Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting: Emotions, Mental Health, and Happiness -- Before, During, and After Pregnancy

by Lucy J. Puryear

An expert on women's reproductive mental health examines the emotional and hormonal changes that take place in pregnant women at every stage of the cycle, from pre-conception, through each trimester of a pregnancy, to the postpartum period, covering such areas as medications and pregnancy, eating disorders, bonding with one's baby, depression, and more.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Psychology

240 pages, Hardcover

First published June 13, 2007

Reviews

[Karly Noelle Abreu White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short little book is a great read for expectant women (and their partners!) even if they're experienced. Dr. Puryear's insights into psychiatry make for a balanced read, and even in late pregnancy her insights into issues like body image and postpartum depression are really helpful. Her advice is balanced and sensible and more importantly, can make the expectant woman feel like she's not, well, crazy.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was very readable, compassionate, and open to the wide variety of experiences had in pregnancy and childbirth. I found her anecdotes very helpful and her tone very gentle and grounding—she avoids idealizing childbirth into something unattainable, as seen on viral takes on social media and in the latest self-help books. Instead, she reaches into some of the darkest thoughts and times some women wrestle with, the fears and anxieties that they pull onto their own backs, and tries to ease the burden with a level head and a kind heart. I really enjoyed this!

[Michelle Ackland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has good information but feels quite out of date. There are no references to single mothers, LGBTQ families or even families in poverty or with little social support. The target market for this book is a white woman, married to a man, with middle to upper class income who had a planned pregnancy. Because of these limitations, I can’t imagine recommending this book to clients or other therapists.

[Alexis Burnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably groundbreaking in 2007. The content is solid but limited in variety. Typical examples and suggestions revolve around a working or stay-at-home mother with a husband who works outside the home. Skip this if you already are looking into hiring a doula or are in need of something beyond the basic "baby blues" vs. postpartum depression list of symptoms.

[Emily Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would consider this necessary when pregnant - especially because of the postpartum section. There's plenty of advice out there on the scientific and physical aspects of pregnancy, and the emotional part is equally important imo

[Tim Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm grateful for this book. Dr. Puryear draws on her experiences as a physician and psychiatrist to offer compassionate insight to expectant readers. She shares stories, writes with zero pretense, and demystifies the emotional atmosphere of pregnancy in a way that's sensitive and consoling. I'm encouraged by resources like these which promote the emotional health as equally as the physical well-being of mothers. As Dr. Puryear writes, "If we protect our mothers, we protect ourselves and our futures." I happily agree.

[Janine Tangney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't ultimately finish reading this book, because I found that the author focused far more on clinical depression and other mental illnesses during pregnancy than I expected. I was looking for a general "what to expect and how to cope" book and this didn't satisfy my needs.

Three stars for what is a well-written book (and would certainly help folks struggling with depression during pregnancy), but I detracted two stars because I think the title and description is a bit misleading.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Non-Fiction Pregnancy- Moods) This book really helped me to realize how important it is for my and the baby's well-being to be relaxed, rested, and taking care of myself. As a complusive to-do-list-maker, and as an easily stressed person, I have really had to work on this and this book has helped. I recommend this book for any pregnant woman who is struggling with the imbalance of hormones in her body.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

M said I'm not moody, but I think that is just compared to his first wife... I haven't read much of the book yet but so far it seems pretty good at explaining all the different things that can be running through your mind when you are preggers and why they might be coming up now as issues. Plus the huge hormonal swings, of course!!

[Alecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, why didn't I know about this book until the END of the third trimester!?! Pregnancy was really hard on me emotionally (and physically) and this book helped me feel like I wasn't the only one. She gives great examples of women's stories that I could relate with. I'm telling my ob/gyn about it.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't end up finishing this book because it didn't scratch any surfaces for me. The parts I read mainly followed this format: "If you're pregnant, you might be feeling like this because this. That's ok. That's normal. This pregnant woman I worked with felt like that and I helped her this way." I quickly tired of this and found it offered no insights for me.

[Vmichelle Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even when - okay especially when - you're happy and prepared (you think) for pregnancy, some of the emotional changes and mood swings come as a surprise. I'd been wanting a book like this and was so glad when I found it. I knew much of what I was feeling was probably normal, but a book like this helps so much!

[Jacqueline]

Helpful information, but kind of a downer to be constantly reminded of the threat of postpartum depression. Useful tips: take care of yourself, make things easy after bringing baby home (cooler with snacks near your bed, keep diapers nearby, let the baby sleep wherever lets you get the most sleep, stay in your pajamas to remind visitors that you're not at full speed).

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not wholly applicable to my situation, but a great collection of things to think about. I'm really glad I read this book in its entirety. It'd be good for just perusing, too. It has good "TIPS" - "truth in pregnancy sessions" - at the end of each chapter.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for pregnant woman, or woman who have infants. Reminds us that we're not perfect and have a vast array of emotions, and that's okay.

[Ghalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this mood. It helped me a lot to understand what may happen when I am pregnant and make sure it is very normal and just happens to everyone on the universe :)

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive review of this book would be very personal, but I can say that it seems unique, and for me it has provided essential insights and calmed my worries about pregnancy.

[Sariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think all midwifery students should read this. Easy to read, great information.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful read! I thought it was going to be more strictly informational, but the author conveys the majority of her content through narratives from her therapy office. It was a non-threatening way to share many of the possible emotional reactions women (and their partners) may experience during and after pregnancy.