Nine Golden Months: The Essential Art of Nurturing the Mother-To-Be

by Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, Marisa Belger

Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, and Marisa Belger, the bestselling authors of The First Forty Days and Awakening Fertility , encourage mothers-to-be to care for themselves—and not just their babies—during pregnancy.

There is so much noise surrounding pregnancy and birth. There are countless books teeming with information—what test does what, the “rights” and “wrongs” of eating, and “safe” or “risky” lifestyle choices—but few that hold a woman through the experience, acting as an elder sister, a matriarch, or as a circle of women might hold her—with compassion, nonjudgment, and, most of all, wisdom. To the authors of Nine Golden Months , this is exactly what’s needed now, in an era of high-speed living, endless demands, and more than a little anxiety and fear.

A woman needs to feel connected to others, rooted in the knowledge that many have done this before her, and calmed and fortified by time-honored practices that nourish her body, soothe her mind, and hold up her spirit. The (still-growing) success of The First Forty Days showed that women are longing to experience the deeper aspects of becoming a mother. Nine Golden Months shares timeless guidance from the authors’ extraordinary circle of practitioners, guides, and wisdom-keepers specializing in prenatal care; it draws from Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, and features rituals and self-sourced wisdom, so that it addresses all aspects of a woman’s pregnancy emotional, mental, physiological, and spiritual.

Includes color photographs

Genres: Parenting, Cookbooks, Health, Nonfiction, Nutrition

256 pages, Hardcover

Published August 30, 2022

Reviews

[Stephie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more actual, applicable advice from the book, but it is more of a "this is my story" with a bit of advice here and there. The nutritional standpoint is pretty accurate, but it is hard for me, as a Christian, to look past the recommended witchcraft (such as yoga). Definitely not a "must read" but entertaining, if nothing else.

[Reagan Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been such a staple to me throughout the first part of my pregnancy! It’s validating and full of love and support. It’s helped me learn how to lean into my intuition, meditate, and take care of myself. There’s also load of delicious recipes at the end. I’ve tried a few and am excited to try more!

[Wei Tchou · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wish i could give it even fewer stars!

[Joy C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this book more. As a mom of soon to be 5 and someone who has worked with midwives and helped welcome 100s of babies into the world, I can appreciate different points and information in this book. It just wouldn't be my first book of recommendation for anyone who asks me what they should read.

[Aideen G · Rating 2 out of 5]

This came up as a recommendation when buying the first forty days, so I thought why not. Ultimately I’m pretty disappointed. While it says it’s not it feels very geared towards wealthy white women who like burning sage at home whose husbands work in silicon valley. I had hoped for something truly enriching, but its very basic intros to breath-work and the likes. The messaging throughout out is trust your instincts, don’t let yourself be henpecked by the opinions of others (good advice), and then goes on to say things like “don’t eat seed oils don’t put your baby at risk by eating foods that have been sprayed with pesticides, sugar? No don’t do that either”. The reality is some of us mamas to be are broke and are lucky to afford fruit and veg PERIOD. Now im weighing up whether to plough on with the first forty days or if its going to be another slog for me.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pregnancy Essential

These ladies are amazing and I’m very grateful for them in taking their knowledge to share with all the women in the world. This book and there others having become an essential resource in my life and for the ones I love around me. If you are a mother to be or thinking of becoming one, even to help someone who is pregnant read they’re books!

[T.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is the second of hers I have read and it was just as informational and educational to me as her fertility book. I love hearing about how TCM supports pregnancy and the pregnant woman’s body as a whole and not just as a medical event.

[Brittany Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Heng Ou takes you on a poetic journey of the importance of self-care and allowing yourself to fully experience the adventure of pregnancy. She wrote this during covid (which is when I had my first pregnancy) so it feels current and relatable. I am sad I did not have this during my first pregnancy but felt like the thirst for it this second time around just deepened my appreciation that Ou brought it into existence.

Biggest takeaway: Trust your instincts and make time to care for yourself. [the author] says at one point “when you don’t have time for yourself, your baby’s soul is asking “will you even have time for me?” and that has to be the most heartfelt way of communicating the importance of self-care during this time and all throughout motherhood. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for them.

How was the audiobook? It was hard to follow at times when there were a lot of back-to-back quotes or the author was walking you through a breathing ritual. The narrator's voice was very neutral/easy to listen to but at times would sound a bit devoid of emotion, which came across as a business menu recording.

…the physical book? Absolutely stunning quality with a linen texture and soothing color palette. Something that makes my shelf look good. I highly recommend getting the physical copy to easily refer to favorite quotes, any relaxing techniques that are shared, and the RECIPES! Let’s just say I did not do my research on the author before reading (I went in blind based on a recommendation from a friend) and I was equally surprised and thrilled when I found the recipes in the back.

[Liuba · Rating 1 out of 5]

It might have been my personal bias, but being focused foremost on visual information, I expected a degree of expertise in nutrition in the most mundane sense when seeing the cover and picking up this book.

In reality, the first chapters exhibit a beautiful waterfall of new-age potpourri suggesting to "listen to the whispers from within," "drop from a thinking body into feeling body," "connect to Shakti" and, sadly, not providing any evidence-based information. All the subsequent chapters represent themselves as 'treasures'; however, being acquainted with other materials on pregnancy, self-care and nutrition, I failed to find these contemplations particularly treasurable.

The topic of nutrition is only present in the last couple of chapters without carrying much more than common knowledge.

[JGP · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Awakening Fertility before pregnancy and enjoyed it. I was excited about this book but was unfortunately dissapointed. Having now read plenty of books about motherhood and pregnancy, this book falls very short in my view. Mixes a very wide range of topics, remains on the surface, lacks a solid structure and comes across as repetitive. It did not add or stand out in any dimension compared to other books. I find the ingredients required for the recipws very unfamiliar and difficult to find in Europe. In short, many ideas thrown into the air but no structured approach as to how to bring all that together in practice.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book series!

I was so glad to see that there are 3 books in this series! I love the focus on nurturing the mother as a whole, each book addresses nutrition which is what I was searching for, but they also address how to support the mother/ mother to be in many ways that I had never thought of. Just reading these books feels so supportive, and it helps from before conception to years after postpartum.

[Anna Sallee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
great book, definitely not my favorite pregnancy book by any means but has some helpful reminders and thoughts on nutrition. she definitely emphasized the importance of seeing your kitchen as a place to sink into, getting out of your head and into your body, where you can feel calm and collected instead of flustered or stressed. overall good a good book, would recommend, but I have others I’d recommend first.

[Rachel Wines · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me giving this two stars is literally generous. Not only was this only 10% about actual food for pregnancy like I thought… it also has a random chapter about late pregnancy loss! Why why why are you putting that in a pregnancy book without warning?

My other point of beef is that this is so “woo woo” she tells us to call on our ancestors in birth? Um no maam will not be summoning anyone during my birth other than Jesus Christ my Lord & savior 🫠

[Emilie Fernández · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très bon livre. Cependant se présente comme ayant des recettes simples et après on se retrouve avec des ingrédients exotiques (chers et complexes à cuisiner) que tu ne trouve que dans des boutiques spécialisées.

[maegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book felt like a loving embrace from a loved one.

I found this much more helpful in terms of changing my mindset to a positive, empowered one; over the food side of pregnancy. Even though it has a colorful dish on the cover, I found the food advice quite generic and, to be honest, I'm a firm believer in trial and error and "you do you".

I'll still read this one again, as well as The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother when I'm close to my delivery time.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did not speak to me. I was expecting something a little more holistic, but it was a little overly poetic for my preference. I often found myself sort of drifting off and getting distracted. There were a few too many references to her post-natal food delivery business.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I liked this book, I did not like it nearly as much as the previous book called The First Forty Days by the same authors. This book felt so much more fearful and dogmatic in its nutrition advice when compared with the loving guidance of the previous.

[Liv Augusta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was a nice soft and loving way to look at pregnancy.

[Katieloowho · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about thoughtful, soulful mental birth prep and also traditional foods from different cultures for a nourished pregnancy. Will be recommending to others for SURE

[Courtney Rehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful and thought-provoking. A cozy read for any expecting mom who appreciates looking inward for personal growth.

[Evi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interessant boek met prachtige inzichten, wel erg langdradig geschreven

[Abbie Etzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book kind of a slow read

[liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of whimsical and definitely a more philosophical way to approach pregnancy as opposed to practical application tips.

[Hannah Brundage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting. I wanted to read more about a more holistic approach about pregnancy. It was interesting and had some good idea but some of the other things that were said were kind of unrealistic for any working women. Still good and informative.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heng Ou does it again. Her books are my top TOP recommendations for mothers! She knows the art of holding and nourishing the mother well - from both the emotional and physical sides. Before she dives into recipes and nutrition, she always spends the first portion of her books tending to the inner landscape of the mother and honoring the tremendous journey that she is on. The wisdom she brings in from her Traditional Chinese Medicine background and quotes or advice from guests, who are also birthkeepers, helps to center and nurture one's mind, heart, and body. The support from this book feels like sitting with a wise old grandmother, guiding and tending to your needs as you undertake one of the most important journeys of your lifetime. Not to mention, the variety of recipes in the back of the book are wholesome, unique, and delicious!
If I could give her books 10+++ stars, I would!