This book describes the results of the authors' NIH-funded study of more than 200 women during pregnancy and postpartum. Their Theory of Adaptation during Childbearing, presented in the book and derived from the Roy Adaptation Model, views this period as a time of profound change requiring considerable adaptation. Many aspects of pregnancy and postpartum are discussed, including physical and psychosocial health, functional status, and family relationships. Implications for nursing practice, and recommendations are included. This book was written for nursing and medical students, maternal-child health nurses, midwives, and social workers, obstetricians, pediatricians, and policy makers.