The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition, and Other Holistic Choices

by Aviva Romm, Ina May Gaskin (Foreword by)

Reading The Natural Pregnancy Book is like having your own personal herbalist and midwife at your side. Expertly written by Aviva Jill Romm, who has been providing family-centered natural health care for almost twenty years, it guides women through treating the common ills and ailments of pregnancy simply with herbs and nutrition.

Aviva thoughtfully follows the woman's journey from baby's conception to birth, describing herbs that can promote and maintain a healthy pregnancy, along with those you should avoid during your term. Her herbal remedies cover such familiar concerns as anxiety, fatigue, morning sickness, and stretch marks. She also discusses the components of a healthy diet, with an emphasis on natural foods. With its detailed information and comforting voice, The Natural Pregnancy Book is a complete primer for the woman who envisions a safe pregnancy as nature intended it.

Genres: Parenting, Health, Nonfiction, Herbs, Childrens, Reference, Womens

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[April · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are probably many great things about this book. Unfortunately, just after starting this book, we miscarried. I turned to the section on miscarriage at the back of the book to try to make sense of such an awful and emotional experience. This book informed me that I probably just didn't *want* this baby enough, and that I should search my heart. It then said in the future, I should create a baby shrine and envision a healthy baby and pregnancy to prevent this. Excuse my language, but FUCK YOU book! If holistic/natural is going to provide such toxic information, I'll go back to science and medicine, thankyouverymuch.

[Emma Troyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not finish it, did not like it. Some helpful information, but honestly hard for me to take it from such a loopy anti-Christian perspective. I also mightily disagree with a lot of the nutrition advice -- again, a different perspective.

I had read other reviews about the section on miscarriage, and I have to agree that the author's position seems very cold and heathen to me as well. She describes miscarriage as nature's way of not allowing an unhealthy baby to be born, and encourages practices like setting up a shrine for your unborn baby to reaffirm -- who, the universe? This nature god of yours? -- that you actually want to have this baby, as a prevention for miscarriage.

I believe that the mind, body, and soul are all inextricably connected, because our Creator designed us this way, and He is sovereign over our bodies -- not us, and definitely not some pagan nature god. I don't believe in the visualization and manifestation and affirmation this woman teaches, and found it really disappointing that she focused on that so much.

[Hethyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had trouble deciding whether to rate 2 or 3 stars, so I'll say 2.5. This book has a lot of good information but the shame aimed at those who want or require hospital births with an obstetrician was terribly off-putting. While I would prefer an unmedicated, at-home, water birth, a congenital heart condition requires me to deliver at a hospital and I have chosen a wonderful, caring, and highly knowledgeable obstetrician. The author goes so far at to state that many obstetricians go into obstetrics due to a love of surgery and accuses them of fearing birth. Ugh. Also, in the section on miscarriage, the author says, "You may have to come to terms with whether in your heart of hearts you really want to be pregnant or whether you or your partner have fears, anxieties, or ambivalence about having a baby." Having suffered a miscarriage with my first IVF transfer after 20+ years of trying to conceive with my husband, there is nothing more abhorrent than blaming a woman for not wanting to be pregnant enough. I really wanted to like this book since it was recommended by a birth-worker friend I trust and respect, but unfortunately, I really can't recommend this book to anyone else.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books for pregnancy with comprehensive information about herbs that can and cannot be used during pregnancy. There is also a section on common concerns during pregnancy with practical tips on how to address them as well as herbal remedies. I highly recommend!

[Hannah Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a birth doula, I love this valuable prenatal resource! Dr. Aviva’s work is truly game-changing. This book is an incredible holistic guide to supporting a healthy pregnancy. I love the format of this book — it’s easy to find exactly what information I’m looking for on things like high blood pressure, nausea, & all sorts of pregnancy-related topics. I’ve learned so much about herbalism through this book, & it has really impacted the care & suggestions that I’m able to provide to my clients.

[Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for women with a holistic mind-set. It is definitely written for those planning on going all-natural, but I think that any pregnant woman can benefit from and enjoy what Aviva Jill Romm has to say ... whether or not all-natural is their plan.

The book is divided into two sections. The first section is about pregnancy in general, although it is by no means a month-by-month medical guide to pregnancy. That's okay, because there are plenty of other good books out there that go over the facts of reproduction in detailed chronological order. The first section of this book is about your changing body/growing baby with a spiritual emphasis. It's about being in-tune with your body, "reclaiming women's wisdom," making the right decisions for yourself regarding prenatal care, being empowered in general, eating well, exercising, resting well, and special things to consider as you near the end of your pregnancy. There is a chapter devoted to emotional changes during pregnancy, but there are a lot of discussions of that sort throughout the book. I think that goes along with the spiritual emphasis. I liked that emphasis, because pregnancy is a creative/spiritual journey ... that aspect gets stifled in a lot of other books and resources for pregnancy & childbirth. This book is certainly not clinical in tone! Romm has a friendly, down-to-earth, and encouraging way of writing.

The second section is a guide to common issues during pregnancy, and the natural/herbal remedies for them. The "issues" are in alphabetical order, so that they can be easily referenced. Some of the "issues" are common pregnancy complaints, such as fatigue and morning sickness. And others are just common complaints, with recommendations for how to treat during pregnancy ... such as for when you might have a cold or the flu.

There is an appendix for herbal preparations in the back, as well as a list of resources.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st 2/3 of the book are an overall review of what a natural pregnancy can look like. Foods to eat, how to birth, excetera. The last 3rd was what I found to be the most useful and unique in this realm of natural birth books. It's a guide and reference on how to treat certain ailments with natural herbal treatments. This would be the only section I would want to keep and refer back to again and again.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I whole-heartedly recommend all of Aviva Jill Romm's books. She is my favorite childbirth/parenting author. Even if you are not interested in herbal healing, she has a lot of practical advice and has such a calming, encouraging way of writing. I refer to all of her books often.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could be incredibly useful to many as long as you take what you need and leave what doesn't resonate you (as there are a lot of controversial and strong opinions about pregnancy and birth here).

[Sanneke]

I’d probably rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars, although I did thoroughly enjoy it. I loved the message throughout the entire book that women should listen to and deeply trust their bodies and their intuitions. Her section on how to treat common concerns and how to use herbs in pregnancy was invaluable! Some of the advice elsewhere in the book was outdated (such as the dietary advice—it hardly lines up with what recent research has proven, but that’s why we have more modern books like Real Food for Pregnancy) and I would have liked to see a little more evidence-based or research-based statements, but at the time this was written there may not have been much of that available. Overall it was a valuable read!

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gentle, natural advice for the pregnant. I appreciated how much this book emphasized women’s wholeness and wisdom, but I sometimes felt like the holistic advice was distributed a bit too liberally (with no references to efficacy, research, or any verifiable studies). Some of her notes were downright offensive (i.e., that you could have miscarried because deep down you didn’t really want the baby). Overall, though, some solid counsel here for those who want to avoid drugs and find natural remedies for common pregnancy aches and pains.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book overall. Of course there were small bits that aren’t my jam but mostly found it very helpful info If your goal is natural pregnancy & labor. Though I think the author was a midwife during this publication & an herbalist, she has also become an ob/gyn (after the pub of this book?) so I greatly value her insight & point of view as she lands more integrative but has an inside knowledge of the modern medicine approach to labor & therefore has an incredible breadth of knowledge!!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly Aviva Romm does it again. I’m already deep in the homebirth/natural parenting world so the first half was not anything outstanding to me, but I absolutely loved the second half with practical tips and herbal remedies for common situations in pregnancy. Definitely would recommend for any parent looking towards the midwifery model of care and wants to be able to take the reigns of their own care.

[Hotspur · Rating 4 out of 5]

The wife had me read this. I didnt see any other male reviews on this, so I figured I'd give it a shot. It was a quick and informative read, with excellent pregnancy information on herbs, nutrition, as well as psychology. I've read a few pregnancy books now, and this was the only one that seemed to celebrate the experience.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're into the crunchiest pregnancy advice with lots of herbs and fun things you can take for symptoms, this is for you! Are they palcebo? Maybe, but it feels good to do something. Aviva Romm is a hippie-ass midwife who then went on to get her MD at Yale late in life. I keep going back to this book.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I don't come from a vastly different spiritual mindset than Romm, I appreciated the thorough nature of this book and the practical suggestions she has for many different challenges one might face throughout a pregnancy. I have and will use many of her suggestions.

[Amy Doeun · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this book with many starts and stops, but when I finally was able to focus I found the info so timely and invaluable, especially about being an advocate for our own health care decisions.

[SUSANA POSADA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanto!

Un libro súper práctico, fácil de leer y con muchísimos tips para mamás! Me encantaron sus consejos! Súper interesante! Recomendado

[Katieloowho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Simple, holistic, and so very helpful! I will be turning to this one again and again as a doula to help my clients to know natural safe ways to help make their pregnancies easier.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year by Susun S. Weed is "the Bible" for herbal usage during pregnancy.... However, I MUCH prefer this book.

I think the information is more useful and more practical for most moms-including me! I am mixing up a batch of her "nourishing tea" herbal infusion right now.

Love all of the holistic advice given for common pregnancy complaints. Many of them have been very useful for me when nothing else seems to work.

It's amazing what a difference it makes when you take good care of yourself during pregnancy!!! I read this book half-way through my second pregnancy and set it on my nightstand, first thing, as a constant reference for my third pregnancy!

I always have a hard time giving 5-stars to pregnancy books that get all in to the blessingways. The idea of honoring the transition to motherhood instead of just focusing on gifts for baby is great--sadly, not common in our culture, but great. However, I have yet to read a book that doesn't suggest spiritual goddess, make up some rituals and have an alter blah, blah, blah for blessingways...they are always presented as just "ideas" on how to have one...and I know people that have had them in very appropriate ways...but it always irks me when authors make suggestions like that. So for a page (out of the 318!) the author DOES mention this. But there is SO much wonderful information in this book that I would never hesitate to recommend it to a pregnant mom. Nothing else in the book even mentions it.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides good motivation for following the mother's intuition as well as practical tips and herbal/natural suggestions for all types of pregnancy symptoms. I will continue to reference post-pregnancy.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for those interested in herbal and holistic approaches to pregnancy. A thorough list of complications is paired with herbal approaches and natural remedies. Many recipes for herbal remedies as well as how to make teas, infusions, decoctions, tinctures etc as well as what the difference in all those are. The dietary recommendations do not align with a WAP (Weston A. Price) diet as they are mostly vegetarian. Other than that, this is highly recommended resource to keep on hand!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is easy to read with short chapters full of useful and easy-to-assimilate information - very accessible to parents (you don't have to be a birth worker to understand what is in here). It is an excellent, comprehensive resource for prenatal nutrition and holistic care. I like how it encourages and supports mothers in taking charge of their well-being during pregnancy. I will definitely be recommending this.

[Caitelen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic reference for moms at any stage in their pregnancy to learn how to care for yourself and your unborn using gentle, yet powerful herbs. It's well organized so you can use it to find answers for a specific concern topic by topic, but it's also an enjoyable read. Aviva Jill Romm is a trusted source in the world of herbs, midwifery, and health. I recommend this for any mom looking to expand on her prenatal reading!

[p roper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I am so glad that I was able to get it from the library; it is going on my list of books to add to my collection. I love the knowledge that the author has and her whole attitude toward hospitals and doctors. She clearly knows a lot about birth and has a clear understanding of what is appropriate at home and what isn’t. This book is easy to read and just a good resource book to have on hand.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned about some great teas and tinctures that are *safe* for prego women plus some good exercies to do, daily, that do not involve special clothes, pillows or a yoga mat. Apparently squatting ten min. a day will prepare you for childbirth, but it really makes me think of planning to go to India, eh Mel?

[Ivon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous when I was expecting baby #2. I carried it around with me a lot, and it was an amazing reference book. I loved the energy teas that were nourishing as well. I enjoyed a holistic way of thinking when it came to the carrying my baby, and the spiritual connection that I made. I am glad that a friend referred it to me.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aviva just touched on a lot of topics, but didn't go into depth on many things.

The strengths of this book are the remedies for common preg symptoms, which takes up half the book. I thought it was more usable than the Herbs for a Healthy Pregnancy book.

Also, great information about BlessingWays.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good comprehensive book on holistic choices during pregnancy and birth. I love that this book covers physical and mental exercises, dietary and herbal recommendations to help ease common discomforts during pregnancy. There's something in here for everyone. The non-preachy and mindful tone were great too.

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful book. I especially appreciated 3 parts. 1. The discussion of the emotional aspect. 2. The list of safe an unsafe herbs etc. 3. Obviously the natural aspect of the book appealed to me.

The downside- termination of pregnancy comes up entirely too often, and I was not comfortable with that.