Why Did No One Tell Me?: How to Protect Heal and Nurture Your Body Through Motherhood

by Emma Brockwell

***WINNER OF THE ACTIVE PREGNANCY FOUNDATION AWARDS 2023 'PRODUCT OF THE YEAR’***A reassuring, no-nonsense guide to caring for your body before, during and after giving birth. For too long, women have been told that debilitating conditions following pregnancy are normal, to be expected, and something to just put up with. Emma Brockwell is on a mission to change this. Having been through two difficult pregnancies herself, Emma combines her expertise as a specialist women’s health physiotherapist with personal experience to create a warm, honest, informative and essential handbook to help pregnant women and new mums take control and care for their changing bodies. Find out how your pelvic floor-Heal effectively from birth – both vaginal deliveries and caesarean sections-Tackle common - and TREATABLE - post-birth problems-Exercise safely after birthEvery woman has the right to be informed and this empowering guide gives you all the tools you need to look after your amazing body throughout motherhood.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2021

Reviews

[Andie Constantinides · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful book - will revisit after birth

[Anna Andrienko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Корисна інфа, стисла, але нема особливо сенсу читати поки не вагітний, бо мало що можна застосувати прямо одразу. Але загалом гарний посібник.

[Skuldintape · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful book, but it really irked me how the author used the word "tummy" to the exclusion of all others. Like we're literally being taught how to manually stretch our vaginas in preparation for birth, let's use a grown up word like stomach or abdomen at least occasionally.

[Celine Godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was asked about this book by a friend who was considering buying it during her fourth pregnancy. Obviously havng already gone through three pregnancies (with some complications such as gestational diabetes) and three natural childbirths, I didn't think there could be much for her left to learn. How wrong I was!

I ended up buying it for her as a gift before the publisher authorised my Netgalley copy and started to look through it. I couldn't stop reading though!!

Very easy to read, with diagrams, simple explanations and dealing with everything you don't know so don't know to ask about, I wish I'd had it before I gave birth 19 years ago. It has the feel of sitting down with your mum friends and having a good old, long and often humorous chat, over our changing bodies, pregnancy stories, birth and post birth stories. The best part about the book was the knowledge that you're not the only one feeling or going through such changes.

Lots of information about pregnancy stages, changes to expect, how to cope with pain or discomfort; how to prepare your mind and body (and your partner) for birth and parenthood. Plus what to expect physically after the birth in both the short and long term and things you can do to help healing and recovery.

What I liked best were the real stories and comments throughout. I'd recommend this book to anyone thinking of having a baby, especially first time. As I said I wish 'I'd had this before I had mine. Would make a good gift, especially from mums to daughters if mum is uncomfortable talking about such things - might even become an icebreaker.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really excellent, evidence-based guidance on pelvic floor and general childbirth issues around exercise, preparing your body for childbirth. I learned a lot that I’ll take into delivery with me! I’ve been attending prenatal Pilates and had a few sessions with a women’s health physio, they were invaluable. I wish it was more standard practice to see a physio during & after pregnancy. Lots of issues are common but not normal!! Don’t have to put up with things. I would really recommend this book, will be mentioning it to friends.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an experience and an excellent read, really enjoyed this book. I think its an important book that all new mothers, expecting and those wanting to be mothers soon should read, invest in a copy, I highly doubt you will regret it.
I certainly haven't.

Many thanks to Netgalley, publishers and Emma Brockwell for my free ARC, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have provided my honest review, in return, all opinions are my own.

[Romy Gue · Rating 3 out of 5]

The style of writing is quite repetitive. The book covers some useful topics but also clearly felt the need to “tick off” wider pregnancy issues which are covered much better in other books which detracted from the usefulness of the overall read. Helpful for pelvic floor awareness but dragged out by general commentary on pregnancy ailments unnecessarily.

[Rachael Toon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this postnatally after it was recommended by my postnatal physiotherapist. I really wish I had read it whilst pregnant so that I could have been better informed; even though I attended pre-natal classes there was a lot that no-one told me, as reflected in the title of this book! I’d recommend to all pregnant women, but especially those looking to return to exercise after birth.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a useful book, but not as detailed as I would have thought. Also not recommended to read in one sitting, as the amount of things that will hurt/ache/tear/change/grow/shrink/separate/throb/scar/transform is just a lot to take in one go... Nevertheless, one to revisit as things become relevant.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good information written by a runner on what to expect from your body during pregnancy and postpartum. Geared more towards people in the UK unfortunately the US doesn’t have all the same resources 😭

Will definitely be referencing this as I return to running & lifting postpartum.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely wish I had this one when I was having kids. Will put on the list for baby shower gifts!

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a physiotherapy student on a pelvic health placement. This book has been a valuable and easily digestible resource to introduce a topic that is sparsely covered in pre-reg degrees. Would very much recommend to any student or rotational physio who needs an obstetrics crash course!