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Expecting with Hope: Claiming Joy When Expecting a Baby After Loss
A compassionate, thoughtful reminder of God's promises for joy and peace after loss "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." -Isaiah 26:3 When 31 percent of pregnancies end in loss, it is no surprise that miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss brings great grief, nor is there a shortage of books addressing how to move through and past that sorrow. What is seldom considered, however, is that 85 percent of those women go on to become pregnant again-yet the complexity of emotions triggered by a pregnancy following loss is rarely addressed. With this book, Teske Drake challenges women to claim joy in the midst of grief when newly expecting, and shows them just how to accomplish that. Centered on biblical promises like the one above, and focused specifically around promises of "peace," this book is a practical guide written by a mother who’s been there. Drake acknowledges the torrent of anxiety that replaces the natural joy pregnancy can bring. She avoids painful clichés and works instead to unearth deeper truths. Her tone is gentle, caring, and compassionate, drawing women back to a place of peace and joy, both with God and with their current pregnancy. This ten-chapter book includes accompanying devotions, "Pregnancy Prayers," personal anecdotes from other mothers who've experienced similar loss, and "Pen the Promise" journaling prompts to encourage personal application of the promises Drake reveals. She constantly drives the reader back to Scripture, sharing not only promises given, but promises fulfilled. Women are offered practical information, as well as encouragement and inspiration. With Expecting with Hope , Drake provides a deeply needed space for expectant mothers to rediscover the joy and peace of pregnancy.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Teske Drake
3 booksTeske Drake is mommy to three babies in heaven, mom to two on earth. She is the cofounder of Mommies with Hope, a biblically based support group for women who have experienced infant loss (mommieswithhope.com), and the author of Hope for Today, Promises for Tomorrow.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 8, 2014
I read this book in exchange for honest review from Kregel Blog Tours/Kregel Publications.
The back of the book, first line, It takes a lot of courage to pick up this book. It takes a lot of courage to read and review this book. The book teaches about finding joy in pregnancy after a miscarry, a stillbirth, or infant loss.
I am not sure how I found my joy when I was pregnant with Kalen. I knew I did not want another miscarry. I did not have the mental capacity to handle another loss, which is why I am so protective of him now. Kalen has Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Global Development Delays, and Static Encephalopathy. Static Encephalopathy simply means breath holding spells.
When Kalen gets agitated, he goes into silent cries and then passes out. The disorder affects his brain and heart. He visits his neurologist and cardiologist every 6 months. If the frequency of attacks increase, Kalen will get another 24 hour holter. If they continue, he will have surgery to install a temporary, 3-year heart monitor, which has high risks.
I face fear and worry when it comes to him on a regular basis. He had a spell yesterday. His brother took something away from him. He came back to in seconds, but what if it was never.
The book discusses how God has a purpose in everything. I learned from the two miscarries, not to have sex with just any man. Just any man is not going to be there for you when you are going through something. I learned from miscarry #2 to have sex less. #2 helped start my journey into celibacy. I know that if my baby girl had lived, Kalen would not be born. I don't see myself with a houseful of kids, definitely not 4.
I also appreciate both of my kids more. Getting to do the things, I missed with Brad because I worked, I went to school, or when his father had primary custody for 5 years. I also had so much peace during pregnancy with Kalen because I did not bother with anyone. I was not having sex. I stayed at home.
One thing, which stood out the most was on page 27: You don't have to know what the future looks like because you can trust in the one who's ordained it. This requires faith and obedience to God.
You can read the full review at http://sdwperfectchaos.blogspot.com/2...
The back of the book, first line, It takes a lot of courage to pick up this book. It takes a lot of courage to read and review this book. The book teaches about finding joy in pregnancy after a miscarry, a stillbirth, or infant loss.
I am not sure how I found my joy when I was pregnant with Kalen. I knew I did not want another miscarry. I did not have the mental capacity to handle another loss, which is why I am so protective of him now. Kalen has Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Global Development Delays, and Static Encephalopathy. Static Encephalopathy simply means breath holding spells.
When Kalen gets agitated, he goes into silent cries and then passes out. The disorder affects his brain and heart. He visits his neurologist and cardiologist every 6 months. If the frequency of attacks increase, Kalen will get another 24 hour holter. If they continue, he will have surgery to install a temporary, 3-year heart monitor, which has high risks.
I face fear and worry when it comes to him on a regular basis. He had a spell yesterday. His brother took something away from him. He came back to in seconds, but what if it was never.
The book discusses how God has a purpose in everything. I learned from the two miscarries, not to have sex with just any man. Just any man is not going to be there for you when you are going through something. I learned from miscarry #2 to have sex less. #2 helped start my journey into celibacy. I know that if my baby girl had lived, Kalen would not be born. I don't see myself with a houseful of kids, definitely not 4.
I also appreciate both of my kids more. Getting to do the things, I missed with Brad because I worked, I went to school, or when his father had primary custody for 5 years. I also had so much peace during pregnancy with Kalen because I did not bother with anyone. I was not having sex. I stayed at home.
One thing, which stood out the most was on page 27: You don't have to know what the future looks like because you can trust in the one who's ordained it. This requires faith and obedience to God.
You can read the full review at http://sdwperfectchaos.blogspot.com/2...
November 13, 2015
I received this book from Goodreads and in exchange for an honest review...
This book is a MUST for anyone who is going through this unfortunate event. It is peaceful, helpful, and takes a very unique viewpoint on guiding someone through this tragedy. It is an excellent read and I highly recommend it!
This book is a MUST for anyone who is going through this unfortunate event. It is peaceful, helpful, and takes a very unique viewpoint on guiding someone through this tragedy. It is an excellent read and I highly recommend it!
March 24, 2019
This is a beautiful book filled with compassion and understanding from a woman who has been in the ugly places of miscarriage and infant loss. I was so encouraged by this read.
April 9, 2025
This is more of an eisegesis scripture study. I also didn't realize there was a forward by Michelle Duggar and that was a big turn off since I know I don't align with her biblical views.
November 7, 2014
I need to clarify that, even though I am reading this book, I am most assuredly not expecting!!! I’m a grandmother and I am completely in another season of my life. Yet, I wanted to read this book for many reasons. At times I have helped women who have experienced the loss of a child and I expect it might happen again. So I wanted to learn from someone who knew what it was first hand, having been through it personally. I have not lost a child, but I don’t think this disqualifies one to be compassionate and helpful to another’s need.
Teske Drake is most definitely a woman of faith, courage and compassion. She has been through the loss of not one child but three! As she says, she is the mom of 5 children: three who are already with the Lord and two who are living with her. She clearly says it’s hard, there are days when the miscarriage, the emotions and all the pain are still very real. But there is hope because, like she so well underlines, God’s Word is still real and very relevant despite the circumstances of our lives.
I was particularly touched by how she takes the time to underline the different perspective one might have after a miscarriage and then being pregnant again. This is not something you would think of when you’ve never had a miscarriage before. This might not come to one’s mind if one has not been through that experience, but fear as she says, is your most likely acquainted companion. On the other hand one who never had a miscarriage will be filled with joy and excitement! Yet once again Drake gently brings us to look to Christ to be fearless in Him because of all he has accomplished for us at the cross.
You can see all through her book that this is a woman who has suffered and has been scared deeply by much pain from deep loss. Yet beyond that, what stands out strongly and boldly is how God has been her strength in and through it all. He has built her up through these hardships. She has leaned on her Redeemer and built her life on His promises to enable her to be useful to others. And she is!
This book is a great tool to help women who find themselves pregnant after going through a miscarriage and are facing fears of losing their child once again. She helps you by using the Word of God as the foundation, plus inspiring true stories, including hers, to have hope in God, and faith that He knows you and loves you.
I especially love that she doesn’t allure to the fact that God promises to make everything “right” or “fix all” but that God is our peace, our refuge, our sustainer and He is in control of everything no matter what it looks or feels like for now. Drake constantly takes us back to many of God’s promises from the Word. She uses Scripture a lot to encourage women, which is fundamental because, as we know, when discouragement or sorrow attains us it is easy to believe lies. Only the truth of the Word can set us free!
Here are a couple of examples she uses:
The promise of His presence, Deuteronomy 31.6
The promise of His Strength, Philippians 4.13
The promise of His Hope, Hebrews 10.23
The promise of His Joy, Romans 15.13
I found this book to be very useful and encouraging. Granted if I was the one grieving after a miscarriage I surely would have found it harder to read. Still her style is very gentle, compassionate and extremely heartfelt. You can sense that this woman has lived what she is writing about. She’s left the scent of her wounds all over the pages of this book! It’s a book filled with a mother’s love for her loved ones… 3 she can’t wait to see in heaven.
Ann L Beaulieu
I have received a free copy by Kregel Publications. However I am under no obligation to write a positive review. These are entirely my own personal opinions and thoughts expressed according to my own discernment.
Teske Drake is most definitely a woman of faith, courage and compassion. She has been through the loss of not one child but three! As she says, she is the mom of 5 children: three who are already with the Lord and two who are living with her. She clearly says it’s hard, there are days when the miscarriage, the emotions and all the pain are still very real. But there is hope because, like she so well underlines, God’s Word is still real and very relevant despite the circumstances of our lives.
I was particularly touched by how she takes the time to underline the different perspective one might have after a miscarriage and then being pregnant again. This is not something you would think of when you’ve never had a miscarriage before. This might not come to one’s mind if one has not been through that experience, but fear as she says, is your most likely acquainted companion. On the other hand one who never had a miscarriage will be filled with joy and excitement! Yet once again Drake gently brings us to look to Christ to be fearless in Him because of all he has accomplished for us at the cross.
You can see all through her book that this is a woman who has suffered and has been scared deeply by much pain from deep loss. Yet beyond that, what stands out strongly and boldly is how God has been her strength in and through it all. He has built her up through these hardships. She has leaned on her Redeemer and built her life on His promises to enable her to be useful to others. And she is!
This book is a great tool to help women who find themselves pregnant after going through a miscarriage and are facing fears of losing their child once again. She helps you by using the Word of God as the foundation, plus inspiring true stories, including hers, to have hope in God, and faith that He knows you and loves you.
I especially love that she doesn’t allure to the fact that God promises to make everything “right” or “fix all” but that God is our peace, our refuge, our sustainer and He is in control of everything no matter what it looks or feels like for now. Drake constantly takes us back to many of God’s promises from the Word. She uses Scripture a lot to encourage women, which is fundamental because, as we know, when discouragement or sorrow attains us it is easy to believe lies. Only the truth of the Word can set us free!
Here are a couple of examples she uses:
The promise of His presence, Deuteronomy 31.6
The promise of His Strength, Philippians 4.13
The promise of His Hope, Hebrews 10.23
The promise of His Joy, Romans 15.13
I found this book to be very useful and encouraging. Granted if I was the one grieving after a miscarriage I surely would have found it harder to read. Still her style is very gentle, compassionate and extremely heartfelt. You can sense that this woman has lived what she is writing about. She’s left the scent of her wounds all over the pages of this book! It’s a book filled with a mother’s love for her loved ones… 3 she can’t wait to see in heaven.
Ann L Beaulieu
I have received a free copy by Kregel Publications. However I am under no obligation to write a positive review. These are entirely my own personal opinions and thoughts expressed according to my own discernment.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews