Life After Birth: A Guide to Prepare, Support and Nourish You Through Motherhood

by Jessica Prescott, Vaughne Geary

Life After Birth is your essential guide to the wide and diverse spectrum of motherhood.

In this companion, Jessica Prescott and Vaughne Geary share their evidence-based approach to the lost but ever important art of caring for yourself as a mother, including recipes from their postpartum food delivery service Mama Goodness. They cover everything from herbal wisdom and nutritional support, to sleep and breastfeeding tips, communication tools, managing siblings, how to nourish your body, parent on your period, and so much more.

A stunning hardback with full color photography, Life After Birth will help you prepare, not just for the first six weeks following your birth, but for the months and years that follow. By tuning into your body, nourishing it, celebrating it and honoring the cyclical nature of womanhood, this book will help you thrive in your new role as a mother.

Genres: Parenting

240 pages, Hardcover

Published February 21, 2023

Reviews

[Lauren Doopy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m pregnant with my first and this book was full of useful information across a broad range of topics. It’s easy to digest from start to finish and the photography and other images are all beautiful. Will be buying as gifts for other mums 110%. I love the focus on the mental health of the mother and what sort of emotions you can expect and why. The 3 pages on how a co-parent can help are fantastic!

[Laura Fudim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a doula with over 75 books on birth and postpartum in my library, I can still easily say that Life After Birth is in the top 5.
This is a fantastic resource for all entering the birth journey and entry into motherhood or mama-of-more.

6 stars!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read compilation of advice on a variety of topics to do with the post-partum period. But, despite being pregnant with my first child, none of the information felt 'ground breaking'. I've seen similar information in other places or a lot seemed common sense.

[Megan Moczygemba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read while postpartum although I wish I would have read it during pregnancy! It covers a wide range of topics and has delicious recipes in the back. I would recommend, especially to first time moms.

[Anlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally found the one book I am comfortable (and excited about) gifting to my pregnant friends. There are lots of great ones out there, but I respect that not everyone wants or can read multiple books. (And also, it's common to spend a lot of energy on preparing for birth but not necessarily what comes after). What's great about this one is it covers the most up-to-date and nuanced topics in postpartum and bridges into early parenting as well, and it's meant to be read in preparation. I seriously haven't come across a book yet that does that so well. Not to mention, it's beautifully designed and photographed -- you want to read it. (Of course, The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother is great but again, not as comprehensive). And there are some lovely recipes (although stocking the postpartum pantry/fridge with kangaroo meat -- the authors are Australian doulas after all -- might not be so universal).

Also great postpartum reading (these zero in more on nutrition and/or physical/emotional/holistic recovery):
- The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality
- The Postnatal Depletion Cure: A Complete Guide to Rebuilding Your Health and Reclaiming Your Energy for Mothers of Newborns, Toddlers, and Young Children
- Your Postpartum Body: The Complete Guide to Healing After Pregnancy

[Kate Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the sound of this book when I preordered it and knew it was perfect for me and what I wanted to read during pregnancy when I saw Jessica and Vaughne chat about it at their book launch. I’m currently pregnant with my second baby, and this is the book that I wished I’d read with my first. I didn’t know that preparing for postpartum was as important, if not more than preparing for birth. As this book states ‘postpartum is forever’.
I would say this book is perfect for any mum/parent (I’ll be getting my partner to read it too) whether you have birthed before or not. There’s heaps of helpful tips and information (such as booking an ibclc for the first week-definitely wish I’d done that with my first!), and recipes to fill your freezer with or share with loved ones. This is a book I will be buying my friends during pregnancy.

[Alyssa Hannigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad this book exists. Very practical and helpful to read as a first time mom to be, as this book speaks to the fourth trimester and beyond, while many books I have been reading during pregnancy simply end with childbirth. Reading this made me feel like there is a version of motherhood I could lean into that is less pressured/perfected and more intuitive/relaxed. This book will definitely stay out in the open for reference in the coming months!

[Felicity · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for any new mother. I was so excited to receive this book and gosh I was not expecting such a fantastic book. So much thought has gone into writing this book. It's easy to read and has lots of easily digestable information, perfect for a sleep deprived mother. As a birth worker I will be adding another copy to my library for my clients. Love it.

[Darby DeBonis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kind and peaceful resource for people who are either becoming or are already mothers. I came across this in a local gift shop and wanted it for my cousin who is expecting her first. I think everything soon-to-be mom deserves the outright acknowledgment of the radical transformation that occurs in yourself (and your partner) when you bring life into the world. Well researched and delivered.

[Tess · Rating 5 out of 5]

if I could recommend one book and one book only for new parents; it is this one. Filled with the information you want and need, some chuckles, warmth, and easy easy recipes in the last section that as they say, "can be made with a baby on your hip".

[Katharine Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best postpartum book out there. Practical, insightful and thought provoking across all important topics. 5 months postpartum, we continue to use these delicious recipes in our weekly meal planning. Highly recommend.

[Grayson Fenton-Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unexpectedly a great read. I picked it up at my local library and read it in less than two days. It's the type of book that I will probably go out and buy now because I feel like it would be a great resource to go back to at different stages throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

[Kim Tee Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful look at all this pregnancy and post partum. It's real and honest and I wish I had access to some of this information with my first child. Recipes are delicious too.

[Rachel Mellema · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very practical, more art than book though.

[Alisha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing resource to prepare mums for the postpartum journey - recovery and beyond!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jessie Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for new moms, and easy to read even when sleep deprived

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️