Pregnancy is a paradox: whereas it is a channel to welcome a new life into the world for which there is huge celebration, it can also be a means to pain and
anguish through the death of mother and/or child. Nations and governments, families and couples, and individuals and health workers continue to work towards reducing the rate of death of mother and child before, during and after pregnancy; and also improving the birth conditions and experience for mother and child. This book could not have come at any better time than this. As an edited volume by a medical practitioner and a psychologist on a very critical subject in Ghana's health landscape, it has organized in a holistic manner, important contributions from over 20 experts with varied backgrounds. The book is divided into 5 sections. The authors begin from Before Pregnancy. The idea is that pregnancy must be carefully planned, and as much as possible, mobilise the resources needed to go through the entire period. From financial planning to diet and mental health, the authors have carefully provided very important nuggets for beginning this journey. The clear objective is to help women intending to get pregnant to avoid the taken-for-granted lifestyle issues which have the potential to affect a healthy pregnancy. Section Two covers the pregnancy stage and what the pregnant woman must do. From complications to diet, mental health, oral health and others, the information provided will erase any ignorance that might cost a life. Babies do not automatically grow as expected after birth; conscious and intentional actions are required from their mothers to help them grow healthily. This is the focus for Section Three. The authors provide useful information on vaccination and feeding, among others, to improve both baby and mother's health. Sections Four and Five address selected topics for the family. From maternity care, parenting children, violence in pregnancy and children, cultural issues, and a provision of a resource guide to mothers, the authors commit themselves to help women and their families to experience pregnancy as a process with phenomenal outcomes.

The book is culturally sensitive and provides the Ghanaian mother (and even mothers from other countries) with knowledge on cultural nuances during[xiv] pregnancy, and how to address them. As the Editors have indicated, "Every page is written with the needs of the Ghanaian woman in mind and is packaged to meet the unique needs of Ghanaian families". The book makes the woman agentic, with the power to choose when to get pregnant, what to do to improve her pregnancy experience throughout the journey, and a healthy way of caring for the baby and herself after the pregnancy. I find this book liberating as it does not treat the pregnant woman as a victim, or an object of an experience that could jeopardize her life. Rather, it treats the subject from an empowering perspective to appropriately and culturally respond to all issues that affect pregnant women, their children, and families. Indeed, it is compliant with the SDGs Goal 3, "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages". I strongly recommend this book to all women and mothers, husbands and fathers, family caregivers of pregnant women, religious leaders, women leaders in religious organizations, teachers, sex educators, NGOs, health trainees and workers, mental health workers, and anyone who cares about women, mothers, and children. This is a must-read and must-have compendium that should be in your library. Prof. Joseph Osafo Adu
Head of the Department of Psychology
University of Ghana