Life After Birth

by Kate Figes

Few women are prepared for the radical shifts in identity, emotional intensity, and changes in relationships that can occur following the birth of a child. This fully revised and updated guide explores the actual physical, psychological, and emotional consequences of giving birth and offers reassuring tips and helpful information to new mothers. Drawing on medical and historical research as well as personal testimonies, it tackles the realities of a mother’s life with compassion, understanding, and inspirational advice.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Feminism, Sociology

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 30, 2000

Reviews

[Julie]

What a great book! I think some people may find it depressing or dark (because it departs from our widespread cultural values/fantasies/ideals of the archetypal mother & infant spending their days together in blissful harmony) but I thought it presented a very realistic and honest discussion about the challenges (and joys- she gets to those near the end) of parenthood. I am impressed that she so accurately describes many aspects of this experience and explains why it is so exhausting, what happens to our relationships with other people, and what it means for us as individuals. There were so many passages I wanted to jot down because they so perfectly captured parenting's essence and resonated with me. I'd recommend this for new parents, parents-to-be, and anyone else interested in the topic.

[Blueberry]

At the beginning of the book, there's so much about the history of motherhood & especially post-partum-ness that I gobbled up greedily and quickly! Then, when I was too exhausted 3 nights in a row to finish the chapter called "Exhaustion", something also happened to my ability to finish the last third of the book. I got pretty tired of the writing style. However, I would reccommend this for all new parents (new moms especially) and all of those who know new moms. This book actually made me think about how I hadn't been taking care of myself--so obsessed with baby Finn--and that I needed to take iron supplements and continue to focus on recovering from birth. Birth takes a long time to recover from and it's okay. Yeah!

[Vicky Ashwell]

By far the best book I have read so far for first time mum's. Thoroughly researched each chapter looks at a different issue faced by first time Mum's. The structure is basically the same for each chapter: the issues generally faced, the various ways this can make you feel, the history and reasons behind this, what you can do to help yourself and finally encouragement that you will come through the other side and if you find this aspect tough it really will get better.

Very informative and positive without sugar coating the issues, I would highly recommend reading this book.

[Frangipani]

I read this book as part of my preparation for becoming a parent for the second time. I wanted as much information as possible. Although this book alternately enraged me and reassured me I would still recommend it. Everyone's experience is different, and the author pays only lipservice to this concept IMHO.

[Teresa]

The book contains tons of factual information, about the history of motherhood up to our modern day vision of what motherhood should be. I enjoyed all the information like others have said it is a bit on the dark side and meant to reassure you that if you aren't enjoying every moment of this experience you are not the first to encounter health, emotional and other difficulties.

[Cheryl Griffith]

I always thought Motherhood would come naturally for me. When I had a hard time with my new role, I was surprised. This book touched on every aspect I was having a hard time with, it helped me work through it, and see motherhood in a new light. For anyone with post-traumatic stress or postpartum depression, this is the book I'd recommend.

[Zoe]

This book is quite British, no-nonsense, and funny. It's a very realistic, unromantic view of what it's like to be a mother. I especially love Chapter Nine: "Friends And The Outside World." I wish I had read it as a young woman who totally romanticized motherhood.

[Michele]

This book can be summarised in one key line which unfortunately doesn't come until page 143: "Perhaps I am my own worst enemy." Provoked a few thoughts, almost all of them about how my life is very different from the model that the author is working from.

[Ang]

Maybe because I'm not a mother? I don't know, but I thought this was repetitive and a little....off in tone. Maybe because I'm not British? Either way, if you feel like you need reassurance after baby, you could give this a try. I don't love it, though, and I won't recommend it to new mom friends.

[Elyssa]

This book is really accurate and it continues to frustrate me that the challenging realities of becoming a parent are not discussed more openly.

[Manuel Valencia]

GREEAAT

[Alaxeria]

Even though nothing can prepare you for life after birth.. it makes you feel better prepared at the least. mentally.

[Soumiya Hussain]

The harsh truth about life after delivering a child

[Sugar]

Very good. A must-read for any woman. Well-researched, sociological insights based on interviews by the author and her personal added. Sometimes contradictory, but I suppose that's life.

[Ms.soule MY ONLY PROFILE]

I wish I had read this before having my first child!

[Sarah Hamilton]

Excellent.

[Barbc]

8