Labor Like A Goddess: A Fearless Guide to Preparing for the 7 Gates of Transformation in Pregnancy and Birth

by Alexandria Moran, Lauren Mahana

Written by two birth doulas and intuitive healers, this book tells the metaphorical story of a fictional goddess who must walk through 7 Gates of Transformation in order to become a Mother. At the final gate, she must surrender to the ultimate sacrifice—spiritual death—so she can be reborn into motherhood. Each gate perfectly illustrates the 7 emotional, psychological, and often subconscious sacrifices that every laboring woman experiences, whether willingly or not. This book is a guide to help pregnant women understand birth as a divine journey and master how to walk through each gate with empowered sacrifice, purpose, and zeal through tools, rituals, and integrative practices.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2019

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down best book I have ever read on labor preparation, and I’ve read many. It helped me process some of my feelings from my previous two births and feel more prepared for the unknowns of this third experience. I think every birthing person should read this, because it doesn’t beat around the bush about the intense physical, emotional, and spiritual sensations that are a part of this process, which our culture tries to avoid discussing. We need to discuss it! Doing this emotional prep work can help you feel empowered.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who works in the field of healthcare, specifically in the baby birthing areas of the hospital, I was extremely pleased to find a book that helps moms-to-be prepare for the transition to motherhood emotionally and spiritually, without setting unrealistic expectations for the birth interventions.

This book is definitely on the witchy-woo spectrum so some may find that a little off-putting. As someone who is definitely into that though that was a plus for me.

My only (very small) caveat with this book is the authors do make minor references to the "business of birthing" and the implication that obstetricians and nurses will perform interventions because they are more profitable. I have never seen this be the case- the actual, sad truth is that at least in the US healthcare providers make decisions based on risk aversion due to the incredible risk of litigation in obstetric care. I'm still giving this book 5 stars despite this small gripe of mine because everything else was just about perfect.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

100000 star recommendation!!

Every expectant mother should read this complete gem of knowledge. I can’t rate it high enough and will be recommending it to all birthing mothers in the future. Thank you for for sharing your wisdom xx

[Kema Speed]

good!

[China LeMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely incredible

a mixture of mythology, story telling, facts and advice to help a woman create her own birth experience. it brings (and aims to protect) the magic back into one of life’s most magical experiences