Unexpected: A Postpartum Survival Guide

by Erin Stevens MD, Lisa Troutman (Illustrator)

Your postpartum body is a wonderland-as in Alice in Wonderland, where things can grow and shrink and become curiouser and curiouser. We all know what goes into preparing for a baby, but how does a pregnant person prepare for what happens to their body and mind postpartum? Life after delivery is veiled in secrecy by cute little bows and animal-themed burp cloths, leaving people dangerously in the dark about which postpartum issues are normal or concerning. In Unexpected , OB/GYN Dr. Erin Stevens sets the record straight about what happens to postpartum bodies, no matter their gender identity, delivery outcome for themselves or the baby, or parenting status. From vaginal stitches to your first postpartum poop, Stevens walks you through warning signs from your body, questions to ask a healthcare professional, and supplies to build your own home postpartum survival kit. With advice on topics including breastfeeding and formula-feeding, exercise, and sexual activity, as well as resources to support your mental health and other needs, Unexpected illuminates even the darkest secrets of what happens to people postpartum.

192 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2020

Reviews

[Jayme Frommelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by my OB and has answered so many of my questions in my first week and a half postpartum! 5 stars for being easy to read and incredibly helpful and informative!

[Katie Tjader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended! This is the perfect reference guide. A book that you can easily turn to to answer questions on every part of postpartum. Love that she included a recap at the end of each chapter on things to be concerned about, questions you can ask your healthcare provider, and supplies to buy to help you prepare for certain things you may/will go through. I also appreciated the guide at the end that listed out where to direct your questions- to your OBGyn, pediatrician or lactation consultant. Adding this book to all my future baby shower gifts!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, informative, and VERY inclusive of the postpartum spectrum. Glad a friend sent it to me to read before baby is born. Even if I hadn’t, it’s set up in a easy to navigate way so that even a sleep deprived person could make great use of it.

[Lacy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t get past the first page. The fact that “mother” and “mom” will not be used in this book is an absolute JOKE.