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An Intimate History of Premature Birth: And What It Teaches Us about Being Human by Sarah DiGregorio
colbygirl13reads's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Very informative regarding the life and death of preemies
my_writings_left_here's review against another edition
5.0
This book was reallyyyyy incredible - I was sad to finish it! Besides my continual interest in women's health topics, I'm also currently taking a creative nonfiction course this semester; this book was a gorgeous example of creative nonfiction, as the author weaves her own personal experiences of prematurity with the public history and future of neonatal medicine. DiGregorio's personal experiences complimented the research included within the piece so well and made the narrative even more impactful. Overall, I feel like this is the most I've learned while reading a birth/pregnancy-related book in a while. I didn't know very much about premature birth and DiGregorio examines the entire history of neonatal medicine, cross-cultural practices, the current medical innovations occurring in the US, the ethics of these innovations, and also the political ramifications of these neonatal innovations. Discussing the topic of premature birth brings up so many medical ethics questions and made me consider how life exists in so many different forms - this type of medical advancement continues to beg the question of, who determines what constitutes life? I've hung on to this book after finishing it and would like to jot down all the pages I found most interesting/surpring at some point!
kaila_s's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Death
hsthomp's review against another edition
4.0
“Caring for them [premature babies] is like touching some essence, something you aren’t supposed to see: the terrible beauty of a human being built, gorgeous and unknowable.”
Although I enjoyed it, I’d be hesitant to recommend unless it’s a population or topic you are particularly interested in. However, it’s a really remarkable book on prematurity and neonatology. Gave such beautiful language to the incredible little world I’m so fortunate get to call “work” during the week.
Although I enjoyed it, I’d be hesitant to recommend unless it’s a population or topic you are particularly interested in. However, it’s a really remarkable book on prematurity and neonatology. Gave such beautiful language to the incredible little world I’m so fortunate get to call “work” during the week.
thisislizwa's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you, Sarah DiGregorio, for writing this book. The historical context behind the modern day NICU was fascinating. The research on prematurity in current society is presented in a nuanced way. There is not nearly enough written about the NICU experience in general, so to have it written about so clearly and thoughtfully is just really great. I wanted to highlight every sentence.
vyalopez's review against another edition
4.0
I work in a Nicu as a child life specialist. I found this book informative & insightful and it will definitely improve my practice. I appreciate all the research that went into making this, and opening my eyes to a lot of things I was unaware of such as: group prenatal care & how racism can lead to prematurity.
gray_05_sea's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.5
Excellent read, informative and thought-provoking. Nice “pop science” as opposed to hrs core science.