You are having a baby. It's exciting, it's a miracle, it's a new family member, so what's going on? Why are you so moody?

It does not matter if you are pregnant with your first child or your fifth, there will be times when your emotions will surely run amok. Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting provides valuable information on how, why and what to expect when your emotions and moods swing back and forth like a pendulum.

With so much talk about, and interest in, postpartum depression I immediately checked to see how the issue was addressed in Dr. Puryear's book. I was not disappointed, Dr. Puryear goes into great detail about this particular depression that often comes on the heels of the birth of a child. I also learned that Dr. Puryear served as an expert witness in the Andrea Yates case.

Any woman who is pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant should read Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting, it would not hurt for her partner and best friend to read it also. The advice given is encouraging and reassuring. The cover lists advice on, "how to deal with normal fears", "making a birth plan for emotional well-being", "real-life bonding with your baby" and other very real issues that may set new mothers and mothers-to-be adrift. However, that is just the sample of the sage advice women are offered. This book should be required reading for moms-to-be, it could have been called, "everything you wanted to know about pregnancy, babies and mood swings, but were afraid to ask." One of the things I liked most about this book is that you are not only getting expect advice, Dr. Puryear's voice is often first person, there is comfort in that.

The Appendix of Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting, includes much useful information, including a postpartum plan to help new mom get her thoughts and plans in order.

Author Lucy J. Puryear, M.D., is a psychiatrist who specializes in women's reproductive mental health. She is also the mother of four children.

Highly recommended.

Available from Amazon. Understanding Your Moods When You're Expecting: Emotions, Mental Health, and Happiness -- Before, During, and After Pregnancy