A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy: Walking With Mary from Conception to Baptism (Catholicmom.com Books)

I would have to agree with another review that I read, and I wish I would have read it before starting this book. To preface, this is not a bad book at all, but is just not for everyone. There are very sensitive topics and, unfortunately topics that only some mothers will relate to. Since I had a pretty easy pregnancy (no morning sickness, no complications, etc.), I just could not relate to the book. It seems like this book is for expectant mothers who are faced with a lot of challenges during their pregnancies, which may not be something that you find out until you are through with the pregnancy. I am about half way through and I don't think I will continue reading, or at least not all of the chapters as it can be a little depressing to read. The author does a great job, but just a forewarning to all expecting mothers before buying this book.

One of the few books thar does not overwhelm me! Each chapter is about 3 pages, and they all end with a prayer, which is a nice reminder to pray if you happen to have forgotten. There is one chapter for each week of the pregnancy, which has been a nice change of pace from the "read everything now" approach I've gotten from otger books, family, and even my nurse. Very calming, spiritually helpful book with reflections on the mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Stay close to Our Mother; she'll help you and your baby stay close to Christ. God bless you!

Awesome book! I found so much of it helpful in dealing with a challenging pregnancy! Love the connections to the mysteries of the Rosary and the prayers to use each week! Also found the additional section on birth and baptism encouraging!

I am pregnant with my third child and I thought that this book would be a wonderful way to grow closer to our Blessed Mother through weekly reflections that also give insight into the various stages of pregnancy. I loved the idea of using the mysteries of the rosary as a means to connect as a mother with Mary. However, given the other glowing reviews, I did not anticipate that there would be so much content in the book that I would find upsetting.I should have noticed that there were "features" (short essays at the start of some of the chapters) on miscarriage, stillbirth, coming to terms with a baby that may not live, etc. before ordering the book, but I was so thrilled to find a book that included my Catholic faith in my pregnancy that I failed to notice. Reinhard notes on pg. 2 that these more difficult topics may not "fit" and suggests that you simply should not read them if you do not wish to. I had planned on doing exactly that, but found that there were frequent recollections outside of these features detailing the loss and funeral of Reinhard's sister-in-law's full term child (There are three mentions before week 18; there may be more, but I have decided to stop reading the weekly reflections. I did read the final sections on labor, birth and Baptism.). Now, perhaps I am oversensitive, but I simply wasn't expecting a book for expectant mothers to include so much sadness. I understand that the features and recollections in question are a reality, and may offer support to women who experience them. Yet, I wonder if they could not have all been placed together in their own chapter where they could be easily referenced if needed or avoided. Again, I understand that the inclusion of these topics is for the reader to not have to seek out additional resources during a heartbreaking time. My opinion is that it is unsettling to open up your book in eager excitement for the week's reflection and be faced with the all too real knowledge that one of these experiences could happen.Additionally, this is a minor complaint, but I found it confusing for the chapters to use the fetal age as well as the week of pregnancy. For example, Chapter 2 is titled "Week 6 (Fetal Age: 4 Weeks)".I appreciate Reinhard's effort in writing a book for Catholic mothers to grow in their faith during such an exciting and special time in their lives, but I felt that it focused a bit too much on the negative for my taste. I had hoped for a book that would be both inspiring and uplifting, but, sadly, this wasn't it.

I put this in a gift basket for a new mom to be. She said it was a great book that she enjoyed very much. She told me it was very inspirational to her. There are alot of books out there for pregnant women, but this one touches a mother’s soul.

I really enjoyed reading this book for both of my pregnancies. Yes, there are tough topics addressed (miscarriage, stillbirth) but I found them helpful because it encouraged me to trust the Lord more than ever. I highly recommend this book!

I wish I had found this book earlier in my pregnancy! I did "catch up" and read to the point in my pregnancy where I am. I love the walk with Mary and the spiritual aspect to this book.

This book was good, but had some negative things. If your pregnancy has been hard, this is the book for you. Mine was easy so I could not relate to her quite a bit.

As a Catholic, this book is definitely one of the few that combines adequate levels of scientific detail with prayer, contemplation and doctrine. Nothing else quite like it out there and I'm very happy with it. Good conversational and easy to read style makes it a book to look forward to each day and very compatible with daily prayer. Love the action bits at the end of each chapter which have lots of good little ideas like praying for your priests. Love the positivity of the author who constantly remoulds your ideas about beauty and love as propagated by the world. Would have been 5 stars had there been a bit more detail in areas: maybe richer biblical references or themes. This is just personal preference and I would buy the book for Catholic friends in a heartbeat. God bless!

I myself am an Orthodox Christian, but this book was a true God sent to me! Such a lovely, practical, kind and to-the-point story, that is very supportive and understanding while you read it. Especially great was the chapter about the Baptism for me, you just wont really find it anywhere else. A definitive must read!

A genuine book !

Beautiful in every way.

A prayer to walk day by day with the baby...