Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood-and Trusting Yourself and Your Body

by Erica Chidi, Jillian Ditner (Illustrator)

Overview

An all-inclusive pregnancy and birthing guidebook that gives soon-to-be mothers and their partners the information they need to make decisions, feel confident, and enjoy the beauty of creating new life.

A comprehensive and judgement-free pregnancy companion, Nurture is the only all-in-one pregnancy and birthing book for modern mothers-to-be and their partners who want a more integrative approach. Author Erica Chidi Cohen has assisted countless births and helped hundreds of families ease into their new roles through her work as a doula. Nurture covers everything from the beginning months of pregnancy to the baby's first weeks.

This empowering book includes dozens of important topics that every modern mom needs to know, such as fetal development, making choices for a hospital, home or birth center birth, the basics of breastfeeding, tips on what to expect postpartum, and more.

THE ULTIMATE GUDIE FOR MOMS TO BE: Nurture is packed with helpful resources, including supportive self-care and mindfulness exercises, trimester-specific holistic remedies, nourishing foods and recipes for every month of pregnancy, and expert tips for every birth environment, accompanied by more than 40 charming and informative illustrations, charts, and lists.

EXPERIENCED AUTHOR: Erica Chidi Cohen is co-founder and CEO of Loom in Los Angeles. She began her work in San Francisco, volunteering as a doula within the prison system, working with pregnant inmates. She went on to build a successful doula and health education practice in Los Angeles and has been featured in Women's Health, Vogue, Goop, The Cut and Marie Claire.
 
EXPERTS LOVE IT: Nurture is highly recommended by a wide range of experts:
 
"What a gift to new and expecting moms. You have no idea the mountain and rollercoaster you're about to embark on, but Nurture somehow gives you a peek in and gives you essential information to help ground you." —Catherine McCord, founder of Weelicious and co-founder of One Potato
 
"It's like having an expert doula and friend at your fingertips. I'd recommend this book for the nightstand of every expectant mother." —Joanna Goddard, founder of the women's lifestyle website Cup of Jo

Perfect for:

• Expecting mothers and their partners, first-time moms, and new parents
• Gift givers looking for a great baby shower gift
• Adding to the shelf alongside other pregnancy books and titles on birth and parenting

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452152639
Publisher:	Chronicle Books
Publication date:	10/24/2017
Pages:	448
Sales rank:	42,946
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Erica Chidi is a doula, lactation counselor and trained chef. She is also the co-founder and CEO of LOOM, providing education, services, and inclusive community to the reproductively-curious, pregnant and parenting. Raised in the United States and South Africa by a doctor father and nurse mother, she began her career in the world of contemporary art and public relations, but found herself drawn to helping others achieve their wellness goals. Stimulated but unfulfilled, she decided to act on her desire to positively impact the lives of women and families by training to become a doula. She soon built a successful solo practice which quickly gained national visibility due to her judgement-free philosophy that women should receive unconditional support no matter how or where they choose to birth. Erica empowers people to trust themselves and navigate pregnancy and early parenthood with confidence. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

Table of Contents

Introduction 8

Part 1 Welcoming Change 12

Chapter 1 You've Got This 14

Chapter 2 Tools for Welcoming Change 24

Chapter 3 Cultivating Balance: Easy Self-Care Practices for Every Stage of Pregnancy 54

Part 2 Through the Months: Your Growing Baby 70

Chapter 4 The First Trimester 72

Chapter 5 The Second Trimester 100

Chapter 6 The Third Trimester 132

Part 3 Preparing for the Birth 166

Chapter 7 Choose It, Then Let It Go 168

Chapter 8 Choosing Your Birth Environment, Birth Team, and Preferences for You and Your Baby 180

Chapter 9 Labor: The Signs, Stages, and Interventions 206

Chapter 10 Finding Comfort During Labor and Building Your Birthing Preferences 234

Part 4 The Postpartum Shift and Early Motherhood 282

Chapter 11 The Recovery Path: Helping Your Body Heal 284

Chapter 12 Nourishing and Nurturing Your Baby 324

Epilogue: Finding Your New Normal 397

Resources 401

Acknowledgements 434

Trademarks 435

Index 437

Editorial Reviews

Erica is one of the warmest, kindest women I know, so it’s no surprise that Nurture reveals how to take gentle care of yourself during pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood (as you gradually develop what she calls your “mother muscle”). Nurture supports all different approaches-home births, epidurals, breastfeeding, bottle feeding-so you can choose your own path with Erica's reassuring advice. It’s like having an expert doula and friend at your fingertips. I’d recommend this book for the nightstand of every expectant mother.”-Joanna Goddard, founder of the women’s lifestyle website Cup of Jo

“Beyond having a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of all things pregnancy, birth, and baby, Erica Chidi Cohen truly cares about the wellbeing of all mothers, babies, and partners. This book is for everyone-regardless of their birth preferences, background, or beliefs. The knowledge my husband and I gained reading this book has us feeling prepared, empowered, and ready for whatever lies ahead.”- Whitney Port, author, fashion designer, and television personality

“Erica's loving, practical, and judgment-free approach is rich in useful, calming advice. I have no doubt that you’ll love having Erica's comforting voice guide you through this extraordinary, exciting journey.”-Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP, author of the DVD/book, The Happiest Baby on the Block, and The Happiest Toddler on the Block

“What a gift to new and expecting moms. You have no idea the mountain and rollercoaster you’re about to embark on, but Nurture somehow gives you a peek in and gives you essential information to help ground you.”- Catherine McCord, founder of Weelicious and One Potato

"A great read for the modern parent! It's what I would recommend to my own friends to read”- Abby Epstein, Director The Business Of Being Born

From the Publisher