Soon after the birth of my first child, my friend Marie-Ange showed up on my doorstep with her arms full of diapers and gripe water.  Even more importantly, she came with the words of encouragement that I so desperately needed after a traumatic birth.  I had been in and out of the hospital for weeks leading up to Lily’s birth culminating with pre-eclampsia and a third degree tear. Exhaustion had settled in and I wondered if I really was cut out for this motherhood gig.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that conversation with Marie-Ange was my first step on the path to healing. After a miscarriage and a harrowing hospital experience, I needed to know that birth could be something better, something empowering and sacred.  I started following Marie-Ange’s blog where she shared birth stories and her experiences as a doula.

What stood out to me the most was the tone of the birth stories on her blog (and this definitely carries over into her recently released book, The Sacred Gift of Childbirth: Empowered Choices for You and Your Baby).

While Marie-Ange is well-versed on the technical aspects of childbirth, her gift lies in combining facts with faith in an empowering manner that every couple needs to hear for themselves. Bridging the societal and traditional gulfs of what we are told to do, what we would like to do, and what we are innately born to do, Marie-Ange clearly guides the reader on her path to a sacred birth facilitated by inspired choices. Reading her book is like having all of the individual child-birth conversations I had with Marie and her twin-sister tied up with a bow in chapters I can reread whenever I need them.  I hope that you will feel as if you are learning from a trusted friend as you read as well.

Doesn’t that sound wonderful to you? My own journey to an empowered birth seemed like a long one. You can read more about it here.  I wish that I had a book like Marie-Ange’s available to me when I had my first baby. It’s a game changer and it perfectly combines the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual aspects of childbirth. When I read the book, it was like connecting the dots of everything I had learned over my three births. That knowledge is priceless for moving forward.

One feature of the book that I love is the worksheet that follows each chapter. It is an invitation to dig deeper and really apply what you have learned and felt. Another valuable feature is the real-life anecdotes in each chapter drawn from Marie-Ange’s own experiences as well as others. This is a woman who has experiences the highs and lows of birth and every plateau in between. Her relateability is refreshing and needed in childbirth circles.

Equally important is her Husband’s Guide chapter. A must-read for Dad’s to be. I know my husband was just as traumatized, if not more so, than I was during our difficult birth experiences.  I can see how reading this book as a couple would help to ease some of those birth fears.  Having a doula who supported and encouraged my husband as well made all the difference in my last birth.

I would love to place this book in the hands of every expecting mother and give her a glimpse of what could be. Even in high-risk circumstances, we can make inspired choices and empower ourselves as we bring these beautiful babies into the world. Whether you are a first-time mom or a mom of six, there is so much to be gained from reading this book.

What book influenced you the most while preparing for childbirth?

What childbirth tips were most helpful for you? 

I am so grateful that Cedar Fort Publishing provided me with Marie-Ange’s book to review. Thank you!

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