive Physiology, Conception, and Fetal Development Reproductive Genetics PART IV: PREGNANCY Physical and Psychologic Changes of Pregnancy Antepartum Nursing Assessment The Expectant Family: Needs and Care Maternal Nutrition Pregnancy in Selected Populations Assessment of Fetal Well-Being Pregnancy at Risk: Pregestational Problems Pregnancy at Risk: Gestational Onset PART V: LABOR AND BIRTH Processes and Stages of Labor and Birth Intrapartum Nursing Assessment The Family in Childbirth: Needs and Care Pharmacologic Pain Management Childbirth at Risk: Prelabor Onset Complications Childbirth at Risk: Labor-Related Complications Birth-Related Procedures PART VI: THE NEWBORN Physiologic Responses of the Newborn to Birth Nursing Assessment of the Newborn The Normal Newborn: Needs and Care Newborn Nutrition The Newborn at Risk: Conditions Present at Birth The Newborn at Risk: Birth-Related Stressors Postpartum Family Adaptation and Nursing Assessment The Postpartum Family: Early Needs and Home Care The Postpartum Family at Risk APPENDICES Common Abbreviations in Maternal-Newborn and Women's Health Nursing Conversions and Equivalents Glossary

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Book SynopsisA revised and expanded edition of the bestselling guide to late-talking children for parents, clinicians, and educators, from a leading authority on development and disabilities.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA breathtaking memoir of recovery told from the crux where birth trauma and sexual trauma meet.Trade ReviewA hauntingly beautiful and unflinching, yet graciously shared experience of birth and mother hood. I savoured every word from the very first page, and half way through, was calling my best friends and asking them to pick this up and read! * Abi Daré, author of The Girl with the Louding Voice *An unflinchingly honest exploration of birth trauma, and ultimately a redemptive tale of the power and wisdom of women's bodies * Leah Hazard, author of Hard Pushed *This is a magnificent book which is an odd thing to say about the work of such acute sorrow. It is also a work of truth, understanding, scholarship and hope. A major contribution to women's experience. * Susie Orbach, author of In Therapy *An astonishing memoir. It is about the intersection between birth trauma and sexual trauma, medical misogyny, and trying to find a way to be a mother while dealing with something unspeakable. It is hugely important, courageous, and beautifully written. A rallying cry. * Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett, author of The Tyranny of Lost Things *A feat of strength. Jessica Cornwell doesn't shy away from the conflicting forces at work on women's bodies. She is open about the struggles faced during pregnancy and in early motherhood; has searched for answers to explain a legacy of undisclosed trauma in maternity care; and shows the jagged, uncomfortable journey towards recovery that PTSD survivors undertake if they are to live in the present, fully themselves. Her story is impossible to ignore. So many women will feel less alone after reading this book. * Katie Ward, author of Girl Reading *Cornwell puts words to experiences that are often rendered beyond words because they are of traumas that are minimised, shamed or shunned. Her prose is presented with with arresting beauty and I know her book speaks for countless others. I'm so glad she wrote it. * Julia Bueno, author of The Brink of Being *Birth Notes is a riveting and deeply moving examination of birth trauma and post traumatic stress in a world where new mothers and their needs are too often ignored or dangerously minimized. The misogyny laden origins of psychiatry and the medical profession are also explored, vignettes and historical information interspersed throughout a memoir as skilfully and beautifully written as I have read. * Michelle Bowdler, author of Is Rape a Crime? A Memoir, an Investigation and a Manifesto. *A luminous, visceral reel of life after birth and trauma. At once devastating, validating, tender and raw, Cornwell guides us through the foundations of the hardest moments of her life with honesty and invitation. Despite its sensitive contents, I often found it impossible to put down, her words endlessly comforting in their openness. I'll be taking her words forward with me, as a talisman for what may be waiting around the corner for many of us. Anyone interested in personal histories of birth, trauma and embodiment should read this vital book for its company and consolation. * Caitriona Morton, author of How We Survive *While reading this stunning book, a sentence from Virgina Woolf's Room of one's own came into my mind, for Birth Notes "lights a torch in that vast chamber where nobody has yet been". Jessica Cornwell explores a chamber unspoken of, cornered with spiders and nightmarish visions, where blood and milk blend, where mothers are denied words and care. This book will change lives, for it is a quest, a fight, a light, casting away hundred-years-old shadows. It is a book of love. * Adélaïde Bon, author of The Little Girl on the Ice Floe *Vivid, beautiful and brave, this book undid me - and filled me with hope. * Dr Elinor Cleghorn, author of Unwell Women *

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Book SynopsisThis hilarious, relatable, interactive journal is the perfect companion for those nine (or ten!?) months of excitement, milestones, hormone swings, and baby/fruit size comparisons.    Right this very moment, you’re growing a tiny life in your body, and with that life-growing comes a lot of feelings—some beautiful, some exhilarating, and some straight-up ridiculous. You have a lot on your mind, and with The Big Journal for Pregnant People you can record all the ups, downs, and in-betweens. With playful prompts, brilliant quotes, pregnancy facts, straight-talking advice, and plenty of space to draw, The Big Journal for Pregnant People is a must-have for anyone who wants to take some time for themselves before that precious arrival changes, well, everything.    Most baby books are about the baby. This one is for you. Now go grab a pencil; you’ve got memories to make.

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Book SynopsisThe new edition of a classic that parents love and trust, by the authors of Your Pregnancy(TM) Week by Week, with millions of copies soldTrade ReviewTundraco's Daily Living Guide, 3/3/10 "An essential reference for all mothers and mothers-to-be...First time moms will find the guidance that the book offers will help soothe their new-mom nerves and to help them learn what their baby should be doing--and about when." InfoDad.com, 3/25/10 "Outstanding...658 pages of clear, carefully written information--much of it highlighted in easy-to-read boxes...Filled with so much material that, even if your child does not follow the exact order in which the data are presented (and he or she probably won't), the book is excellent at putting early developmental milestones and difficulties in perspective...A useful, trusted resource...Parents who refer to it often during their baby's first year will find it packed with solid information, intelligently presented." Bookviews.com, April 2010 "Filled with information on every aspect from common medical problems, feeding, bonding with your baby, sleeping habits, vaccination guidelines, and baby gear among many other topics. This is an invaluable guide for new parents and those expecting their first child." Deseret News, 5/11/10 "A concise and easy-to-understand guidebook for each week of your baby's life. Busy parents will find a wealth of information they can absorb in small snippets according to the age of their child...When compared to other child-care books on the market, Your Baby's First Year, Week by Week has a wealth of information. You won't just learn general facts about how your baby should be moving and growing--the weekly format allows you to learn in great detail how your child should be acting, moving and growing." Tucson Citizen, 5/13/10 "A guide that new mothers and fathers have come to depend on. Each of the fifty-two weeks of the baby's first year features a wealth of medical facts in addition to invaluable coping and planning advice."

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Book SynopsisAs an OB/GYN, Dr. Allison Hill has delivered thousands of babies; as a mom, she''s given birth to her own two children. Hill has a unique perspective on the many questions moms have surrounding pregnancy and childbirth - especially when it comes to going natural. Drawing on her twenty years of expertise as well as current medical data, she weighs the pros and cons of the range of options available - hospital or birthing center; MD or midwife. Covering everything from understanding a doctor''s bias to medical interventions (what''s necessary - and what''s not) to home births, Hill debunks common myths and provides insight into hot-button issues and a keen look into why doctors do what they do. Your Pregnancy, Your Way helps parents-to-be achieve a safe and healthy delivery.

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Book SynopsisCarey, Beth, and Pam, have good luck in their friendships and careers, but terrible luck in relationships. Which makes it more difficult to get what they truly desire: children. And time is running out. Carey is the first to abandon the traditional path to motherhood. She decides to go it alone, and buys eight vials of sperm from the perfect donor. Maybe it''s newfound confidence from taking control of her destiny. Maybe it''s sheer coincidence. But on the day the vials arrive, she meets a man online. They fall in love. And she gets pregnant the old fashioned way. Carey passes the vials to Beth, who has just recovered from a wrenching divorce. But before she can use the vials, Beth meets a man on an ice-climbing trip. She too falls in love. And gets pregnant. So she gives the vials to Pam. Pam will never stop searching for the love of her life, but she''s ready to be a single mother. Then the magic strikes again. Is it lucky sperm? Or shared hope, determination, and resilience that paTrade ReviewA "Tome of the Brave" * O, The Oprah Magazine, June 2010 selection *...an incredibly wise, witty and powerful memoir ... [The authors] forged an incredible sisterhood that speaks to the importance of friendship in women's lives and shows how empowering friends can be * Irene Levine, The Huffington Post *a true-life sisterhood tale of friendship, love, amazing luck, and sperm . . . A must-read for the twenty-first-century woman on the same journey * Alice D. Domar, PhD, author of BE HAPPY WITHOUT BEING PERFECT *'Reading Three Wishes is like being let into the juiciest of confidences. I dare you not to root for these tough and gentle women * Jil Eisenstadt, author of FROM ROCKAWAY and KISS OUT *

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Book SynopsisSo you''ve made it through nine months of pregnancy and the birth itself. You''re mum to a new baby. Congratulations! But while the first year of your baby''s life brings much joy, it can also be a testing time. Chances are you''ll have lots of questions about your new baby. With peer-to-peer guidance and tips from the members of Netmums plus key medical and developmental information from the experts, BABY''S FIRST YEAR has all the answers. Structured as a month-by-month guide, BABY''S FIRST YEAR offers advice on subjects from breastfeeding to sleep routines, from teething to baby-proofing your home. It tells you what you can expect at each stage of your child''s development and how best to deal with any concerns you might have along the way. Helping you to make the most of what is both a challenging and wonderful time, BABY''S FIRST YEAR is an indispensable bible for the first crucial months of your baby''s life.Trade Review'Netmums is a wonderful source of information and support' * Fern Britton, This Morning *'Netmums has grown into a national institution' * Daily Telegraph *'Netmums is the new Mothers' Union' * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisBlankies, the Play Group Scoop, and the Top 5 Sexcuses. Hilarious, wise, and full of empathy, The Diaper Diaries helps new mothers maintain the one thing they can''t survive without-a sense of humor. Cynthia Copeland, a mother of three, knows the real poopfiguratively and literallyon being a new mother, and she has the wit, skill, and generosity to share it. Illustrated throughout with the author''s wonderful cartoons, The Diaper Diaries chronicles the first year of motherhood, from the hospital stay (nominees for the world''s worst labor coach anyone?) to baby''s first birthday and contemplating the unimaginablehaving another. There are lists, quizzes, timelines, charts, and real-life stories. Birth announcement faux pas. Names and nicknames and what they really mean. Pacifier tales. A guide to Nana-speak. How a 4-mile car trip can take 2 hours. Why it''s impossible to get to work without finding spit-up or rice cereal somewhere on your clothing. Ten reasons to be happy you''re up at

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Book Synopsis The Complete Book of Breastfeeding is a recognized classic in its field. Now it''s been completely revised and updated in a new fourth editionnon-doctrinaire, informative, and friendly, it is the most accessible and authoritative book, as much required reading for expecting and new mothers as a pregnancy guide and baby name book. All healthy mothers should consider breastfeeding for the first year of a baby's life, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and this is the book that will help women give their babies the healthiest start possible. Written by Sally Wendkos Olds and a new co-author, Laura Marks, M.D., The Complete Book of Breastfeeding, Fourth Edition offers a comprehensive introduction to breastfeedinghow to get ready before the baby arrives; how to involve fathers and siblings; and the best diet and foods for mom. There are sections on dealing with problems at the hospital; extensive information on exclusive pumping (EPing); the best sys

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Book SynopsisChortle. Giggle. Titter and guffaw. And smile, smile, smile. The happiest of books is back, in full, glorious, happy color. It’s the perfect shower gift. Essential for grandparents. The most cheerful book in the parenting section. These 97 games, sight gags, parlor tricks, and practical jokes require no special talent, use just the simplest household items as props, and actually work. Babies will be entertained—and adult readers will rediscover the joy of surrendering to sheer silliness. Get baby giggling with the Exaggerated Sneeze “ah-ah-ah-ah-CHOO!” The Live Jack-in-the-Box (Dad goes in large cardboard box, family sings “Pop Goes the Weasel,” and Dad jumps out at the last line). Three-Card Monte for Babies, using plastic cups and a lemon. Plus the top ten peek-a-boo variations, Yodeling in the Canyon, the Disappearing Noodle, Baby Channel Surfing, and oldies-but-goodies including Baby’s Stinky Feet. It’s the joy

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Book Synopsis A provocative guide to the hidden dangers of “parentspeak”—those seemingly innocent phrases parents use when speaking to their young children. Imagine if every time you praise your child with “Good job!” you’re actually doing harm? Or that urging a child to say “Can you say thank you?” is exactly the wrong way to go about teaching manners? Jennifer Lehr is a smart, funny, and fearless writer who “takes everything you thought you knew about parenting and turns it on its ear” (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Backing up her lively writing and arguments with research from psychologists, educators, and organizations like Alfie Kohn, Thomas Gordon, and R.I.E. (Resources for Infant Educarers), Ms. Lehr offers a conscious approach to parenting based on respect and love for the child as an individual.  Trade Review“A thought-provoking read that will prompt parents of all stripes to consider what they're saying when they talk to their kids.”—Booklist “Underlying her friendly, enjoyable critique of certain phrases parents use reflexively—the kind that lead us to wonder, ‘How did my mother get in my larynx?’—Lehr offers a substantive and subversive message of respect for kids. The chapter about time-outs is worth the price of the book by itself, but I highly recommend you read the whole thing.” —Alfie Kohn, author of Unconditional Parenting and The Myth of the Spoiled Child “Parentspeak is the antidote to all those words we find ourselves saying to our children automatically, because everyone else says them: ‘Good job!’ . . . ‘Say you’re sorry.’ . . . ‘Don’t cry, you’re okay.’ . . . ‘Where’s my kiss?’” Lehr holds these and other thoughtless responses up to the light, where we suddenly see through them. I love Lehr’s clarity, her respect for children, and her ability to make it fun for readers as they have their worldview dismantled and renovated. Important for all parents; I will be recommending it to everyone.” —Dr. Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting “Smart, audacious, and often hilarious. Takes everything you thought you knew about parenting and turns it on its ear.” —Jennifer Jason Leigh, actress, LBJ “I’m obsessed with this brilliant gem of a book. I’m sharing it with my spouse, in-laws, extended family, and babysitters as a way to start discussions about when to ask for hugs, whether ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ are always necessary, and that awful thing that constantly comes out of my mouth: ‘Be careful!’ What I love about Jennifer is that she deals out the most incisive, specific, modern advice, but then shares honest, authentic, and even awful true stories about her own mistakes. It’s like getting on the phone with the best expert and your best friend all at once.” —Jill Soloway, creator of Transparent “If the phrase ‘Good job, buddy!’ has ever made you cringe and you’re not sure why (except that you just heard it 6,873 times on the playground, including 146 times coming from your own mouth), this book is for you. Jennifer Lehr’s serious, skeptical look at why we sound so patronizing, controlling, and fake nice when we talk to our kids may change not only the way you talk to yours, but even the way you bring them up. Language is power, and this powerful book blows my mind—a fascinating read.” —Lenore Skenazy, founder of the book, blog, and movement Free-Range Kids “Beautifully bold. This book bucks convention so well you’ll wonder why you never questioned these platitudes before. Jennifer Lehr deeply understands kids, and her book is a lifesaver. Get ready to shake up your brain, ditch old habits, and discover what the parent-child relationship can really be.” —Heather Shumaker, author of It’s OK Not to Share and It’s OK to Go Up the Slide “Children, even the youngest ones, are not dolls or pets; they are human beings, more intelligent than most adults realize. In this often witty, always highly engaging book, Jennifer Lehr helps us think about how to talk to and with these small humans. I recommend it for all new parents, and also for aunts, uncles, grandparents, early educators, and anyone else who interacts with young children.” —Peter Gray, research professor at Boston College and author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life “Funny, relatable, and packed with wisdom, Parentspeak encourages parents to proceed with compassion and meet kids where they are: in the thick of childhood. Lehr has a profound understanding of how language impacts children and provides practical strategies to help parents do what they often ask of their own kids . . . to choose your words carefully.” —Katie Hurley, LCSW, author of The Happy Kid Handbook “Wow. I had more EUREKA! moments in the first fifteen pages of this book than I have had in most of my 9 years of parenting. This book is now my forever shower gift. Thanks to the painstaking research and consideration of Jennifer Lehr, I now can understand why so many of my well-intentioned impulses have not always provided the calm, confident, loving outcomes I dream of. . . . It is never too late to examine or change the way we talk to and with our children. Words fly out so fast as a parent—this book gives us a second to step back and hear what we are actually saying. Bravo!” —Kathryn Hahn, actress, Bad Moms “Jennifer Lehr adds a new twist to the parenting literature. With humor and clear examples from her own and others’ experiences, she unravels messages that parents might not intend to give to their children but unknowingly are. This book will make them rethink how they interact and the language they use.” —Tovah P. Klein, author of How Toddlers Thrive and director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development “Language matters. It shapes our perceptions and influences how our children view themselves and their world. As such, Parentspeak is an important book in our time. With humor and grace, Lehr brings to light the issues with our common parental language and offers practical solutions. Well researched and insightful, Parentspeak will challenge you in the best possible way. Read it and grow.” —Rebecca Eanes, author of Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide “Finally someone who says what we shouldn’t say to our children—and, more importantly, why. If we want our children to follow their hearts, be resilient, and find their potential, then we must stop trying to lead and manipulate their way. Lehr shows us how we can derail their paths to success—and how to get back on track.” —Bonnie Harris, MSEd, author of When Your Kids Push Your Buttons and What You Can Do About It

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Book SynopsisA book documenting pregnancy through your child’s fourth year—and one to keep forever. A baby book like no other. Using totally customizable binder format that makes it easy to remove pages you don’t need and add pages that make it truly your own, The Baby Keepsake Book and Planner is an all-in-one guide and personal record that takes parents from those first thrilling moments of pregnancy all the way through their child’s fourth year. Packed with expert advice; feeding and sleep schedules; checklists and charts; and prompts for filling in medical information, milestones, and unforgettable moments—from feeling that first kick to your toddler’s most hilarious conversations—it’s both a super-practical organizer and a memento to keep forever.  Trade Review“Leave it to Mindy Weiss to make a baby book that’s as charming as it is useful. I wish I had this when my kids were born!”–Heidi Klum—Heidi Klum“What a wonderful way to preserve the memories of these precious early years.”--Jessica Simpson—Jessica Simpson

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Book SynopsisAt last, the book that answers the question on every parent’s mind: Why does my toddler hate me?   Okay, it’s not really hate. It’s just that a little psychopath who walks through life 100% convinced that he or she is the center of the universe does not care that you have a heart, a mind, or a soul. You are simply a skin-covered robot tall enough to reach the candy on top of the fridge. And clean up the rage-vomit when you make the fatal mistake of cutting off the crust on your toddler’s toast. (Or not cutting it off—seriously, you can’t win.)Includes: The theory of toddler evolution  Mealtime (AKA Hell) Your unraveling life And how not to die inside 

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA treasury of inspiration for every January baby...Find out why you might give your January baby a name to do with wolves, what is meant by a gift of snowdrops wrapped in moss, and who your baby shares their birthday with - could it be Richard II, A. A. Milne, or Mozart?Much-loved author Noel Streatfeild originally launched this series of month-by-month baby books in 1959. Recently rediscovered in her publisher''s archives, each little book arrives complete with gorgeous illustrations, and includes: - suggested names and games for babies born in each month - characteristics of your baby according to their zodiac sign- famous babies who share your baby''s birthday- quotations and rhymes to fit every aspect of babyhood... and much more. With a warm, lively and charming introduction by Noel Streatfeild to every volume, each adorable book in this series is a pleasure to read, and an object to treasure.

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Book SynopsisDoes your todder still have trouble sleeping? You''re not alone. Designed specifically for the very many parents encountering the same issues as you, this practical, no-nonsense book gives you the insights, tools and strategies to help your child get the rest they need - however difficult the challenge.Featuring up-to-date safe sleeping guidance, and drawing on the latest clinical expertise, this book will help you to devise a gentle, sustainable sleep plan which will work for you and your toddler. It is based on Andrea Grace''s work with hundreds of families, and her decades of experience as the UK''s longest-standing sleep consultant, to successfully formulate a gentle, sustainable approach, that avoids unnecessary distress for you or your child. It includes coverage of a variety of different needs, from dropping naps to coping with separation anxiety and nursery routines, and provides welcome support for other carers and family members, from babysitters and childminders t

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Book SynopsisA spotlight has been shone on postpartum depression with high-profile celebrities speaking out on their stories. However, anxiety & depression can also strike during pregnancy, and the effects can be just as devastating. Here, the author explores her own and othersâ experiences with prenatal and postpartum depression, offering insight and guidance.Trade ReviewWomen who struggle with anxiety and depression during and after pregnancy will feel reassured and no longer alone because of mommy-blogger Starr’s brutally honest account of her own mental health battle. She seemed to live a storybook life with loving husband Kenny and daughter Annabelle. But while pregnant with her son, she started down a dark path, and after he was born, negative thoughts wove their way through her brain 'like poison.' She ended up in treatment for anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and an unspecified feeding disorder that left her clinically malnourished. She tried to hide the cuts she inflicted on her arms. She was a suicide risk. 'Do you know what is worse than feeling deep depression?' she writes. 'Feeling deep depression when the world tells you that you are supposed to be happier than ever.' Starr includes insights from Dr. Amy Wenzel, editor of The Oxford Handbook of Perinatal Psychology (2016), and identity-concealed patient studies. As Starr passionately argues, mental health for moms matters. The less anxious and distressed a pregnant woman and new mother is, the better for everyone. * Booklist, Starred Review *Emotional and candid, this personal pregnancy story delves into Starr’s battle with anxiety and depression during and after pregnancy. Interwoven throughout are the clinical insights of Amy Wenzel, a psychologist specializing in perinatal care, who goes beyond the much-discussed topic of postpartum mood disorders to discuss how prenatal anxiety and depression—two lesser-known conditions— can afflict women. In poignant prose, Starr discusses how her behaviors and thoughts shifted from her first pregnancy to her second. She invites the reader in to experience her descent into prenatal anxiety, rife with unreasonable fears and depressive lows: ‘As my baby grew, and his delivery grew closer, things got worse. My numbness spread. My husband and I drifted.’ Starr’s open-mic approach also provides generous space for five other women to share their experiences. Erica, a postpartum sufferer, recalls, ‘I drove over the bridge between my home and my job and pictured myself driving off the edge into the river below.’ The contributors offer reassuring advice, such as ‘Don’t feel guilty for having thoughts that carousel through your brain that have no business being there.’ This work promises to be a valuable refuge for expectant mothers and their families confronting the specter of prenatal and postpartum depression. * Publishers Weekly *This highly readable and compelling book tells the poignant story about the struggles and triumphs of the author's journey from severe perinatal and postpartum anxiety and depression to health. Along the way it offers sound advice for dealing with this treatable condition and includes the stories of other peri- and postpartum mothers as well. -- Judith S. Beck, Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior TherapyThis book brings urgent attention to the debilitating mental health challenges that can be experienced by pregnant women. As many barriers to treatment currently exist, we are grossly underserving this most vital population. The only way to ensure that fewer women suffer in silence is to minimize the stigma around this topic and this book helps us to take a promising stride in that direction. Starr beautifully weaves together the personal and the factual, allowing the reader to simultaneously learn and understand what this journey can entail. By sharing the story of how she fought for her life, Starr is casting out a lifeline that may save others fighting for theirs. -- Jessica Rutstein Lazarus, PsyDTable of ContentsA Happy Story Chapter 1. First Comes Love: A Pregnant Paws and Other Crazy tales A Hard Story Chapter 2: Professional Perspective on Prenatal Distress Chapter 3: Uncomfortably Numb: The beginning of My Prenatal Distress Chapter 4: “I didn’t know exactly what it was, but I knew to fear it”: My Prenatal Anxiety and Depression Chapter 5: Violated Expectations of Magic: Dr. Amy Wenzel’s Clinical Experience with Prenatal Distress Chapter 6: “I see the light going out in your eyes.” The beginning of My Postpartum Depression Chapter 7: A bicycle built for two (if that bicycle was actually an ER suite): My Severe Postpartum Depression A Hopeful Story Chapter 8: Support as a Key to Recovery Chapter 9: Together, Ever After Chapter 10: Hope

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Book SynopsisThe ideal companion to embracing the connection between mind and body to reduce stress and optimise fertility treatment.Trade ReviewAfter 20 years of supporting fertility patients I am convinced that an integrated mind-body approach delivers the best outcome. Ann has a practical and compassionate approach, as demonstrated in her brilliant new book. It is a much-needed antidote on the all-too-often stressful and soul-searching path to parenthood. I will be recommending it to my fertility patients. - Emma Cannon, integrated fertility and pregnancy expert, acupuncturist and author of The Baby-Making BibleAll too often the management of reproductive health is seen through the narrow prism of a particular clinician or clinic. This book provides the perfect balance outlining the integrative mind and body approach and provides an essential complement to the medical aspects of the fertility journey. - Dr James Nicopoullos, Consultant Gynaecologist & Subspecialist in Reproductive MedicineAnn Bracken expertly shows readers how to weave mindfulness into their lives to help them take care of their well-being as they live through a challenging process. Her book includes a great deal else besides but I was impressed by how she makes mindfulness so readily accessible. - Padraig O'Morain, mindfulness teacher and psychotherapist, author of Mindfulness on the Go, Mindfulness for Worriers

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