If you haven’t figured out what to do with your library of prego books, here’s a suggestion. Don’t pass them on to your friend. Use them instead of a seat booster and go purchase Body, Soul, & Baby, the new pregnancy/new mom book from Dr. Tracy Gaudet, Director of Duke Medical School’s Department of Integrative Medicine.

But don’t just do it because I told you so. Do it because that’s pretty much what our twenty parent bloggers would tell you to do. The first set of bloggers enjoyed Dr. Gaudet’s approach — though fairly atypical from the vast majority of books out there. And the second set? Let’s check it out and see.

A pregnancy book with no agenda? Yes. It is totally possible. “Unlike other popular pregnancy books…, this book provides straightforward honest information with no agenda. Without being judgmental or preachy, Dr. Gaudet imparts wisdom and knowledge about how best to care for your body, mind and spirit during pregnancy to ensure your baby is as healthy as possible.” Other bloggers commented on her approach as well. “What I really like about Tracy Gaudet (M.D.!)’s Body, Soul, and Baby is that it takes a holistic approach to pregnancy: it doesn’t simply focus on the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, but it also forces the reader to reflect on changes in lifestyle, family structure, self-identification, and our mental states.”

One of our bloggers was so excited, she offered virtual kisses to the author.

First off, Tracy and Paula? If you are reading this, I want to kiss you for creating Body, Soul and Baby. It is refreshing to read a book that addresses not only the physical changes but the journey our souls undertake through this transition into motherhood. And I really like that the kind doctor (who’s also a mom) shows readers how to tune into our bodies and how to nurture the changing needs of our spirits without sounding like some flakey, nutjob who’s been slipping happy herbs into her granola.

While a few of our 2nd-time-around bloggers felt that they didn’t have enough time to enjoy all the exercises offered by Dr. Gaudet, they emphasized how great the book would have been for their first. “I enjoyed reading about the tools and Gaudet’s approach is certainly one I would have followed to the letter during my first pregnancy. I’d even recommend it to other soon-to-be-moms.”

Like our other skeptics, particularly those who tend to related Integrative Medicine (IM)with wheat grass and hypnosis, this book changed their mind — at least when it came to the role of IM in women’s health. “But the credentials of the author, Tracy Gaudet, were impressive - bona fide doctor! from Duke University’s School of Medicine! - and so because these things matterto me, I decided to give it a chance. If a real doctor - that is, not a graduate of the West Coast School of Alternative Hemp Therapies - can make a case for touchy-feely medicine, I’ll be sold.” Similar to our first set of bloggers, these bloggers found the idea of making the conscious choice to TTC an interesting concept. “I realized that there was something important to this idea. My husband and I have been ‘trying to conceive,’ but not very hard. It’s been a matter of simply throwing caution to the wind and not paying attention. Which means, really, that we haven’t been trying. Should this tell us something?”

And like our first set of bloggers, these folks took note at the extensive and thorough post partum section. As one mom put it, “Gaudet does a stand up job addressing postpartum issues…” That wasn’t the only section that caught this blogger’s eye. “This book gives the best and most comprehensive chapter on labor and delivery I’ve ever read.”

Similar to a previous reader, one blogger (who just had her baby!) felt as though Dr. Gaudet was a bit dismissive of midwifery. She did, however, feel that the book discussed all birthing options openly. “Every option is presented respectfully, a refreshing alternative to both the overly medicalized approaches to pregnancy and the scolding, holier-than-thou tones marring the alternative birthing movement. ”

One blogger noted that the only thing “standard” about this book is the organization by stages of pregnancy. “Unlike the standard books it focuses on meditation, reflection, observation, and other non-traditional ways of handling the changes that pregnancy brings. Gaudet also covers all the basics that you’ll read in conventional pregnancy books.” Another added, “It’s so rare to read a voice from the medical community that puts equal importance on what science has shown and what a mom feels and intuits. ”

Like many of the bloggers who read Body, Soul, & Baby, this blogger asked the big question. Where can we find an OB like Dr. Gaudet? — and offered this solution. “If I can’t find a doctor like Gaudet, at least I can hold her hardcover perspective in my hands.”

One blogger put it clearly:

I truly cannot say enough good things about this book. It provides in depth information about what is happening to the body during pregnancy. It addresses fears with useful information based on medical science as well as traditional wisdom. It provides real stories of real women who have experienced pregnancy.

Want to check this book out? Leave a comment and we’ll pick two winners at random on August 1 who will received an autographed copy of the book.