Fertile Ground: A Pilgrimage Through Pregnancy

by Laura S. Jansson

Pregnancy is not just a trek from one medical appointment to another but a journey of the heart. Here at last is a guidebook through its sacred terrain. For each week, Orthodox doula Laura Jansson provides a new reflection on a theme specific to the ground covered at that stage. From one milestone to the next, she helps us unearth the spiritual treasures buried within the physical experiences of childbearing. These are gifts of love from a merciful God who reaches out to us, making a perilous expedition into a path of salvation.

Genres: Parenting, Christian, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christianity, Family, Religion

320 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2019

About the author

Laura S. Jansson is an Orthodox Christian doula, childbirth educator and mother living and writing at the intersection of birth and faith. She earned her Masters degree in Theology and Philosophy from the University of Oxford (UK) and has also resided in the USA, Serbia, Germany, and Fiji. Since 2005 she has guided scores of expectant mothers on the path to parenthood, witnessing with wonder as bellies and souls grow along the way. Her book, Fertile Ground: A Pilgrimage Through Pregnancy (Ancient Faith Publishing 2019), is the first book for pregnant women arising from the Orthodox tradition.

Reviews

[Marian Kvamme · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023 - Second pregnancy update: Read it aloud with my husband this time. Still one of the best books ever! He loved it too.

2021 - One of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I started this book at Week 6 of my pregnancy and kept it as my constant weekly companion up until today as I read the final chapter at Week 37 of my journey. Each section proved itself accurate and applicable to my experiences each week. I am excited to, God-willing, revisit this book again during future pregnancies. It is so incredibly profound and eloquent. This book is a must-read for everyone - pregnant or not.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book 100 stars!
Beautiful, profound.

[Melissa Swistek · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Now that we have come to the setting of the sun, and behold the light of evening, we praise the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God. At all times you are worthy to be praised in song, O Son of God, giver of life. Wherefore the world glorifies you.”

As I finish this book, I am days (or weeks) away from completing my second pregnancy journey.

This was given to me by another mother which makes it a bit special as a gift. It is meant to be a companion throughout your pregnancy with each chapter correlating to the gestational weeks.

It felt like such a gem to find one of the few (only?) modern Orthodox books on pregnancy. Written by an Orthodox Christian doula, the chapters are intended to explore what a mother may be feeling at a given week and how it serves to point us back to Christ and life in the church. It provided something to look forward to each week and an excellent sanctified approach to female empowerment.

I would recommend this to any woman experiencing pregnancy or interested in the subject matter.

“That he will grant unto them the enjoyment of the blessing of children, and a blameless life, let us pray to the Lord.”

[Juliana Cardine]

I'm not going to rate this since I didn't finish it, but I definitely have thoughts. I generally force myself to finish books, but I couldn't get through this. I'm hesitant to say the book is "bad" because many women find it impactful, but I got absolutely nothing out of this. Each chapter lines up with a week of pregnancy. Jansson picks a theme and spends the chapter exploring it and making connections. I grasped the concept within the first page and the rest of the chapter felt like she was just rephrasing the same thing over and over. Her line-by-line writing is very pretty, but if I want pretty, I'll read poetry. I don't need a whole book to understand that pregnancy is special and wonderful.
.....I don't mean to bash it because obviously this book has benefited other women. I hope it continues to do so. Meanwhile, I'm looking to recommendations if anyone has any :)

[Anna Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

With each week of pregnancy, I appreciated this book more and more. Unlike some other books geared towards pregnancy, this one was unexpectedly rich and thought provoking. It gives such a beautiful, holy lens of the pilgrimage of pregnancy and entering into motherhood. Each chapter is worth rereading these last days or weeks of pregnancy.
Going to be my new favorite book to give to all pregnant friends!

[Raquel Iacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so incredible I don’t know where to start. You read one chapter through every week of your pregnancy, and it’s not just through faith but the author includes mental struggles, how different cultures approach certain aspects of pregnancy, and what’s going on physically. Reading it was almost like therapy every week for me. I read each chapter out loud to my husband to or from church usually. I cried in a lot of chapters. It was beautiful and emotional and educational. 5+++⭐️s.

[Juliana Kvamme · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there are a lot of physical things you can do to prepare for labor and birth, a lot of people say the most important thing to do is prepare mentally and spiritually. I don’t know if I would feel as calm or ready without this book! So beautiful and such a good reminder every week of what truly matters in pregnancy and birth. Everyone should read it!!

[Elizabeth Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t recommend this book enough! It was such a gift in my postpartum journey to be able to reflect, mourn, rejoice, heal, and embrace all that the ministry of motherhood is. There are a lot of voices saying what women’s roles are, let this be one that is heard!! Absolutely stunning.
This will be on my rereads!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An utterly beautiful book! Although my son is already nine years old, the messages and lessons contained in this book were still relevant to me - as indeed, receiving our children with hospitality never ends, no matter their age. I would have loved to have had this while pregnant, however. I could easily see this being a wonderful gift or title to add to one's own reading list for expectant mothers. I enjoyed the parallels between the physiological realities of pregnancy and the spiritual wisdom we have in the Orthodox church. Indeed, it also serves as a helpful refresher on so much of our theology. At the same time, it provides very helpful information on the biological processes happening in the body during pregnancy, delivery, postpartum, and breastfeeding. The combination of personal reflection, biology, and theology is a lovely meld. I am sure I will be flipping through it often to look for favorite gems and reminders. Even with an older child, so much of the ideas presented are still wonderful reminders-such as the pages on the many interruptions a baby brings to one's life. The interruptions still continue, and it's helpful to pause and consider the lessons there. I recommend this to all moms and am sure I will be giving it as a gift! Next, I'd love to see a similar book on Orthodox fatherhood! I did receive an advanced reading copy for my review, and I'm so glad I did!

[Elissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I have had six children, and don't plan to be pregnant again. As much as I wish I had this book during my pregnancies, I find that it's just as profound and wonderful to a woman who is ten years past that season of life. Laura Jansson is so eloquent, and expresses the deep spirituality of co-creating life with God beautifully. I love this book, and will re-read it and refer back to it often. Not only is it a wonderful set of reflections to inspire mothers to more profoundly experience the holiness of pregnancy, it presents a theology of motherhood worth study and consideration.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t say enough good things about this book. Hands down the best pregnancy book I’ve read. Any Christian should read this, Orthodox or not! It was such a beautiful reminder that pregnancy, birth, and motherhood are not just physical processes that we go through, but extremely spiritual journeys as well. To ignore this aspect is to ignore who we are. Loved this so much!

[Sarah DeNeui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura narrates her thought-provoking meditation for women with a tenderness and sensitivity which will speak to all listeners whether hoping to conceive, 15 weeks pregnant, post-pregnancy loss, or months (or years) postpartum. This is the book I wish I had read before the birth of my 1st child, but now 3 months after the birth of my 3rd baby, I have just finished it and want to start all over again. Laura's words stir women to embrace the feminine spiritual journey through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with all its challenges and mercies. She is theologically robust, wise, and poetic and writes with a winsome intelligence which will nourish both reader's hearts and minds. Amidst a cultural climate which seems torn between a kind of modern pagan worship of female fertility on one hand and feminist outrage against the injustice of pregnancy and motherhood on the other, Laura presents a paradigm which both honors the unique way in which Christ images Himself through motherhood and highlights the fierce strength, courage, and tenacity of women. This is a must-read for women of all ages and will be my go-to gift for expecting mothers. Read it!

[Vasilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can feel like a 21st century cliche to call something an inspiration but this book was a real light to me in my pregnancy. Before finding this book, I had read a lot of forums, midwives’ and labour nurse talks and books, and listened to doctors and obstetricians’ advice. I found this book gave me what all the others had been missing, in that the author knew and accepted my worries but also reminded me in a meaningful (and not dutiful) way to look beyond those anxieties to God. I also liked that her vision of pregnancy was also far reaching and discussed life with children as well - which realigns what you’re going through now with what is to come. I don’t know if that makes sense, but I know I really appreciated this book! Thank you to Laura Jansson :)

[Emma Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was extremely emotional finishing this book. I started reading it when I was just 5 weeks pregnant and now, even though I am SO ready to be done, it feels like something wonderful is coming to an end and that makes me sad.

The pages of this book are filled with so much gentle love and wisdom. I’m so grateful that I stuck with it, and am sure I’ll bring it back out for future pregnancies as well.

There’s a beautiful chapter at the end for women whose pregnancies ended in miscarriage or stillbirth. Several of my own friends have recently gone through miscarriage; reading that last chapter broke my heart and helped put their experiences into perspective. I can’t say enough good things about this book.

[Andreea Iord · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very original book on pregnancy. Not just a cold book with focus on the physical transformation. Pregnancy is more than that. It is also an emotional and spiritual transformation. The book - A mix of religion, medical information and personal experience. I recommend it to everyone interested on pregnancy.

[Mamma Björn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a particularly beautiful exploration of the divine mystery of bringing a new life into the world. Where other books will describe the physical journey, this describes the emotional and spiritual journey of pregnancy from an Orthodox Christian perspective. Great for first time mothers and mothers who have taken this journey before.

[Bianca Ammendola · Rating 5 out of 5]

One reading per week during pregnancy, written by an Orthodox doula. A great way for my partner and I to connect. He would read the chapter out loud to me at the start of each week. It was very powerful and we often ended up in tears. (He's Orthodox and we had a home birth, so it was a perfect balance of our values.)

[Arielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had the most beautiful reflections on pregnancy that I could have read! My husband and I read it every week together during this first pregnancy and it instilled such awe around the sacrament of birthing and bearing a child. It’s made me so humbled to be a mother.

An absolute must read ❤️

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sad to have finished this book, but I know I will read it again. It has been my companion throughout this (first) pregnancy, and it has given me a lot of food for thought for the journey. I recommend it not just for pregnant women, but all mothers with children of all stages and ages. I really liked how the author met the depth of the Orthodox Christian Faith with the depth of pregnancy. I didn’t realize pregnancy could be thought of at so deep a level. As I said, I will read this book again.

[Maria Parvulescu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely reflections on pregnancy week by week from an Orthodox Christian perspective. As a second time mom some of the reflections really hit home in a way they might not have during my first pregnancy.

[Sarah Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. I've been recommending it already. Great for a mom who wants to skip all the biological/scientific explanation of each week, and just meditate on the deeper meanings, for whatever reason. Love it. Considering starting it again now, and definitely will if we have a next pregnancy!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written and encouraging. A wonderul book to accompany through pregnancy. It kept me grounded spiritually during a sacred time. I want Jansson to write another book (about anything!) just so I can read her again.

[Emily Heckmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this during my pregnancy as a second time mother, this book hits the nail on the head while providing so many good reminders to prepare your heart for the newborn phase and for mothering your older children. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to anyone expecting!

[Georgiana Petrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

I used to read a chapter every week on sunday,which happened to be my changing week day,but unfortunately,I gave birth prematurely at 31+5.After that,I guess I had just a bitter taste reading it.But still,it is a very,very good book.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful, contemplative guide through 38 weeks of pregnancy from an Orthodox standpoint. I loved the meditations and questions the author posed. Helped me think through the miracle occurring in my womb.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful spiritual guide through pregnancy.

[Annie Kell · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best book I've read on pregnancy. Laura is an Eastern Orthodox doula who approaches pregnancy uses Scripture, tradition, and the church Fathers. Highly recommend.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic meditation through an Orthodox Christian perspective. I read it weekly to my wife, and babánk, and I think we all grew a lot

[Geneva Jael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book led me through my pregnancy and allowed me to focus on the spiritual aspects and placed my fears on God. It has helped to create a confident mother out of me.

[Robin Levy · Rating 1 out of 5]

You do not need anything in this book.