Bringing Forth Life

by Jodie McIver

Pregnancy and birth bring a whirlwind of change to a woman’s body, identity, life and relationships. This is a huge transition, filled with excitement, uncertainty and anxiety.

What exactly is going on in our bodies? How do we make decisions about pregnancy care and birth? What will life be like as parents? What if something goes wrong?

But beyond these physical and emotional challenges, there is something even deeper going on.

Bringing Forth Life offers a unique look at pregnancy, birth and life with a newborn, preparing readers physically, emotionally and spiritually for these experiences and the Christlike transformation they promise. Weaving biblical perspectives and real women’s experiences together with the down-to-earth insights of a midwife, this book guides women and those supporting them along their childbearing journey. Bringing Forth Life goes beyond standard birth books as it leans on the wisdom of the ultimate life-giver to reveal the wonder and purpose of pregnancy.

170 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Trish Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took my time reading through this book as prep for motherhood. Such a wonderful all rounder book in helping me to reflect and make connections with the medical side of pregnancy with God’s beautiful and purposeful creation of a woman’s body to bring forth life!

[Sarah Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so thankful this book has been written. It’s a pastorally sensitive, thoughtful book taking the reader through the ups and downs of pregnancy, birth and new parenthood. Jodie does a good job of combining research with her own experience as a midwife and mum and personal stories that cover the wide spectrum of human experience. I appreciated her handling of tricky topics and after two high risk pregnancies (I experience hyperemesis gravidarium myself, one of my children has a significant heart condition and then I had twins) I found chapter 5 - 7 particularly helpful to reflect on my own journey. Seeing this time of life as in God’s control and used by him to make us more like Jesus reshapes our perspective. I have gifted this to a friend who is a midwife and another who is pregnant and expect it to be a resource I use with many.

[Sharolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came upon this book title (at the Wandering Bookseller) by accident and was immediately drawn to it. I have had my four children so my pregnancy days are done, but I wanted to read it to add to my knowledge base, because I am passionate about all things birth and postpartum support and because I wanted to have it as a resource to loan to friends. It is full of practical information, but I was most drawn to the theological discussions around God and Jesus as both a mother and a woman in labour. These discussions were not new to me but laid out in a helpful way with some new connections. This was not something I heard about growing up in the church but since becoming a mother it seems so hugely important! What a unique (vital, cool, expansive…!) role and relationship women have (with our children, others and critically, with God!). The connections between a mothers painful, sacrificial love and that of Jesus were also helpful. Lots to think through. Would be wonderful to read as a book club with pregnant mums, using the discussion questions at the end of each chapter. I love having a new Aussie resource to recommend to Christian mums.

[Madeline Khu · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.
What Jodie says in her book is well done, but not quite as in depth as I maybe thought it would be. I enjoyed the theological thoughts around pregnancy and motherhood.

[Carole Worboys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of gentle encouragements and helpful perspectives. It's not an exhaustive book on pregnancy and motherhood, but I would gladly recommend to an expectant mum

[Rohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on pregnancy I've read yet. (Yup, our baby is due in June woot!)

I loved her theology of pregnancy that didn't just skip to the nativity, but went through how God cared for Israel even before the True Israel - i.e. Jesus - was born. And the great theological truth that just like with the cross pain brings forth life, that's the same for the pain of giving birth.

Also loved her helpful medical descriptions of the giving birth process, and how science points that more intervention doesn't actually lead to safer deliveries. And the importance of rest.

Highly recommend as a gift to anyone you know who is having a baby!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super great resource, very thorough yet easy to read. Exactly what I was looking for as I was stuck between the "medicalised" material philosophy of childbirth vs the other popular alternative of "new-agey" emotional and self-centred empowerment. Looking to God and submitting to His design is best, willing to imitate and point towards Christ in suffering for the sake of Bringing Forth Life.
Unfortunately I'm not super comfortable recommending it to many as I believe the immutability (changelessness) of God is compromised in points in the theological portion. Otherwise, a needed resource which I hope can be revised to be more consistent with the scriptural witness.

[Melissa Board · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful first book about what to expect.