A Mother is Born: Preparing for Motherhood During Pregnancy [Paperback]

Merete Leonhardt-Lupa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0897893530 | ISBN-13: 978-0897893534

"A wise and gentle guide, Merete Leonhardt-Lupa takes the reader's hand and accompanies her on a most extraordinary journey: pregnancy through new motherhood. A Mother is Born reminds us that the psychological, emotional, and physical transformations of the mother-to-be are no less wondrous or complex than the new life she harbors. Leonhardt-Lupa helps us understand how a woman struggles, grows, develops, and is empowered as she becomes a mother. This is a life-affirming book that both new mothers and new fathers will benefit from reading." Evelyn Bassoff, Ph.D. Author of Between Mothers and Sons: The Making of Vital and Loving Men

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Unlike most guides for new mothers, which focus on practical skills for daily care of infants, this one emphasizes the necessary emotional and psychological transformation required for a woman to become a mother. Psychotherapist Leonhardt-Lupa explores the impact of her own mothering, changes in self-identity, unreasonable expectations for motherhood, and changes in sexuality and the body to help women prepare for the challenges of mothering a new baby. A lengthy case study reinforces her insights. Although Leonhardt-Lupa writes with warmth, she is unflinching in presenting the negative and painful aspects of first-time motherhood, and in the process, she provides unusual and effective reality checks for women who have chosen to assume this responsibility. Kathryn Carpenter

Review

“This book may appeal to psychotherapists and Jungian therapists involved in helping pregnant women overcome self image difficulties....”–Journal of Human Lactation

“Unlike most guides for new mothers, which focus on practical skills for daily care of infants, this one emphasizes the necessary emotional and psychological transformation required for a woman to become a mother. Psychotherapist Leonhardt-Lupa explores the impact of her own mothering, changes in self-identity, unreasonable expectations from motherhood, and changes in sexuality and body to help women prepare for the challenges of mothering a new baby. A lengthy case study reinforces her insights. Although Leonhardt-Lupa writes with warmth, she is unflinching in presenting the negative and painful aspects of first-time motherhood, and in the process, she provides unusual and effective reality checks for women who have chosen to assume this responsibility.”–Booklist

“Merete Leonhardt-Lupa has written a valuable and informative guide for mothers-to-be. This book will familiarize pregnant mothers with the roller coaster ride of emotions that come with pregnancy. A Mother is Born covers important ground that many books overlook, the identity crisis, sexuality, the pregnant mother's relationship with her mother, and a woman's basic connection to her own mothering instincts and intuition. Ms. Leonhardt-Lupa continuously brings mothers back to their basic feelings and asks them to trust themselves. Better advice could not be given in an age of instant authorities. This is an original and provocative book that is not only a great "read" but is solidly based on psychological theory and research. A Mother is Born should be the gift of choice at every baby shower.”–Thomas Paris, Ph.D. Author of I'll Never Do to My Kids What My Parents Did to Me!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bergin & Garvey Trade (February 28, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897893530
• ISBN-13: 978-0897893534
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,332,860 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A different kind of preparation for motherhood!, June 19, 2000

By 

Eileen Palsson (Sollentuna Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: A Mother is Born: Preparing for Motherhood During Pregnancy (Paperback)

My experience while pregnant with my first child was that 99 percent of the usual preparations involve either pregnancy or baby care. We learn how to take care of ourselves (mostly physically) when pregnant, we learn about childbirth and breastfeeding, we buy things for baby, and we learn the basics of baby care. A few mothers mentioned to me what a big change it is when the first child arrives, but not much more.

So I was unprepared for the surprising emotions and thoughts I would have surrounding my own life and my relationships with my baby, my husband, and my own mother. I didn't realize how totally unlike any other "job" motherhood is. I didn't realize the extent to which having a baby would transform my life and change me as a person.

I didn't buy "A Mother Is Born" until my son was three months old and I found myself enjoying the new addition to our family but struggling with many conflicting emotions and painful changes. I wish I had read the book (or at least started it) while still pregnant. I think it is a good guide to the new feelings and changes that a new mother can experience. It contains many powerful insights and it was valuable to me to have some of my new experiences put into words.

Some topics that are covered are: How society views mothering, perfectionism, the transition from another profession to motherhood, a mother's relationship with her own mother (including how her view of her mother affects her experience of mothering), various aspects of parenting, motherhood and femininity, sexuality, and many more.

The book is densely written - no frivolous or repetitive fluff! It is not an easy or particularly relaxing book to read - but not terribly difficult, either. The interesting, alternative ideas and insights keep you going.

Some drawbacks of the book are the small size of the print and its creative hyphenation and punctuation. There were even some "words" that aren't really words, according to my dictionary. My impression is that the author is a non-native speaker of English and that the book was not carefully edited or even spell-checked. I thought this would bother me, but it didn't, as the author is obviously well-educated and articulate.

Though the book, written from a Jungian perspective, does not show you motherhood through rose-colored glasses as many books do, it is uplifting and encouraging. It will help new mothers to believe in their ability to be a "good" mom, in spite of an initial lack of experience.