Brona: a memoir

by Mara Hill, Mirabai Starr (Foreword)

Mara Hill adores being a midwife. Each birth she's attended has shaped her, changed her, and made grow into the professional she is. She finally gets the chance to have her own child and is more than up to the task. Relishing and fantasizing about a beautiful homebirth with her fellow midwives she fights to protect her vision as her pregnancy goes long overdue. Tragedy strikes when her baby dies in early labor and she must deliver her son stillborn. Her life spirals down into the darkness leaving friendships, joy, and even her profession, by the wayside. Struggling with newly destructive tendencies and suicidal fantasies, Mara must fight to stay alive. In the end, she prevails by the sharing of love within the community of bereaved families and by the watchful, loving, eye of her husband.

This memoir provides a social commentary on the culture war on birth, but more importantly it gives a voice to the silent cries of mother's everywhere experiencing infant loss and unabashedly offers validation for the lives of their lost, cherished, children. It is raw, emotional, and even has a humorous side if a dry and dark one.*

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this beautiful book and I can honestly say I have never in my life read a more moving book. This woman so beautifully tells of her pregnancy and hopes and dreams that you are swept up into her life in a way that makes you feel like you are friends. The second half so accurately portrays exactly what it’s like to lose a child. If you ever wondered what I experienced, thought or felt, read this story. It’s like I wrote this book. This woman was able to document the change in life, the new person you become, what you experience and feel and the overwhelming heartache that lasts a lifetime. I have read a lot of posts, articles, blogs and books from fellow bereaved mothers but none as beautiful , accurate or moving as Brona. His life and story has changed me and I have never felt so much reading a book. Much love to Mara and Eli, Brona’s parents. I wish I didn’t know what it’s like but I do and I’m so glad you wrote this for other parents

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. it was moving and brutally honest.

[Tricia Halford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw. Heart-wrenching. Inspiring. A story of love. Thank you for sharing Brona with us, Mara. I am constantly amazed by the strong women that are a part of this community. Thanks for speaking out about child loss and sharing your story. There were parts that were as if I had written it myself and I know so many other parents who will feel the same. This book will also help others who have not experienced baby loss to better understand our grief by giving them a glimpse into our world.