The book is also distinguished by England's realistic description of the emotional ups and downs of pregnancy. The sanp-shots of the women who have sought help from England--some who are thrilled to be pregnant, others who want to use essential oils instead of painkilling drugs in labor, and those who are deeply ambivalent about their pregnancies or depressed after birth--offer a reminder of the immense complexities involved in giving birth. When England writes, "Pregnancy is one time in a woman's life when she needn't feel guilty about occasionally indulging herself," one can't help but give thanks for her gentle understanding that many women might have mixed feelings about doing exactly that. Forget about the lavender oil; this kind of sympathy is the best therapy of all.