cover image The Fourth Trimester: And You Thought Labor Was Hard... Advice, Humor, and Inspiration for New Moms on Surviving the First Six Weeks--And Be

The Fourth Trimester: And You Thought Labor Was Hard... Advice, Humor, and Inspiration for New Moms on Surviving the First Six Weeks--And Be

Amy Einhorn. Crown Publishers, $9.95 (96pp) ISBN 978-0-8129-9106-2

Coining a brand-new phrase, New York City book editor Amy Einhorn offers new moms advice for surviving their baby's first six weeks in The Fourth Trimester: And You Thought Labor Was Hard... Advice, Humor and Inspiration for New Moms on Surviving the First Six Weeks and Beyond. Her earthy wit is a refreshing change from the usual earnestness of child-rearing books. She's got plenty of tips on infant care yes, moms do have to take a baby's temperature rectally but also knows the mother has to take care of herself: ""Baby Gap credit works at the adult Gap, and you're going to need some in-between clothes to wear before you can fit into your old clothes."" On women who are still thin after childbirth, Einhorn is reassuring: ""Those people are mutations. They are not normal."" On having sex six weeks after giving birth, as recommended by most doctors: ""If you wait until you have enough energy, you're going to be a grandmother."" Agent, Victoria Sanders. ( May)