Expecting Mindfully: Nourish Your Emotional Well-Being and Prevent Depressions During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Dimidjian and Goodman, psychology professors who specialize in women’s mental health, devote this meticulous guide to introducing a persuasive, if challenging-sounding, program for using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) to prevent depression and minimize anxiety and stress before, during, and after pregnancy. They guide mothers-to-be through eight “classes” or chapters, each including daily reading, “reflection questions,” supportive quotes from past program participants, physical activities (yoga, walking), and journaling prompts, all intended to “build the skill of mindfulness in daily routine ways.” Even before readers get to the classes, the authors provide “practical preparations for the journey,” including a helpful “Is This Book for Me?” checklist. The sections are uniformly organized and open with “key lessons,” from simple steps in class one such as learning “how to recognize autopilot” in daily life, to class two’s “three-minute breathing space practice,” to class three’s more complex “practice of lovingkindness.” Readers expecting a concluding summation will be disappointed, as the book ends abruptly with class eight. But those who work the program should gain valuable skills and tools for getting ahead of depression and anxiety, as well as a useful workbook for reference during pregnancy and quite likely for the rest of their lives. (Apr.)