The Pregnancy Companion--a book review

I must admit, when I was first asked to read a pregnancy book, I was a little surprised. After all, I've never been pregnant! 
However, I have experienced a pregnancy vicariously through mija's birth-mom! I read a lot of pregnancy books during those months of waiting. I wanted to know what was going on with my future baby and what the birth-mom was going through. I wanted to be able to pray for them with understanding and wisdom.




The Pregnancy Companion: A Faith Filled Guide for Your Journey to Motherhood was written by Jessica Wolstenholm and Dr. Heather Rupe. 
The two authors give this book a combination of perspectives you don't usually find in one book. Dr. Rupe deals with the physical and health aspects while Jessica Wolstenholm deals with the spiritual and emotional aspect. Each section of this book has both of those. First there is discussion of the pregnancy followed by a devotional and spiritual applications to what is going on during that period of pregnancy. I don't think I've ever seen that format used. It was encouraging.


Another thing that is different in this book is how far back it starts. While I've seen individual books dealing with getting pregnant, this book starts with the hows and what-nots about getting pregnant. It then takes you all the way through postpartum.


There is one thing about this book which I can't decide is a positive or negative. The authors are honest about "negative" things such as infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, preeclampsia, etc. They are good things to know about, but I wonder if being too informed would make one more fearful or less fearful. I think it would depend on the person. Personally, as one who is infertile, I wouldn't have purposely picked up a book entitled The Pregnancy Companion to find out more about infertility.


This is a one little thing I really didn't like. Considering the fact this book is supposed to be coming from a Christian perspective, I question some of the wording. One word in particular is the use of "partner" at times instead of spouse or husband. If you are a Christian, you should be pregnant by your husband or reminded that you should be pregnant by your husband. 


All in all, I think this is a nice little book. I like how it gives encouragement in the Scriptures along the way. I would recommend it as one of the books you go to during a pregnancy. It brings "Medicine & Faith together!"


I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.