There are many books on pregnancy and childbirth, but those
that are written about the period after childbirth tend to focus,
almost without exception, on the baby. Many parents interpret
this to mean that they should make this major adjustment in
life magically, that parenthood comes naturally and without
difficulty. The social and personal attitudes that often sur-
round new parents reinforce this impression.
This book grew out of our concern, as new mothers, for the
lack of easily available information about the physical and
emotional facts of life that a new mother faces. In talking with
other mothers we were relieved to discover that they shared
our concerns, and we realized how much guilt and uneasiness
can come from feeling you are alone in what you are ex-
periencing. With the hope of reaching other women who had
recently had babies, we wrote the handbook on which this one
is based, and began distributing it in September of 197~.
The response to our initial handbook has been very exciting.
Hospitals and parent education groups of all sorts are order-
ing it in bulk, childbirth groups are including it with their
materials, and new parents from around the country are writ-
ing for copies. Groups of new parents are getting together to
give each other support and talk about their feelings. Both
individuals and groups report a sense of relief at having a
chance to share their problems with others who are making
similar adjustments.
The positive responses we have received from so many read-
ers have encouraged us to expand the first edition and to
broaden its focus. We are increasingly aware of the importance
of exploring the feelings and problems of new fathers as well
as new mothers. Men have conflicts of their own to resolve, and
they are affected by every aspect of the adjustment to parent-
hood. As new opportunities open up for men and women to
share baby care as well as outside commitments, we feel strongly
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