Book excerpt: The relationship between mother and child begins the moment a woman learns she is pregnant. Meditations for Pregnancy is a beautiful tool for mothers-to-be to enhance that relationship, nurture their bodies through a healthy pregnancy, and focus their thoughts on a joyful birth experience. Pregnancy can inspire an overwhelming host of emotions. A woman may feel excitement about the new life growing inside her, yet apprehension about the changes it will bring. Her body is expanding; her hormones are out of control. Everyone offers unsolicited advice. What she really needs is a way to calm her fears, center her thoughts, and focus her mind on her prenatal child. Meditations for Pregnancy is written by an expert in pregnancy and birthing to provide guidance and comfort to the mother-to-be throughout the weeks of her pregnancy. For each week, beginning with the fifth, the book provides a thoughtful meditation that speaks to the specific needs and joys of that phase of pregnancy. Inspirational quotations and a short affirmation accompany each meditation, along with a brief description of the development of the growing fetus that week. Best of all, an audio CD features a 20-minute guided meditation to calm the expectant mom's emotions. It is read by the author and accompanied by soothing music. Meditations for Pregnancy is a wonderful way for women to explore their feelings, calm their nerves, and bond with their babies-all in preparation for the transformative experience of birth.