Labor Pains and Birth Stories: Essays on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Becoming a Parent [Paperback]

Jessica Powers (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2009

The majority of men and women in the world have given birth or supported their partners through that beautiful and terrifying experience. Giving birth is a time when one s best dreams and ideas and worst fears and nightmares coalesce into a single moment of anticipation. Out of such moments come stories that reach into the deepest place of what it means to be human, what it means to be a spiritual being, what it means to love and be loved. Labor Pains and Birth Stories is a collection of stories written by ordinary men and women about the transformation, joy, hilarity and pain of childbirth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Where, oh, where, was LABOR PAINS AND BIRTH STORIES when I was pregnant? By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, this book is destined to become a baby shower must-give. ---- Jennifer Niesslein, co-founder of Brain,Child and author of Practically Perfect in Every Way.

About the Author

Jessica Powers, an educator and writer, lives in California. Her young adult novel, The Confessional, was published by Knopf under the pen name J.L. Powers in 2007.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Catalyst Book Press (January 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0980208114
• ISBN-13: 978-0980208115
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,982,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for mothers, but for humans., October 12, 2009

By 

Jennifer L. Monroe (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Labor Pains and Birth Stories: Essays on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Becoming a Parent (Paperback)

Have you loved a child, but had to say goodbye? Have you experienced the incredible devastation of a miscarriage? Have you birthed in joy and gratitude, only to see again and again the fragile connection that tethers us here?

Loss, heartbreaking love, fear - few anthologies about birth have conveyed the full spectrum of what we face as parents, whether we are expectant, hopeful, or grieving ones, but this one does.

As a birth professional and activist, I found myself frustrated at times by things I saw as "going awry" in these birth stories: too many interventions, women not standing up for themselves, and other miscellany. But these things ceased to matter once the stories gripped me. For these are no ordinary birth stories;they are people tearing down facades to bare their hearts to us and give us a glimpse of what it means to be fully human.

Ms. Powers has gathered a shining collection of essays by writers who are beyond skillful. Every one of them will move you to greater understanding of the experiences of pregnancy, childbirth, parenting, and even grief. You will not finish this book unchanged.

I recommend it for anyone interested in pregnancy and birth, but also for those who admire great writing; for parents, birth professionals, and people who have mothers and fathers - this anthology is a rare find.

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down., June 8, 2009

By 

Happy Mom "Happy Mom" (sebastopol, ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Labor Pains and Birth Stories: Essays on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Becoming a Parent (Paperback)

I loved this book....each story is different, some absolutely hilarious, some heart wrenching, and all very well-written. I think anyone who has given birth, will give birth, or wants to give birth should read this...including husbands/significant others! It's such a great variety of experiences. The cover artwork is wonderful too! Many thanks to the authors for sharing their personal stories. I could not put it down easily...stayed up way too late some nights reading it!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine choice for future mothers, and should not be ignored by future fathers either, April 14, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Labor Pains and Birth Stories: Essays on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Becoming a Parent (Paperback)

Maternity is more than putting on a little weight and having a baby show up nine months later. "Labor Pains and Birth Stories" is a collection of anecdotes covering the adventure and misadventure that is oncoming motherhood - as well as oncoming fatherhood. Maternity is a nine month span of joy and worry; joy because of the arrival of a new soul to the world, and worry that every little thing you do during this time could screw them up for life. "Labor Pains and Birth Stories" is a fine choice for future mothers, and should not be ignored by future fathers either.