After Birth by Jessica Hatcher-Moore
Book Review written by doula Steph Valle
Prolapses can be reversed?
This author argues that yes, yes they can…
I don’t know about you, but my body is becoming more bewildering as I age.
I’m currently five months post-partum with my first child, and I’m wondering “should it have gone like that …” “is it normal?”.. among a million other things that we as parents juggle (more specifically for us, includes the commencement of solids in a few short weeks… eek!).
Picking up the book After Birth, I was instantly charmed by the authors blunt and charismatic story telling… (perhaps that’s just my love for Englishmen?) but the purpose of this book isn’t to tell a story, it is to explain in factuality the things that CAN happen post-partum, while explaining that even though its common doesn’t mean we have to soldier on dealing with it.
In fact, not soldiering on is what this author explains is best for our babies and partners so we can focus all our energies on the right things (therefore not being uncomfortable & energy less while mothering).
As with every story of pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenthood, it is refreshingly and frustratingly true that every single time is a different experience. Same body, different baby. Different time, different recovery. Different growth, different discharge… (I think I’m starting to get used to this feeling…erm maybe not).
Don’t expect this book to be a “this is what I should eat & do” style book, because the author time and time again explains the importance of getting professional help when things are feeling not quite right…
But what does “not quite right” mean? That’s where I think this book comes in. Hatcher-Moore speaks to medical professionals in including physiotherapists, psychologists, as well as referencing studies and other authors.
When discussing the topic of weaning, the author asks “why had my once-firm tissue become rather pendulous and uninspiring? ‘Like empty crisp packets’ as a friend bemoaned.” I laughed out loud… in horror … maybe I should be wearing more supportive bras like my mum has warned me for the past 15 years…
Like most books I enjoyed reading during pregnancy, this book has snippets of a broad range of women’s experiences. I have always found these comforting and gives me a sense of connectedness to all other mothers who have been, currently are, and who will be going through these new (to us) realities.
There is such a thing as postnatal depression for fathers too! In the final chapter, the author speaks directly to partners. Do your relationship a favour and borrow this book from the library (like I did) or buy it just for these 36 pages, labelled “Advice to partners”.
Thers a tough balance for us as mothers in leaning between intuition and knowing when to get more help. I think as we grow and learn as the years go by, we start to know more about ourselves and finding what we truly need gets more obvious (not easier).
All in all, an enjoyable, easy, educational read. I am going to buy the book and keep it ready for you during your weary postpartum period, like I wish I did.
For those who don’t want to read the book, my biggest takeaways are:
- see a physiotherapist after EVERY birth… or else (read the book to find out)!
- just because something is common, doesn’t mean it’s healthy or we have to cope with it
- if you go to the GP and your concerns aren’t addressed or your particular concern isn’t improving and you want a referral to a specialist, go back and make it happen. You know your body best.
Praying you have a thriving, well-supported fourth trimester & ongoing postpartum period…
All the love.
My name is Stephanie Valle, I live in Newcastle NSW, and I am a doula who is completing training at the Doula Training Academy. If you would like to talk more about your postpartum options, please contact me:
Business Name:
Doula Steph
Business Email:
[email protected]
Website:
https://doulasteph.com.au
Phone:
0424 419 074
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https://www.instagram.com/doulasteph_