I really wish I had a book like The Art of Pregnancy when I was was pregnant with each of my three kids. As it was I had a more mainstream pregnancy journal/planner book and it did more to make me anxious or fearful than to relax me and inspire me. As the natural parenting and childbirth movements gain ground we see more great books like these, books that empower women to gestate and give birth on their own terms.
It is a planner so it helps you stay organized during this momentous time and it follows the weeks of pregnancy giving information and inspiration for celebrating what is going on in your body at the moment. It is also an art book, which I LOVE. It is full of gorgeous artwork depicting pregnant women and the type of art represented is vast and varied. It made me swell with pride 4 years AFTER my last birth so I can only imagine how uplifting these photos of strong beautiful women would be while you are with child. Pregnancy is a time when so many women feel down on their looks but this book celebrates that gorgeous baby bump and those curves that are developing to sustain your baby.
I remember a lot of advice to shop for different things in the pregnancy planner I had. This books is quite a bit different. It offers advice on how to celebrate and appreciate where you are in the moment and to how stay physically and emotionally healthy for what lies ahead. Aka have an organic potluck, have your belly painted with non toxic paints, asks friends for a single bead with a blessing and make a birth necklace, prayer flags, massage your baby, do yoga, ect. There are several beautiful poems sprinkled throughout too. It really makes me long to have another baby, LOL.
This book would be a great gift for any pregnant mamas you know or for yourself too of course. It is a planner, a journal, a guide, a source of inspiration and inner strength, and an art book. Enjoy!
