A Holistic Guide to Embracing Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood

By Karen N. Salt

Book Overview

The newly pregnant woman faces a multitude of changes in her mind, life, and body, some of which are addressed by traditional medical care but many of which are not. In this holistic guide, the expectant mother will find warm and reassuring advice that will help her stay calm, focused, and energized during this exciting time and beyond.Rather than treat the arrival of a baby as strictly a one-moment-in-time medical event, author Karen Salt provides advice and wisdom to "treat" the whole woman-her emotions and her physical changes-and covers the entire year-long experience of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Salt's holistic approach unveils for mothers-to-be the backbone of the doula role-to provide support, information, advocacy, and facilitation to women during pregnancy, labor, and early motherhood-and teaches her the many ways to use the doula philosophy to nurture herself through the process. From meditation and relaxation exercises, to fitness and nutrition advice to tips for achieving "positive energy living," this comprehensive guide puts mothers in control of their pregnancy, their birthing experience, and their approach to this wonderful and life-altering time.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1555612822
• ISBN13: 9781555612825
• Release Date: December 2002
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.74 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great resource for all pregnant women and their labor support!

This is one of the best pregnancy related books I've read. I really enjoyed the format and content. Great information organized in a great way. This will definitely be a go-to book for me!!

Best Motivational Pregnancy Book!

This book is very inspiring. After reading this I felt empowered to have a natural holistic birth. I came very very close to it( I made it to 7 centimeters dialation with no drugs then the pain became unbearable). This was my second pregnancy and this book help me to see pregnancy in a whole new aspect. i woud recommend this to all pregnant women as motivation and inspiration!!

Truly Comforting Book

This is the first pregnancy book I read that really helped me understand and feel comforted about my pregnancy. Lots of other books have obvious agendas, including trying to convince you to have a hospital or home birth. Other books read more like a medical text book. After reading those kinds of books, I was frustrated and stressed out about the pregancy. This book reads like a talk with a best friend or family member who really wants to help you. She gives great advice about how to take care of yourself and your baby as well as real talk about the different things that may or may not happen during the birth.

The REAL girlfriend's guide to pregnancy & birth!!

Forget the "other girlfriend's" advice about shaving your legs or painting your toenails...Karen Salt offers REAL, supportive, thoughtful, and informative advice for the mother-to-be. From how we view our changing bodies to journaling to choosing a care provider / birth place to postpartum self-care...this book has it all. Her warm voice comes through the pages to gently encourage thought, informed decision-making and a renewed sense of honoring the self through this incredible time!Like a trusted friend or close relative, Karen includes volumes of information in this one tiny book. Easy to pick up and read from cover to cover (rather than having that overwhelming hit that many books on this topic do!), I highly suggest this book for every pregnant woman. Sink back into the loving pages of this book! Let Karen guide you gently through this amazing journey - with love, support, and intelligence!