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The Right Start

Annie Murphy Paul's informative cover article highlights the importance of caring for the emotional as well as the physical health of women during the perinatal period [Oct. 4]. To this end, we must integrate behavioral health into the training for and practice of obstetrics. We must also expand the access of mothers-to-be to quality behavioral-health experts who offer treatment options that complement obstetric care, from stress-reduction techniques to the identification of depression and anxiety disorders. As Paul's article underscores, the quality of care for pregnant women's bodies and minds has effects that may last for generations.

Drs. Frederic Kass and Mary E. D'Alton, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NEW YORK CITY

This is a wonderful article, but the field is not new--just renamed. The field of pre- and perinatal psychology became prominent in the late 1970s and early 1980s, buoyed by the seminal 1981 book by Thomas Verny, The Secret Life of the Unborn Child.

Jeane Rhodes, LAKEWOOD, COLO.

My first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage after a terrible emotional shock. Years later, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl after a stress-free, joyful pregnancy. I was glad to read that science is finally exploring the impact of emotions on a fetus.

Valerie Ackermann, LITTLETON, COLO.

The artful photo of the beautiful pregnant woman would be appropriate in another setting, but on the cover of TIME? Come on. This goes into the homes of families where the parents do not always get to the mailbox before the kids. This shows extremely poor judgment on the part of TIME.

Marj Price, COLORADO SPRINGS

Biting Humor

Re "This Really Sucks," about the resilience of bedbugs [Oct. 4]: I have subscribed to TIME since the 1950s and have prized the magazine's writing--not least your writers' humor and occasional capitulation to a good pun. So my plaudits to David Von Drehle for a most informative and well-researched article on bedbugs. I chuckled through his writing as I learned about the horrid critters.

Christine Cook, NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF.

Sixty years ago, as a teenager, I spent my summer vacation on my uncle's farm in the south of France. My bedroom got bedbugs. We sealed the window by gluing strips of newspaper around the frame. Then we put plates with sulfur powder on the floor. We sealed the door the same way we sealed the windows. My uncle lit the blue powder with long kitchen matches. After three days, the room was aired out. No more bugs. Employ at your own risk.

J.M. Gilly, DELRAY BEACH, FLA.

Ungodly Behavior