The Birth Of A Mother Paperback – December 3, 1998

This book was an assigned reading from our family therapist.Each woman starts her own motherhood a certain way - some become a mother at 8 or 12yo, when caring for a younger sibling, some become a mother at 50yo, when taking their late-arrived child for the first time to the ER, and some, during a miscarriage or after an abortion.The book won't create a mother of you, but will help you identify several essential steps of your personal maturity that created - or will create a mother of you.Unlike a "pregnancy book" that most likely fairytales the labor and explains how most women are soaked with love during pushing and become a mother here and there, this book addresses deep thoughts, and maturing processes that are independent of any single physical moment. You don't need to be pregnant to be a mother, you don't need to have a vaginal birth to be a mother. You don't even need a child to be a mother!And vice versa, having a smooth pregnancy and dream vaginal birth doesn't create instant perfect love toward the new baby.You need that book to acknowledge your own identity thru your own personal life and experiences, beyond what "people think of you".As for me, it helped me be proud and active in my own IDENTICAL AND EQUAL love toward three children who came to me thru three different ways, loving my children for who they are, not for the how or when or when of their arrival.

I haven't finished it yet, but this book talks about how a woman's mind changes from the moment she becomes pregnant and it's very very helpful, especially for someone like me who has an unplanned pregnancy. Minus one star because it assumes that the mother is going to be with a husband -- nothing speaking to single moms or moms who are not heterosexual, so the book is a little dated for that reason. But most of the information is overall relevant no matter who you are or what your background is.

I was in complete despair after the birth of my beautiful daughter. I had read other books about PPD and nothing hit home for me...until I read this book. If you are having an identity crisis as I was reading this book made me weep with relief. I could finally put words and concrete feelings to my emotions. Now my daughter is 13 months old and I am just as attached to her as she is to me. I love her more than seems possible. I would even say that this would be a good prenatal book for those of us who are worried about PPD. All this knowledge and written by a man!!!!

I've gifted this title several times to young women having their first baby...it's a topic that I don't see addressed often to this extent

This book really prepared me for my pregnancy experience. I am so glad I read it and would recommend it to any new mother. I could see it benefiting moms going through additional pregnancies because each pregnancy is unique, but I really found it helpful as a first-time mom to put things in perspective.

It tends to repeat itself thoughtout the different chapters. However, it was very good read.

I got this for my daughter who is pregnant with her first baby. She loves that she now has a book that speaks to a whole range of emotions and life journey of becoming a new mom.

This is a book, based on serious psychological research, and contains the state of the art knowledgge about becoming a mother. It ought to be obligatory reading for evry mother to be. perhaps even to be read before deciding to have a baby.Espen Collett, teaching psychoanaytic psychotherapist

A beautiful book discussing the monumental (and unexpected) changes emotionally and psychologically, that women go through in the process of becoming a mother. It is well written, compassionate and insightful. Written by psychiatrists who specialised in mothers experiences and the relationship between mother and baby, so...real experts. Authors are a couple, who had their own parenthood experiences. I wish I had read this before my baby came along, but it was still a valuable acknowledgement of my experience after he was born.Good price. An available on kindle!

I read it at the end of my pregancy and immediately after giving birth! While reading it I was nodding my head constantly especially on the 1st chapter "Pregnancy: preparing for your new identity"... you would think it was written by a woman not a bloke. After giving birth, part 2 - "A mother is born" especially the chapters regarding baby's survival, feeding & playing with your baby as well the need for a women's network for the affirmation of your new role, spoke directly to my heart.The book is based on research and D. Stern way of writting is clear and very easy to read. It is targeted to new mothers and not to professionals but it is not one of the self-help types of books of popular psychology. It is simple but not simplistic. It speaks volumes!

I like the therapeutic approach, as myself I am a therapist. It can get a bit tireding to read though, because of the way chapters are organized. But it is a valuable book for expectant parents or therapists.

I give this book to first time expecting friends. I helped me a lot.

It makes you aware of the changes that are happening, giving it a name and helping you understand the feelings that you are experiencing. It helped deal with changes much better.