My current project, The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book (Yale University Press, March 2008) is in its final stages. The manuscript, tables, photos, and illustrations are completed, and the design team is working on putting it all together. After three years of work, I can't believe we are almost at the finish line!

You didn't know I was writing another book? Even though it has been in my thoughts every day years, I haven't written much about it yet on this blog. But the research I did for the book has certainly informed what I have talked about here.

The Working Woman's Pregnancy Book begins with making the decision to have a baby, getting pregnant, and common fertility problems, and then goes through each trimester of pregnancy, birth, and the first few months at home. It will be the only complete pregnancy guide written specifically for women who are dealing with pregnancy, maternity leave, breastfeeding, and early parenting in the context of holding a job. In addition to typical pregnancy subjects that should be useful for all mothers-to-be, I cover topics such as:

• Is my environment at work safe for my developing embryo?
• How can I manage nausea and vomiting while trying to work?
• When should I tell my boss that I am expecting?
• What laws govern my medical leave?
• Can I continue to breastfeed when I return to work?
• How do I keep some sort of balance in my life with a new baby at home?

My book also includes advice and anecdotes from interviews with over 100 working moms, from police officers to medical researchers. The quotes give the book a richness that wouldn't be possible without all these other voices.

I'd love to hear about your favorite pregnancy books and web resources, as well as the sources that disappointed or distressed you. And stories about working during pregnancy (whether funny, difficult, or terrific) are always welcome. We are thinking about who should be asked to write a "blurb" for the back cover, so if you have any suggestions, please add them. Even though I can't respond to all the comments you write, I read them all, and they affect my thinking about pregnancy and birth, how I counsel my patients, and what I write. Thanks!