Strong as a mother How to stay healthy, happy, and (most importantly) sane from pregnancy to parenthood : the only guide to taking care of you!

There are thousands of books about pregnancy and a few thousand more on any number of topics for after the baby arrives. Most focus on the new baby, with any helpful tidbits around the mother's health seeming incidental to the baby's needs. Rope, journalist and coauthor of The Complete Guide to Medications during Pregnancy & Breastfeeding (2013), works to change that with this book wholly devoted to what new mothers need. Divided into three parts pregnancy, surviving the first year, and motherhood beyond this book recognizes that, as a mother, maintaining mental health should be a top priority. The topics covered are vast (from feeling anxiety in early pregnancy, to being a mom to a fussy baby, to handling doubtful thoughts once the baby has been born), and the book can be read from start to finish or consulted by section for mothers' most pressing needs. One of the book's best assets is the repeating feature, Been There, Done That, which includes other mothers' personal perspectives on the topic being discussed.--Spanner, Alison Copyright 2018 Booklist

In Rope's approachable guide, the focus is on the fears and concerns around pregnancy that women may be reluctant to discuss. After enduring a difficult pregnancy, Rope (The Complete Guide to Medications During Pregnancy) decided a book representing "all the experiences of pregnancy" was needed. Writing in the tone of a friendly, nonjudgmental peer, she ticks off potential sources of distress for mothers-to-be that other people might have trouble understanding, such as feeling no sense of connection to the fetus, or having overwhelming and unfounded fears about the baby's well-being. Rope mixes in solid advice from experts and her personal experiences, but a disappointingly light sprinkling of anecdotes from parents. A strong proponent of caring for oneself in order to be able to care for others, Rope extensively discusses finding a support group and "building your village." A noteworthy section argues for avoiding the trap of becoming the "default parent"-the one who knows everything from shoe sizes to school schedules-with Rope urging parents to discuss who will handle what responsibilities. Although occasionally repetitive, Rope's book offers women commonsense guidance and vigorous reassurances on coping with the tumultuous changes of pregnancy and parenthood. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.