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The Pregnancy Experience
In 2023, there were about 368,000 births daily in the world. With today's scientific competencies, every single one of those people was birthed by a woman. So why is there still so much mystery involved in the process? Your body is hardwired to do this, but that doesn't mean you have any idea what you're about to go through.
Why did I not know what to mentally prepare myself for during the growth and delivery of my baby? Why did I have no idea what would happen to me at the hospital? Why did I think my body was done with "baby things" after forty weeks? Why has the normal for advice passed down woman to woman about pregnancy become "Yes, it'll hurt, but you don't remember that in the end" or four-hundred-plus-page books that take forever to read and are more biology than helpful tips? And why have we, as a society, written that off as okay?!
We would never expect someone to go into a new job with little to no instruction. And when a new employee asks hard-hitting questions in detail and points out faults in the process for correction, we give them an award; we don't pointedly avoid their questions and tell them this is how things are. So why are so many women expected to go into the hospital blind, not having any idea what to expect during their delivery besides you push and a baby pops out?
You are going through a fast-paced, life-altering experience, so you need a fast-paced guide on what to expect for the near future and what you should know to expect from your body and mind during this wonderful experience. The birth of my child was fully worth everything I went through in this book; however, I could have experienced less fear, anxiety, and emotional strain with my husband during my pregnancy had I known what to expect and prepare for from preconception to postbirth normalcy.
Why did I not know what to mentally prepare myself for during the growth and delivery of my baby? Why did I have no idea what would happen to me at the hospital? Why did I think my body was done with "baby things" after forty weeks? Why has the normal for advice passed down woman to woman about pregnancy become "Yes, it'll hurt, but you don't remember that in the end" or four-hundred-plus-page books that take forever to read and are more biology than helpful tips? And why have we, as a society, written that off as okay?!
We would never expect someone to go into a new job with little to no instruction. And when a new employee asks hard-hitting questions in detail and points out faults in the process for correction, we give them an award; we don't pointedly avoid their questions and tell them this is how things are. So why are so many women expected to go into the hospital blind, not having any idea what to expect during their delivery besides you push and a baby pops out?
You are going through a fast-paced, life-altering experience, so you need a fast-paced guide on what to expect for the near future and what you should know to expect from your body and mind during this wonderful experience. The birth of my child was fully worth everything I went through in this book; however, I could have experienced less fear, anxiety, and emotional strain with my husband during my pregnancy had I known what to expect and prepare for from preconception to postbirth normalcy.
160 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2024
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October 3, 2024
There are plenty of books that cover the physical body aspects of preparing for a baby's arrival during pregnancy. This book is a refreshing addition to the narrative on pregnancy by touching on the social and emotional realities and eventualities of pregnancy and the postpartum period. There are some great tips for setting boundaries and getting in front of difficult or uncomfortable communication before it becomes postpartum hormone-filled rage, depression, or both.
Nelson includes her own personal experiences and helpful anecdotes of navigating changes to her body, her marriage, and her relationships with people around her during pregnancy and postpartum. She also includes birth stories from five different moms at the close of the book, which illustrate the variety of experiences and choices that come with delivery. I found these particularly comforting, encouraging, and informative. Overall, I think this book is a worthwhile read and important addition to the way we talk about and think about pregnancy and postpartum life.
Nelson includes her own personal experiences and helpful anecdotes of navigating changes to her body, her marriage, and her relationships with people around her during pregnancy and postpartum. She also includes birth stories from five different moms at the close of the book, which illustrate the variety of experiences and choices that come with delivery. I found these particularly comforting, encouraging, and informative. Overall, I think this book is a worthwhile read and important addition to the way we talk about and think about pregnancy and postpartum life.
Displaying 1 of 1 review