ower of birth, and countless women long for it. But for too many, birth can seem like a purely clinical experience -- something to get through as quickly as possible in order to get on with the joys of being a mother.

In Made for This, author Mary Haseltine draws on Pope Saint John Paul II's Theology of the Body to show that birth is an essential part of who God created women to be, body and soul.

With real-life stories from many moms and practical tips -- including preparing for birth, making informed choices, helping fathers embrace their role in the birth room, and encountering the work of labor -- this book is an indispensable guide for navigating the physical and spiritual dimensions of pregnancy and birth. Expectant mothers will find the tools they need to approach birth as a gift, and to invite God into the experience.