Written by one of the world's leading obstetricians, this extraordinary book takes a totally fresh look at what parenting means in the 21st century. Addressing both parents, the book looks at all aspects of life, through the nine months of pregnancy and the following nine of the baby's life. It is both a practical handbook for pregnancy, birth and the early months of a new baby's life, and a stimulating exploration of this period of enormous transition. Taking a holistic approach, it advocates integrated health care, i.e. both conventional and complementary therapies, and, with its exhaustive medical content, including a 160- page A-Z section, also acts as a superb source of reference.

With Mindful Birthing, Nancy Bardacke, nurse-midwife and mindfulness teacher, lays out her innovative program for pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. Drawing on groundbreaking research in neuroscience, mindfulness meditation, and mind/body medicine, Bardacke offers practices that will help you find calm and ease during this life-changing time, providing lifelong skills for healthy living and wise parenting. SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF MINDFUL BIRTHING: Increases confidence and decreases fear of childbirth Taps into deep inner resources for working with pain Improves couple communication, connection, and cooperation Provides stress-reducing skills for greater joy and wellbeing

‘Marie Louise is a dream come true for any parent with her uncanny ability to simplify the most important and complicated questions’ Emma Bunton, co-founder of Kit and Kin Whether you are planning for a baby, just found out you are pregnant or well into your third trimester, this book will help you to feel confident, informed and inspired about your exciting journey ahead. Through years of work with families, Senior Midwife Marie Louise reveals the key things that will make the biggest, most positive difference to you and your baby as you navigate these life-changing months. As well as this, Marie Louise is renowned for bringing complex science to life. You’ll discover fascinating facts that underpin everything you and your baby will go through, including - - How your nervous system is synced with your baby and why baby already knows a lot about you when they are born - The unique process your baby goes through to pass through the birth canal and how you work together in labour - Incredible facts about breast milk Packed with the most up-to-date findings and expert insights, you'll find everything you need to prepare for motherhood and, most importantly, understand and appreciate just how amazing you and your baby both are!

Being Zen(ish) is what we call it - and it's the ish that we endorse! Teresa Palmer and Sarah Wright Olsen, two moms from opposite sides of the world, are doing their best to raise happy, empathetic children while working, traveling, and maintaining their sanity. With seven kids between them, the founders of the much-loved Your Zen Mama blog know as well as anyone that motherhood doesn't exist in the highlight reel of life, and that finding even a fleeting semblance of calm among the epic ebbs and flows of parenting is usually all you can hope for. Forget perfection and prepare to get real, vulnerable, and dirty (mostly from guacamole) with Sarah and Teresa as they share knowledge they've collected over the years, from the Your Zen Mama community and expert mentors, as well as being in the trenches of parenthood themselves. In The Zen Mama Guide to Finding Your Rhythm in Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond, you'll find: Important questions to ask and decisions to make before and during pregnancy Essential guidance from a woman's point of view for conception, pregnancy, and childbirth Nutritional and dietary advice to support the complete health of both mother and baby Practical education about the mother's body before, after, and during pregnancy Science-based methods to promote a mother's healthy body and mind Expert advice from medical professionals, chiropractors, and pediatricians Engaging, accessible advice for every step of the newborn's journey Suggestions and tips for creating a birthing plan Comforting language to address fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, and complicated labor Access to the Your Zen Mama resource guide Whether it's dealing with fertility challenges or pregnancy loss, riding out a long and complicated labor, or juggling multiple kids (and work), these mamas have been through it - and have written this book to help you find your own glimpses of Zen along the way.

‘In The Birth Space … you will find the information and support that will take you from conception through matrescence, with deeper calm, confidence and power.’ Aviva Romm, MD The Birth Space is a doula's guide to conception, pregnancy, birth and postpartum that highlights choice and rights in the perinatal space. In this beautiful book, trained and experienced doula Gabrielle Nancarrow offers comprehensive information about the birthing landscape that will empower you to choose the right birth for you – whether that be an obstetric, midwife or home birth. The Birth Space shows us how to prepare our minds and bodies for pregnancy and labour, from conscious conception through to postpartum and into matrescence. Gabrielle helps us understand what to expect during this period and translates the medical terminology so we are informed. She also provides remedies for common ailments, shares insights from other birth specialists, and is a constant spiritual guide from conception and beyond…talk about continuity of care! Filled with moving photography by Ilsa Wynne-Hoelscher Kidd (@ilsa_whk), Lisa Sorgini @lisa.sorgini, and Hayden Trace (@feelinghomeagain) as well as intimate real-life stories from contributors covering pregnancy loss, IVF, same-sex conception, home births, caesareans and more, The Birth Space is the essential companion for anyone who is seeking guidance as they enter this new chapter of their life.

Two leaders in pregnancy yoga share useful yoga techniques to guide expectant mothers from bump to birth and beyond Authoritative yet thoroughly accessible, this user-friendly book provides yoga techniques for pregnancy and beyond, helping expectant mothers to deal with all the physical and emotional changes you experience along the way. Authors Tara Lee and Mary Attwood—both leaders in the field—explain the important fundamentals of pregnancy yoga, such as: • Using breathwork to relax your body and reduce stress • Guided meditations and visualizations to help you feel calm and positive • Illustrated step-by-step routines to energize you and relieve muscle tension and pain • Beneficial postures for a range of common pregnancy-related conditions, including back pain, breathlessness, and swollen ankles • Advice on preparing for labor and childbirth • Post-natal exercises to get you back in shape and energized as a new mother Most importantly, Tara and Mary emphasize how every woman can take charge of her whole self to ensure a happy and healthy pregnancy and birth. The foreword by internationally celebrated Dr Gowri Motha, creator of the Gentle Birth Method, reinforces the message that pregnancy and childbirth is a positive experience to cherish and enjoy.

During the year after giving birth, some mothers struggle to recover from the wearying days, sleepless nights, and assorted other troubles ��� mental, physical, and spiritual ��� that childbirth brings. If you're one such woman, know that you don't stand alone. Author Allison Auth has experienced all these woes and more, growing wise along the way in the art of postpartum life ��� a healing art she illuminates and shares here with you. In these lively, plainspoken pages, Auth introduces you to powerful exercise, health, and nutrition practices that can relieve ��� and often even eliminate ��� most of the troubles you might suffer during that difficult year after your baby is born. These practices will help you find the energy, balance, and healing ��� physical and spiritual ��� that you need to care confidently for your loved ones, your home, and your soul. Auth will even teach you a surefire way to slay, once and for all, the toxic temptation to compare yourself unfavorably with that ���perfect mom��� next door, whose hair is always tidy, clothes neat, and house clean. Here, you'll also learn: How to deal with unfulfilled expectations when your careful birth plans go awry How vitamins, sleep, and exercise can help you sustain your loving relationship with your spouse ��� and with God! How to deal with Natural Family Planning uncertainties during the year after giving birth How to overcome self-directed negativity about your post-pregnancy body What to do when even small household tasks seem overwhelming How to combat discouragement when your postpartum spiritual life grows feeble How to open yourself to friendship with other new mothers (and why you must) Why sustained self-care is critical to your well-being . . . and your family's Three ways to weather the stages of your child's development and the seasons of family life And much more! Whether you're struggling through a ���dark night��� of genuine postpartum depression or simply enduring a frustrating roller coaster of emotions, Auth's wealth of experience and bright wisdom will help you finally experience what you've been longing for since before your baby's birth: the inexpressible joys of motherhood.