SECOND LABOR: Mothers Share POST-Birth Stories: Twenty-Four Mothers Write Bold, Honest Accounts About Life with a Newborn

The book received positive reviews from major book reviewers, including:"There are plenty of parenting guides that cover pregnancy, birth, and childcare, but few portray the fourth trimester. Chaya Kasse Valier’s anthology, Second Labor: Mothers Share Post-Birth Stories, adds a valuable note to a neglected conversation." - Foreword - Clarion, 4 out of 5 stars“Honestly refreshing…an indispensable parenting book.” – Readers’ Favorite, 5 Stars"Heartfelt collection." -Publisher's Weekly"Second Labor is a must-read for any pregnant family, while mothers of any age will find it a joyously reminiscent experience. "BlueInk - Outstanding 'Starred' reviewTHERE IS ALWAYS A POST-BIRTH STORY. Everyone asks about your birth story, but what about after that? The postpartum period – the time frame after giving birth - can affect mothers and families as much as the birth itself, if not more. Second Labor features twenty-four mothers’ unique, personal experiences after having a baby. Their stories are bold, honest, and reflective. You’ll grab for the tissue box, laugh out loud, or both.Watch this short trailer about SECOND LABOR - the book and the "Mamalogues:" https://youtu.be/6bGsTE_Qk14 These personal stories provide validation for other mothers, as well as insights for anyone supporting postpartum women, whether you’re family, a friend, or a professional. From a first baby to a fifth, in expected or unexpected circumstances, Second Labor gives voice to a wide spectrum of stories about what life is truly like with a new baby. MORE"...Birth stories are perceived as sexy, while the postpartum period is seen as anything but. Yet postpartum is full of stories..."While birth stories are welcome in our culture, post-birth stories are not given a forum. Birth is finite, whereas postpartum goes on for a while, and therefore seemingly doesn’t lend itself to the buildup-crescendo-conclusion of a story. Yet postpartum is full of stories, and this anthology seeks to fill our culture’s postpartum story gap by giving voice to a wide spectrum of experiences.Some examples of topics include the breastfeeding-versus-formula quandary, not loving the baby until after a few months, razor-at-wrist postpartum depression, “rebirthing” a baby with Down syndrome, homebirths, C-sections, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), a baby “so good you could have ordered her from a catalog,” and many other enlightening and touching stories. Because each mother wrote so honestly, this anthology validates mothers and families, as well as provides detailed insights for anyone working with postpartum women.There are plenty of postpartum books on the market – most of them how-tos for baby’s first year, or dedicated specifically to postpartum depression, or one person’s autobiographical account of new motherhood. This anthology, by contrast, uses the model of multiple personal tales, fostering connection with a range of experiences. In turn, the stories raise awareness about the need for physical, emotional, and mental support for postpartum mothers.