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Finding Calm for the Expectant Mom: Tools for Reducing Stress, Anxiety, and Mood Swings During Your Pregnancy
In today's perfectionistic culture, pregnant women are expected to be boundlessly optimistic and literally glowing with happiness. What often go unacknowledged are the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy. This book offers strategies and solutions for confronting and relieving the stress of pregnancy.
Think about some of the words so commonly used to describe a pregnant woman: "radiant," "glowing," "serene." But even for women who are thrilled to be having a baby, pregnancy can also be a difficult time filled with ambivalence, anxiety, and moodiness. Women who are typically accustomed to having complete control over their bodies endure waves of morning sickness, discomfort with their expanding belly, exhaustion, and anxiety about the impact a baby will have on their career, relationships, and freedom. Many pregnant women feel guilty about the challenging emotions; they face enormous societal pressure to be ecstatic about impending motherhood and wonder what is wrong with them when they don't feel the happiness they think they should be experiencing.
Research shows that excessive stress during pregnancy is associated with premature birth and low birth weight. But relief does not come in the form of a pill--antidepressants have the potential to cause pregnancy complications and lifelong harm to unborn babies. The Stress-Free Pregnancy presents a seven-step program that shows women what they can do to feel happier, calmer, and less stressed in a safe and natural way. With the tools and problem-solving techniques presented here, women can adjust their expectations, restructure negative thought patterns, cultivate resiliency, and become better prepared to take on the role of motherhood.
Think about some of the words so commonly used to describe a pregnant woman: "radiant," "glowing," "serene." But even for women who are thrilled to be having a baby, pregnancy can also be a difficult time filled with ambivalence, anxiety, and moodiness. Women who are typically accustomed to having complete control over their bodies endure waves of morning sickness, discomfort with their expanding belly, exhaustion, and anxiety about the impact a baby will have on their career, relationships, and freedom. Many pregnant women feel guilty about the challenging emotions; they face enormous societal pressure to be ecstatic about impending motherhood and wonder what is wrong with them when they don't feel the happiness they think they should be experiencing.
Research shows that excessive stress during pregnancy is associated with premature birth and low birth weight. But relief does not come in the form of a pill--antidepressants have the potential to cause pregnancy complications and lifelong harm to unborn babies. The Stress-Free Pregnancy presents a seven-step program that shows women what they can do to feel happier, calmer, and less stressed in a safe and natural way. With the tools and problem-solving techniques presented here, women can adjust their expectations, restructure negative thought patterns, cultivate resiliency, and become better prepared to take on the role of motherhood.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2016
15 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 7, 2020
A little simple for me and where I am in my journey but I always appreciate anything I can read that reminds me to stay calm!
November 30, 2021
When I got a positive pregnancy test a few weeks ago, I decided I should try to enjoy this time around because my other pregnancies were so emotionally draining....And then I found out my doctor is no longer doing OB. My anxiety just went through the roof! Those hormones really kick it up. Parenting and medical issues during Covid times are just exponentially more challenging.
This seems to be better for a new mom. (Particularly a moderately well-off and partnered one.)
Anyway, a lot of this seems like review and the things I am most concerned about NOW are just not covered in the book. That's ok because the techniques mentioned are applicable to my fears and I could see some of them helping me. The stress management tips could probably fit into a blog post, however.
Decent book, but it doesn't hold a candle to talking to my trusted doula.
This seems to be better for a new mom. (Particularly a moderately well-off and partnered one.)
Anyway, a lot of this seems like review and the things I am most concerned about NOW are just not covered in the book. That's ok because the techniques mentioned are applicable to my fears and I could see some of them helping me. The stress management tips could probably fit into a blog post, however.
Decent book, but it doesn't hold a candle to talking to my trusted doula.
July 14, 2020
I definitely recommend this book to pregnant people, especially for any who deal with mental health issues (pretty much everyone).
The main thing I didn't like about it, is the same thing I don't like about any pregnancy book. They're all written for married middle to upper class people who work 9-5 jobs, have reliable income, maternity leave, etc. It doesn't always matter but some of the advice just doesn't apply to single people, poorer people, people who work odd schedules at work, etc.
I did skip most of the last chapter. It's about life after baby is home and is probably as good as the other ones but does not apply to people like me who's baby doesn't get to come home right away.
The main thing I didn't like about it, is the same thing I don't like about any pregnancy book. They're all written for married middle to upper class people who work 9-5 jobs, have reliable income, maternity leave, etc. It doesn't always matter but some of the advice just doesn't apply to single people, poorer people, people who work odd schedules at work, etc.
I did skip most of the last chapter. It's about life after baby is home and is probably as good as the other ones but does not apply to people like me who's baby doesn't get to come home right away.
April 23, 2024
Informative for a surface-level understanding of the subject, although some parts felt too simplistic or lacking in depth. I would have loved more descriptions of some of the exercises she mentions, as some were skirted past, which made it hard for me to know how to put them into practice.
It definitely did bring me a lot of comfort, though, through the turbulent emotions that have caught me a bit by surprise these last few months~
It definitely did bring me a lot of comfort, though, through the turbulent emotions that have caught me a bit by surprise these last few months~
July 4, 2021
this book feels older, like it was published in the 90s rather than 2016 (despite references to instagram) because it's so old fashioned. Only obs as care providers, no mention of non-heterosexual couples. This is a book written by a straight white middle class woman for other women exactly like her.
May 4, 2017
Amazing, this is CBT for pregnancy
June 10, 2019
Not as useful as the fourth trimester book I'm currently reading, but still, a great summary with good tips for how to deal with issues in pregnancy
December 25, 2022
Repetitive. Basic CBT. Very anti-meds.
September 28, 2016
I won a free copy from the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program and think that it interesting and beneficial. I would recommend it to everyone.
December 4, 2016
Useful information and good sense of humor
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews