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Reviews
Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy by Angela Garbes
travelviabooks's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best pregnancy books I've read! A poignant look at pregnancy and the journey into motherhood that everyone should read (whether you're pregnant or supporting someone who is)
Angela tackles the subject with anecdotal stories that keep it light while also not being afraid to deep dive into the historical research, giving it additional context and depth as an excellent journalist would. I laughted, I cried and 10/10 would recommend.
Angela tackles the subject with anecdotal stories that keep it light while also not being afraid to deep dive into the historical research, giving it additional context and depth as an excellent journalist would. I laughted, I cried and 10/10 would recommend.
deedireads's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I haven’t picked up many (read: any) books on pregnancy since I got pregnant in October. I’m not sure I’m quite ready, identity-shift-wise, to join the throngs of people who will refer to me as a “mama.” And I know myself, so I’m resisting the urge to over-educate/fixate. But when a friend saw my pregnancy announcement and told me she was sending me a copy of this book because it made her feel super powerful and confident, I trusted her recommendation and picked it up.
I think the reason I liked this so much was that it was part examination of current research and guidelines, but also part memoir. Garbes tells us about her experiences and is clear that she’s framing things through that lens, so she never comes off preachy. She has clear respect for all people who give birth and any choices they make. (The only place I thought this might have been overdone was in the breastfeeding chapter. She breastfed her daughter until she was 2 years old, and the information she includes skews heavily toward breastfeeding being ideal.)
I actually think that this book paired really nicely with Cat Bohannan’s Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution. I feel like I know a lot more about my own reproductive system’s purpose and function after having read both!
I think the reason I liked this so much was that it was part examination of current research and guidelines, but also part memoir. Garbes tells us about her experiences and is clear that she’s framing things through that lens, so she never comes off preachy. She has clear respect for all people who give birth and any choices they make. (The only place I thought this might have been overdone was in the breastfeeding chapter. She breastfed her daughter until she was 2 years old, and the information she includes skews heavily toward breastfeeding being ideal.)
I actually think that this book paired really nicely with Cat Bohannan’s Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution. I feel like I know a lot more about my own reproductive system’s purpose and function after having read both!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Grief
Moderate: Medical content
cecsheehan's review against another edition
4.0
"A feminist journey through science and culture" is an apt subtitle for this book, mixing science and research with personal reflections on pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood. I learned the most from two sections: the chapter on pregnancy loss and research on how to adequately support people who have experienced loss, and the final chapter on microchimerism.
danielle_renee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
nekomeith's review against another edition
4.0
The lack of study into what happens to pregnant women, and not just their fetuses, is incredibly lacking! This book was a good look into things most people, even mothers themselves, don't know about the amazing things a body goes through during pregnancy and even after. I really enjoyed this book, I only wish it was organized more concisely.
katiekelly28's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0