A publicist sent me a copy of the Happy Baby, Healthy Mom Pregnancy Journal
The combination book and journal offers information and advice for all stages of pregnancy and the first few weeks postpartum. It describes what the embryo/fetus is doing at any given point, what physical changes a mother may experience, and offers suggestions for diet, exercise, and mental health. Those who find plowing through pregnancy tomes too much to handle may prefer the snack-size weekly information here. The advice is taken from Dr. Greene’s previous book, Dr. Robert Greene’s Perfect Hormone Balance for Pregnancy
The book also has plenty of room for an expectant mother to note her own thoughts about her pregnancy. There is room for freeform expression, as well as suggestions for specific things to note, like your feelings about becoming a parent, thoughts on breast vs. bottle feeding, your physical symptoms, the results of medical checkups, etc. I’m a blank-book kind of writer myself, but those who want more structure or who want to keep a diary but have a hard time thinking of what to write, this could be helpful.
The catch is that this is still a book for non-LGBT mothers. Although it uses the term “partner” in many (but not all) cases in lieu of “husband,” it is clearly a male partner:
- “Has your partner’s body changed? Some men gain weight when their partners are pregnant. . . .”
- “What changes have you seen in your husband?”
- After your baby is born, your partner might experience some anxieties in his new role as dad and support person.”
- “Sex is a great way to relieve stress, but not if you’re worried about hurting your baby. . . . Find positions that avoid your partner putting his weight on you or compressing your baby. . . .”
- “Stress Relief Tip: Join a new moms support group. You’ll get together . . . and talk about your lack of sleep, breast-feeding, crying, gas, husbands, and all other pertinent issues.”
- “Journal about your mother and how she will be a part of your pregnancy and your life with your new baby. If you have a poor relationship with her or she is deceased, write about those feelings.” [What about the daughters of gay dads?]
It is a shame that a press willing to reach out to the LGBT parenting market did not see fit to make the small changes that would have made this book more fitting for all mothers. (They could also do more to be inclusive of single moms-to-be.)
If you can ignore or translate the male references, then you might want to consider Happy Baby, Healthy Mom if you are looking for a pregnancy journal. If not, pick up a copy of a lesbian-specific pregnancy guide, such as Rachel Pepper’s The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians
