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Misconceptions: Truth, Lies, and the Unexpected on the Journey to Motherhood Paperback – February 4, 2003

by Naomi Wolf (Author)

126 customer reviews

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In The Beauty Myth the fearless Naomi Wolf revolutionized the way we think about beauty. In Misconceptions, she demythologizes motherhood and reveals the dangers of common assumptions about childbirth. With uncompromising honesty she describes how hormones eroded her sense of independence, ultrasounds tested her commitment to abortion rights, and the keepers of the OB/GYN establishment lacked compassion. The weeks after her first daughter’s birth taught her how society, employers, and even husbands can manipulate new mothers. She had bewildering post partum depression, but learned that a surprisingly high.percentage of women experience it.
Wolf’s courageous willingness to talk about the unexpected difficulties of childbirth will help every woman become a more knowledgeable planner of her pregnancy and better prepare her for the challenges of balancing a career, freedom, and a growing family. Invaluable in its advice to parents, Misconceptions speaks to anyone connected–personally, medically, or professionally–to a new mother.

Misconceptions: Truth, Lies, and the Unexpected on the Journey to Motherhood

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Product Details

Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Anchor; 1.5.2003 edition (February 4, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385497458
ISBN-13: 978-0385497459
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.4 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (126 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #559,770 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #965 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Women's Studies > Feminist Theory
- #1067 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Women's Health > Pregnancy & Childbirth
- #1136 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Motherhood

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Customer Reviews

126

3.3 out of 5 stars

5 star		35%
4 star		20%
3 star		11%
2 star		12%
1 star		22%

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Top Customer Reviews

Not great not horrible

By Lorrie Leigh on October 17, 2001

Format: Hardcover

This book has some good aspects but feels like it needed more research or more time in introspection. Sure it is great to have a well known respected feminist writer say the things that Suzanne Arms, Ina May Gaskin, Sheila Kitzinger, etc. have all said before(and somewhat better in my opinion) and women will pick up this book, because it is Naomi Wolf, that wouldn't otherwise buy a book about birth and mothering. That is all to the good!
I see strengths in the chapters describing the truly typical dismissive prenatal care most OBs give (I say this as an experienced childbirth educator/labor support person/mother of twins - the dreaded "high risk" pregnancy that wasn't). It clearly says that there is no basis in fact or simple human decency in such a birth culture. The Post Partum Depression chapter is worth the price of the book. Honesty on that topic is often lacking! I actually liked the stories about women trying to negotiate changing marital relationships. Some have found them whiny, but they sound like some of my girlfriends conversations and rang true to me. I think she is overly pessimistic. Some of us find a good balance with our mates and are truly happy(rather than resigned) with the results.
It is true that a sense of entitlement doesn't render this a truly representative book. Where are the Latino, African-American and immigrant birth experiences. If she thinks hers was bad, she has no idea how truly bad it can get! I once consoled a sobbing 19 year old at a health fair, who told me how her nurse and OB literally yelled, "shut up!" to her repeatedly when she asked questions during her birth. I was horrified at Wolf's indefensible comments on LaLecheLeague. I want to know what meeting she went to (I suspect she actually didn't go to one).Read more ›

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A few valid points overwhelmed by melodrama & poor-me-ism

By Carol S. VINE VOICE on September 26, 2001

Format: Hardcover

As a pregnant stay-at-home mother, I've experienced first-hand the extent to which society devalues motherhood and pregnancy. I therefore found the concept of Naomi Wolf's book, "Misconceptions," intriguing: Wolf purports to "show how the experience of becoming a mother ... [is] undersupported, sentimentalized, and even manipulated at women's expense." Sadly, the book's whiny, self-pitying tone and unrelenting negativity will undoubtedly alienate the people Wolf seeks to convince.
Let me start by saying that Wolf does make many valid points about the unsupportive and often negative way American society treats pregnant women and new mothers. For example, she rightly points out the stinginess of most employers when it comes to maternity leave; the unreasonable difficulty in determining important statistics like a hospital's rate of maternal death or percentage of patients who ultimately get C-sections; and the unwillingness of society to deal straight-on with the less romantic aspects of pregnancy and motherhood. And Wolf's critique of the patronizing "What to Expect When You're Expecting" (which is a minuscule portion of the book, but has received disproportionate emphasis in many reviews) is dead-on accurate.
Unfortunately, the important and thought-provoking parts of the book are far outweighed by the book's flaws: (1) for every one well-reasoned argument or analysis, there are at least two or three that are questionable or even plainly absurd. For example, is Wolf seriously suggesting that what a pregnant woman sees or does can somehow "imprint" on her unborn fetus? Consider her response to the morally ambiguous and extremely complex issue of selective termination: "What sort of violence might the surviving siblings remember in that place below memory?".Read more ›

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Revealing, on target and a bit disappointing

By Christine Morton on November 19, 2001

Format: Hardcover

I picked up this book with great anticipation, after hearing that Naomi Wolf had just given a reading in Seattle. My midwife friend who attended the reading told me it was clear Wolf had a lot of anger, still, about her birth experiences. As a sociologist writing a book about the doula movement, (professional labor support), I was curious to see what Wolf could add to the volumes of social science research out there about the American way of birth. There is still work cut out for those of us who take all this for granted. I can only hope that this book will attract readers who will be inspired to do further research on their own, who would otherwise take the system as is, unquestioned.
I was disappointed that Naomi Wolf failed to cite more of the research that shows how skewed American obstetrics is toward pathologizing normal reproduction and protecting itself against a litigious consumer base. I was disappointed that Naomi chose (again) to represent her own upper middle class experience as the gauge against which our social treatment of reproduction and motherhood should be measured. And yet, her story shows that even women with resources and education are left blindsided by their transition to motherhood...
However, I was touched by the emotional voice that she shared--one which cried out for what should be (but really isn't) the right of every woman going through pregnancy and childbirth--unconditional emotional support, information geared toward her particular situation and effective advocacy at the birth itself. I felt the book did not go far enough in showing women the kinds of resources available for finding this, once the problem had been identified. There are many Internet parenting websites that contain a full spectrum of information regarding childbirth options.Read more ›

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

THE JOURNALIST AND ACTIVIST PROPOSES “MOTHERHOOD FEMINISM”

Naomi R. Wolf (born 1962) is an author and journalist, who has written books such as The Beauty Myth, Promiscuities: The Secret Struggle for Womanhood, Fire with Fire: The New... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Steven H Propp

THE JOURNALIST AND ACTIVIST PROPOSES “MOTHERHOOD FEMINISM”

Naomi R. Wolf (born 1962) is an author and journalist, who has written books such as The Beauty Myth, Promiscuities: The Secret Struggle for Womanhood, Fire with Fire: The New... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Steven H Propp

Two Stars

Over the top bias. Was helpful in some areas but was extreme in others.

Published 8 months ago by Marken1014

Every pregnant couple needs this book

This book shifted my thinking about birth and my experience considerably. It goes into detail about options available to us, whether we know it or not. Read more

Published 8 months ago by neela

One Star

This is a horrible read. All she does is pity herself.

Published 10 months ago by shannon

Eyeopener

Eyeopening read to the reality of giving birth and motherhood.

Published 22 months ago by Ashley Elizabeth

tas

The book is an eye opner for wonen who have been through motherhood embarking on the journey. It will be a souce of guide for women of all ages.

Published on March 29, 2014 by tas

Uncensored and Eye Opening

I was assigned to read this book to become certified as a doula. This is my favorite book relating to pregnancy and motherhood. Wolf is open and honest about every little detail. Read more

Published on October 3, 2013 by JPetke

Not what I expected

This was a book club selection and I was very disappointed. However, it is completely one person's opinion versus another's.

Published on August 22, 2013 by AMK

I recommend to anyone thinking about having a baby!

I really enjoyed this book- it gave me a lot of information I had never heard before! I gave it to my girlfriend to read after me. Read more

Published on June 19, 2013 by Amy Vo

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