A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy: Walking with Mary from Conception to Baptism (Catholicmom.Com Books) [Paperback]

Sarah A. Reinhard (Author), Lisa M. Hendey (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 24, 2012 | Series: Catholicmom.com Books

Popular Catholic blogger and speaker Sarah A. Reinhard presents the first book to accompany expectant mothers from conception to baptism with weekly reflections and prayers rooted in the mysteries of the Rosary and related to the baby's physical development.

Designed to help expectant mothers embrace pregnancy as an opportunity for spiritual growth, A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy prepares mothers for the trials and joys of pregnancy, childbirth, baptism, and, ultimately, motherhood. Each week of pregnancy is paired with a mystery of the Rosary, a personal, down-to-earth reflection from Reinhard, advice for living the sacramental life, and a prayer to help the reader grow in faith as she bonds with her unborn child.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Uncertainty, morning sickness, and anxiety suddenly turn to hope and direction in A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy, a book that will comfort, guide, and inspire you during your pregnancy."--Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, EWTN Host of Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms

"Sarah Reinhard combines insight and humor to create yet another must-have book for Catholic moms. Whether this is your first pregnancy or your tenth, you'll find A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy to be an invaluable resource."--Jennifer Fulwiler, Blogger at ConversionDiary.com

"Sarah Reinhard takes the reader by the hand and walks her through the amazing process that is pregnancy. Never hesitating to explore both the challenges and the joys of this season of life, Sarah has created the guide to pregnancy that Catholic women have been waiting for."--Hallie Lord, Author of Style, Sex, and Substance

"Whether you're expecting your first child or tenth, A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy speaks to the hopes, fears, and love that come with nurturing a new life. This treasure of a book truly is a companion for expectant moms and its words of wisdom and encouragement will help readers mature in faith just as their baby matures in the womb."--Kate Wicker, Author of Weightless: Making Peace with Your Body

"To bring a new life into the world is the ultimate journey, so why not make it a spiritual journey? In A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy, Sarah Reinhard invites us to experience pregnancy and birth through the prism of our Catholic faith. Week by week, we marvel at what God has created within us, cling to him every step of the way for strength and consolation, and yearn for the moment when we will bring our long-awaited bundle of joy to the baptismal font to join the family of God. This book is a great journey companion for every Catholic mom-to-be. I sure wish I had it when I was pregnant with my four boys!" --Elizabeth Ficocelli, Author of Seven from Heaven

About the Author

Sarah A. Reinhard is a popular Catholic writer, blogger, and contributor to such sites as CatholicMom.com, Integrated Catholic Life, New Evangelizers, and Amazing Catechists. She produces a weekly segment on Mary for the iPadre, Catholic Foodie, and Uncommon Sense podcasts.

In addition to serving as editor of her parish's publications, ministry scheduler, and odds-and-ends parish support, Reinhard is the author of five books for Catholic families and writes a monthly column in the Diocese of Columbus's The Catholic Times. She also contributes a weekly column on the Catholic Writers Guild's blog. Reinhard holds a master's degree in marketing and communications and has worked for many years in corporate and nonprofit organizations. She lives in central Ohio with her husband and three children. Visit Reinhard online at SnoringScholar.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Ave Maria Press (September 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594712980
• ISBN-13: 978-1594712982
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sarah Reinhard is a Catholic wife, mother, and writer living in Ohio. She writes at SnoringScholar.com in the midst of rural farm life with little ones underfoot. A convert to Catholicism, she's still learning what to do and when to do it, and she struggles (like so many others) with keeping sight of her faith in the midst of everyday life.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Catholic moms- and not just first time moms! September 21, 2012

By Laura

Format:Paperback

When I was pregnant with my fourth child, I remarked that I wished someone would write about pregnancy and childbirth for mothers who had multiple children. My favorite books about pregnancy did not address the needs of a mother who was pregnant with her fourth child in less than five years: caring for older multiple older children, balancing their needs, housework and the daily task of growing a whole new human being!

Thankfully, someone has finally written that much-needed book! I found Sarah A Reinhard's book, A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy: Walking with Mary from Conception to Baptism, an easy but delightful read. There was just enough information about the development of an unborn baby to give me a good overview of pregnancy without it turning into "just another" pregnancy book. I found her reflections on Mary thought provoking and made The Blessed Virgin seem much more human, real and personable to me. I especially enjoyed her musings on whether Mary felt morning sickness as she was journeying to see Elizabeth and the story behind Our Lady of La Leche.

Sprinkled throughout the books are essays from other Catholic writers such as Kate Wicker and Jane Lebak. I really enjoyed reading the essays and it was nice to hear the perspective of other Catholic women about the ups and downs of being pregnant.

I loved the overall tone of the book. One thing I really appreciated was the fact that Reinhart admits pregnancy isn't all sunshine and rainbows. She freely and openly admits to the aches and pains of growing a baby but doesn't dwell on it. She offers practical tips for dealing with these common pregnancy side effects. I sometimes feel that pregnancy books, especially ones with a religious bent, either dismiss the physical and emotional hardships of pregnancy or make a mother feel "less than" for not fully enjoying even single moment of pregnancy. It is refreshing to have these complaints realized and new tips and tricks for dealing with them.

The final chapters of the book are devoted to labor, delivery and baptism. I wish the baptism chapters had been around when I had my first child! It would have been a great help to me and offered a great "baptism prep" to go with the class we had to take at church. Even though I have baptised four babies, the information would still be useful if we were to have a fifth.

Overall, this is a fantastic book and would make a lovely gift for yourself or another expectant mother!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If You are Catholic and Pregnant, Buy This Book! September 14, 2012

By Patrice Fagnant-macarthur VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

"A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy: Walking with Mary from Conception to Baptism" is the book I wish I had owned and read when I was going through my own pregnancies. Sarah Reinhard, a self-described "non-baby" person - even though she has three lovely children of her own, takes an honest and faith-filled look at pregnancy.

Part One offers a weekly journey through one's pregnancy with information on what stage the child is at during this week, a faith-filled task for each week, a reflection on one of the mysteries of the rosary (one goes through the 20 mysteries twice during the full pregnancy), and a explanation about a particular aspect of the Catholic faith. Part Two focuses on labor and birth, while Part Three centers on preparing for and celebrating your child's baptism.

I greatly appreciated Reinhard's refreshing honesty about mixed feelings during pregnancy. So many pregnancy books seem to only emphasize the blessing and not acknowledge the inherent difficulties many women face during this time. As she puts it so well, "know that you'll be blessed, even if the road to it feels like a pile of rocks to climb."

I also thought that special topics dealing with difficult situations, written by other moms, were incredibly helpful. Topics such as Eating Disorders during Pregnancy, Tips for Handling Depression, Coping with Miscarriage, Giving Birth to a Child with Special Needs, Carrying a Baby to Term who Might Not Live, and When Labor Doesn't Go as Expected are tough subjects to talk about, but they are topics that sorely need to be addressed. These women bravely share their stories in the hopes of helping others facing the same challenges.

This is also a very practical book, offering concrete ways of coping both during pregnancy and after birth. As is often said, a baby changes everything. Life will never be the same and those first few months can be especially taxing. Reinhard emphasizes the need to ask for help, and the difficulties inherent in that for many of us. She also makes valuable suggestions about how to incorporate prayer into your incredibly busy life.

If you are Catholic and pregnant, or know someone who is, "A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy" is definitely a book you want to buy!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book for pregnant women November 29, 2012

By Cheryl

Format:Paperback

A Catholic Mother's Companion to Pregnancy by Sarah A. Reinhard arrived on our doorstep somewhere in the second half of my pregnancy. I will admit that I was a little skeptical that there would be much new in the book for me given that I was currently smack dab in the middle of my eleventh pregnancy. I was surprised to find that there were things for even a seasoned Mom to glean from this book.

First, this book is not full of the nitty gritty physical and medical aspects of what is going on when you are pregnant. If that is the kind of book you are looking for, this one is not for you. Second, this is not a book that you will sit down and read in large chunks. This is a book meant to be taken in slowly in small pieces over time. Unless it arrives in your home when you are already most of the way through your pregnancy. Then you just might find yourself reading the entire thing at once.

What this book is a spiritual guide to the path you travel when expecting a new baby. Each chapter covers a week of your pregnancy. Your experiences are covered from a faith based or emotional perspective. Each chapter ends with a short prayer that is relavent to that phase of your pregnancy.

I'll admit that a few weeks after our baby died, I saw this book laying on my bedroom floor and found myself reaching for it. Yes, that seems a little strange to some folks I suppose. But I had remembered seeing something in the book on stillbirth so I found myself sitting on the floor paging through the book looking for something that might help me sort out the mess in my mind. Although the topic was covered very briefly, it did help me to realize that the path we are currently walking is not one we are traveling alone. I suppose my one complaint was that the topic was touched on so briefly that I felt a need to read more. I know folks do not like to dwell on the possibility of losing a baby rather than bringing one home but when it happens, you need something to lean on without leaving the house.

One particular section of the book that spoke to me the first time I read it was the reminder to pray for our husbands. My husband often reminds me that it's incredibly hard for him to connect to the baby during pregnancy or to watch the times I'm in pain for some reason or another. There is something about a pregnancy that can leave a husband feeling incredibly helpless. Our last pregnancy was full of so many minor bumps in the road that I know he was feeling particularly helpless this time around. The reminder to focus on praying for him and the burdens he carries was particularly needed.

If we are blessed with another pregnancy, I hope to be able to say that I was able to spend time each week reading this book and praying my way through each week. But until that time, I hope to recommend this book to other expectant mothers, both first time moms and those of the more seasoned variety. We can all use the reminder provided that each chance to carry a new life is the greatest gift and miracle that will ever touch your life.