"The body forgets pain, she said. Otherwise women would only have one child. Is it true? Has my body forgotten?" "Few experiences are as powerful, as deeply poetic, as childbirth. Many poets have written powerfully about it; I think of Gabriela Mistral, of Sharon Olds, of Martha Silano. Jessica Bates writes in that great tradition. In her keen eye, "every tummy ripple gets attention"; she is rapt in the face of "this wild thing that came from" her body. Birth is messy, and Bates doesn't blush or flinch when describing the blood and goo of her lived experience. This is the poetry of "a glistening goddess, naked and pacing."" - Tom C. Hunley, author of PLUNK and THE STATE THAT SPRINGFIELD IS IN "This beautiful book of poetry fell into my lap just very recently. I was nursing my youngest son who is 22 months old reading a poem on weaning. The emotions that overcame my soul I'm not yet able to articulate, but I knew instantly I needed more. I am so incredibly thankful to have found this work of art. Breastfeeding and motherhood changes us in our core and we are all connected in this way. This is an amazing gift for any mama you know." - Barbara Demske, from The First Latch's 2017 Holiday Gift Guide Birth & motherhood transform us. They shake our foundation with sacred, unconditional love. These 56 poems reflect on birth, death, motherhood, family, breastfeeding, raising children, confronting fears, and feeling joy in a fleeting moment. A perfect gift for a new or seasoned mother, and also a great read for those of us who aren't mothers. Birth is universal; birth is miraculous. Birth is a roaring power.

A widely acclaimed young writer's fierce new novel, in which childbirth and new motherhood are as high-stakes a crucible as any combat zone.

A raw, funny, and fiercely honest account of becoming a mother before feeling like a grown up. When Meaghan O'Connell got accidentally pregnant in her twenties and decided to keep the baby, she realized that the book she needed -- a brutally honest, agenda-free reckoning with the emotional and existential impact of motherhood -- didn't exist. So she decided to write it herself. And Now We Have Everything is O'Connell's exploration of the cataclysmic, impossible-to-prepare-for experience of becoming a mother. With her dark humor and hair-trigger B.S. detector, O'Connell addresses the pervasive imposter syndrome that comes with unplanned pregnancy, the fantasies of a "natural" birth experience that erode maternal self-esteem, post-partum body and sex issues, and the fascinating strangeness of stepping into a new, not-yet-comfortable identity. Channeling fears and anxieties that are still taboo and often unspoken, And Now We Have Everything is an unflinchingly frank, funny, and visceral motherhood story for our times, about having a baby and staying, for better or worse, exactly yourself. Smart, funny, and true in all the best ways, this book made me ache with recognition." -- Cheryl Strayed

The delivery of high quality and equitable care for both mothers and newborns is complex and requires efforts across many sectors. The United States spends more on childbirth than any other country in the world, yet outcomes are worse than other high-resource countries, and even worse for Black and Native American women. There are a variety of factors that influence childbirth, including social determinants such as income, educational levels, access to care, financing, transportation, structural racism and geographic variability in birth settings. It is important to reevaluate the United States' approach to maternal and newborn care through the lens of these factors across multiple disciplines. Birth Settings in America: Outcomes, Quality, Access, and Choice reviews and evaluates maternal and newborn care in the United States, the epidemiology of social and clinical risks in pregnancy and childbirth, birth settings research, and access to and choice of birth settings.

In these pages, the harrowing experiences of women in Tanzania are laid bare. Through poignant and insightful narratives, the book delves into the intricate complexities of cultural practices, memory, trauma, and spirituality. It offers a sobering account of the harsh realities women endure, navigating deeply entrenched gendered cultures that assign lower cultural value to womanhood. However, amidst these challenges, the book reveals the remarkable resilience exhibited by women within Tanzanian society. Drawing from the author’s personal background as a descendant of traditional midwives, one who was a former practitioner of female genital mutilation surgery, this raw and unflinching account provides an authentic portrayal of the realities faced by Tanzanian women. The author’s years spent as a rural pastor in Tanzanian villages have endowed him with a unique perspective, enabling him to draw profound parallels between his mother’s journey into womanhood and his wife’s relentless endeavors to combat gender inequality and violence both within and beyond the church. Through this intimate and revealing lens, readers are invited to explore the intricate intersections of gender, culture, and spirituality in Tanzania. The evocative narratives within this book serve as catalysts, inspiring readers to challenge their preconceptions and take a firm stance against the injustices that women endure. With its captivating storytelling and powerful message, this thought-provoking work is an essential read for individuals interested in delving into gender studies, cultural studies, and the pursuit of social justice.

Book discusses VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean).

This book is a simple book of love written for you, a mom pregnant again after loss, from other loss moms who have been where you are now. In the pages of this book, we share letters of love from our hearts to yours with the hope that, maybe, in the darkest, loneliest hours of grief and fear, you will find a little bit of comfort in the words offered here. Our deepest desire is for you to know that you are not alone. We are with you. When needed, let us carry your hope for you when it feels impossible to find. Let us wrap you in love and be a light in the darkness as you carry both hope and fear and engage in the most courageous act - to choose for life after you have known death.

The publication of the King James version of the Bible, translated between 1603 and 1611, coincided with an extraordinary flowering of English literature and is universally acknowledged as the greatest influence on English-language literature in history. Now, world-class literary writers introduce the book of the King James Bible in a series of beautifully designed, small-format volumes. The introducers' passionate, provocative, and personal engagements with the spirituality and the language of the text make the Bible come alive as a stunning work of literature and remind us of its overwhelming contemporary relevance.

Daily self-care practices for the first 90 days of motherhood Being a brand new mom is an indescribable joy, but it's also an overwhelming and tiring time. During the first few months after giving birth, it's more important than ever for moms to take care of their mind, body, and spirit. This supportive self-care journal encourages them to pause and look after every facet of their own well-being, with 90 days of gentle self-care practices designed with moms in mind. Total self-care--Find an inspirational journal prompt every day that reflects on all the thoughts and feelings that come with motherhood, along with a checklist of simple ways for moms to care for their bodies. Build lifelong habits--Taking the time to make self-care a habit creates a positive, compassionate mindset that will get moms through even the toughest times. Perfect for busy days--These brief, guided prompts combine physical and emotional self-care for a one-step way to add a moment of positivity to every day. The First 90 Days After Birth helps any mom make time for healing self-care.

This book reviews the range of psychoses that complicate the reproductive process, describing a range of interventions and preventive strategies.