Birth Book – by Justine Zappa
Book Review written by Perth doula Samantha Merrie
A unique interactive resource like no other which is exactly why I feel like it’s a must have for expecting women.
The Perth writer, Justine, has done an exceptional job in creating a resource which is stunning to read but is also an interactive guide that takes women on an educational journey through all four trimesters.
From the second you open this book; you’re greeted with the most stunning illustrations and calming colour pallet which excites the readers before even beginning the journey within the pages. The book is filled with practical must have tools and exercises, education and facts about the body and birth, positive affirmations, personal and real stories and 20 pages throughout the book that allows readers to journal or jot down take away points from the information provided. It’s written in a way that even the most time challenged Mumma can still again insight, each page has just the right amount of wording which allows readers who are busy to pick it up and put it down yet still gain so much insight from the contents.
The first part of the book is dedicated to the first trimester. Throughout this area there is a wealth of knowledge that is written in a way to empower, educate and remove the fear of birth. Justine discusses surrendering, what fear can do to labour, what happens within the body and mind during labour/ birth and the power of hormones within the process. She also includes some important exercises for readers to do to help them improve their mental wellbeing when it comes to birth. These include a “write and burn” area which discusses factors women must undo and the expectations they need to let go of along with 10 things they are grateful for, a brainstorm for their positive birth, interview with a real Mumma & a guided meditation. They guided meditation if both written and has a QR code which allows women to scan and listen to which is incredible!
Next is all about trimester 2, aka building that birth bubble. In this area Justine touches on her experience with losing her baby girl Gigi at 16 weeks along with the importance of selecting the best birth team for your birth. She has created a guided exercise to help women decide who exactly will make up their birth team, during this exercise she asks readers to think about things like what each locations offers such as a public hospital, birth center, etc and how the readers feel after meeting with their chosen providers / team. Step 2 of this process is defining roles within the birth team which makes the readers really dive into the benefits of having certain people present. She also goes through affirmations, visualisations, and the importance of language. Towards the back of the area is pages for more journalling with prompts such as “how can I add more positivity and fun to my life” & “what I find difficult” There are also QR codes allowing readers to hear Justines positive birth and watch her positive birth video (get the tissues ready, it’s a good one!)
From this chapter, we move into the 3rd trimester – “built to birth”. This section of book discusses the physical environment, breathing techniques, positioning, music, and movement. There are QR codes for readers to access meditation for breathing and to access Justine’s Spotify playlist. There is an area for readers to jot down tools that they wish to use to transport them into their birth bubble as well as positive affirmations relating to labour and birthing.
Lastly the book goes into the 4th trimester or as Justine puts it, “when one becomes two”. She touches on lowering expectations on yourself, the importance of finding 10 minutes for yourself both with and without baby, positive postpartum affirmations & the importance of nurturing your body. It gives the readers the opportunity to write down their favorite part of each day, their favorite part about being a Mumma and what they’ve found challenging.
The remainder of the book are journal pages with promotes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th trimester, birth story, baby names, as well as shopping list and calendar for those antenatal and postnatal appointments.
Birth book ticks all the boxes, whether the expecting mother a big reader or not, this book is designed in a way that anyone can gain insight, knowledge, and education from it. The QR codes are what really make this book so unique, from the guided meditation, playlist or video, the readers are transported away from their location to another place where birth is an exciting and positive experience. This, along with areas where women can journal and take notes makes this book the ultimate birthing resource.
For those wishing to purchase the book or learn more, head to their website: www.birthbook.com.au.
*All images have been approved for use by writer. *
My name is Samantha Merrie, and I am a doula based in Perth, Western Australia who has completed extensive training at the Doula Training Academy with Vicki Hobbs. If you would like to talk to me more about your birthing options, please contact me:
Business Name:
The Merrie Doula
Business Email:
[email protected]
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