The Joy of Pregnancy

Congratulations—you’re pregnant! During the excitement of the coming months, you’ll have a lot of questions: What should I eat? How much should I exercise? How do I plan for the birth? What will labor and delivery be like?

As a perinatal nurse and childbirth educator, Tori Kropp has the answers. In The Joy of Pregnancy, she tells you everything you need to know to have a happy, healthy pregnancy—without overwhelming you. Like a trusted friend, Tori guides you through the ups and downs of this time and encourages you to relax and to celebrate your pregnancy, instead of spending nine months worrying about what could go wrong.

Month-by-month, you’ll learn how your body and baby are changing as your pregnancy progresses, and what you need to know each step of the way. You’ll read Tori’s answers to real questions from expectant parents, and helpful checklists will make it easy to keep organized and get ready for the big day. There are even sections just for the dad-to-be to help him understand what you’re experiencing and offers ways that he can help. The Joy of Pregnancy is the only guide you’ll need by your side as your baby develops and you prepare to welcome him or her into the world!

About Tori Kropp

Tori Kropp, R.N., has delivered thousands of babies at the prestigious California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, where she has worked for nearly two decades. The birth process has been a fascination of Tori’s since childhood, and even as an experienced nurse, she still considers pregnancy care to be more of a passion than a career. After studying anthropology and psychology as an undergraduate at Michigan State University, she earned her nursing degree from Manatee College in Florida. Tori chose to work in perinatal nursing because it allows her to have a hands-on role in childbirth. An active member of the health care community, Tori is a member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, and the California Nurses Association.

In 1990, after observing that pregnant women were coming into the hospital more and more worried and anxious about labor, Tori founded a unique pre- and post-natal teaching program: PillowTalk, Modern Childbirth Education. Her strategy in these classes—teaching women not to overwhelm themselves with information and to focus instead on trusting their bodies and enjoying their pregnancies—was an instant success. In the mid 1990s, Tori used this same evenhanded, positive approach to pregnancy in founding Stork Site®, a community website for expectant and new parents. Bursting with activity, this site became one of the Internet’s first successful communities and later became a part of ivillage.com.

Known as “the Dear Abby of pregnancy,” Tori has been interviewed on national television and radio and in national print publications, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Washington Times, Atlanta Journal Constitution and Chicago Sun-Times. She lives in Marin County, California, with her family.