Sexual & Reproductive Health

In a May 2024 Pew poll, more than two-thirds of Americans indicated they thought that in vitro fertilization (IVF) is good and should be accessible to anyone who wants it. Even among social conservatives—including the current U.S. administration—there is a push for wider accessibility for artificial procreation options. But is IVF truly the gift for infertile couples that it’s perceived to be?

Pregnancy! It’s often painted in rosy tones—nine months of glowing skin, serene smiles, and an ever-deepening, almost mystical connection with the tiny life growing inside of you. Walk through any bookstore’s parenting section or scroll through social media, and you’ll see picture-perfect images of expectant mothers meditating on mountaintops, lovingly cradling their bumps, or joyfully decorating nurseries in flawless pastel hues.

Pregnancy! Just saying the word conjures up images of glowing skin, fluttering kicks, baby showers, and that unmistakable moment of awe when you hear your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. It’s one of the most profound experiences in life – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But along with the beauty and anticipation of growing a new life comes something else entirely: an avalanche of opinions, warnings, dos and don’ts, and well-meaning (but often questionable) advice.

Pregnancy is an amazing journey—a unique blend of wonder, anticipation, and transformation. It’s a time when your body takes on an extraordinary task: creating and nurturing new life. From the moment that second line appears on the pregnancy test, everything changes. Your mind starts racing with questions, your body begins its slow and subtle (or sometimes not-so-subtle) changes, and your heart expands in ways you never imagined. One of the first realizations many expectant parents face is just how much is going on beneath the surface. Every system in your body starts working overtime.

Bringing a new life into the world is one of the most profound and transformative journeys a human being can experience. It’s raw, real, and deeply personal. For many, the idea of a “natural birth”—childbirth without the assistance of pain-relieving medications such as an epidural—feels not just appealing, but ideal. It speaks to something primal, something rooted in ancient wisdom and modern-day empowerment.

Many people don't realize that fear is one of the biggest causes of pain in childbirth. This book will help you overcome fear and experience a more confident, relaxed, and faith-filled birth.

Elke bevalling kan positief zijn en dat is precies wat verloskundige Geke Born wil vertellen. Met Goed bevallen schreef zij een boek waar elke (aanstaande) ouder enorm veel kracht en motivatie uit kan halen. Voor veel ouders behoort een zwangerschap en bevalling tot de meest indrukwekkende ervaringen in hun leven. Geke Born begeleidde als verloskundige honderden bevallingen en vraagt zich af hoe het toch komt dat we elkaar vooral de negatieve ervaringen vertellen.

In this groundbreaking pregnancy book, Carson Meyer draws on her experience as a birth doula helping hundreds of families welcome their babies into the world. With a holistic focus on wellness, health, and spirituality, Growing Together offers birthing parents an empowering approach to pregnancy and childbirth that is too often missing in today's standard care.

Twenty-four + One: A Mother’s Story of Faith, Love and Miracles is a heartfelt memoir chronicling the powerful journey of Ash Ruddy, a mother whose strength and faith were forged in the fires of uncertainty and fear. At just twenty-four weeks and one day into her pregnancy, Ash faced delivering her son, Michael. What began as a medical emergency quickly unfolded into a life-altering spiritual journey.

The Losses We Keep is a deeply moving collection of personal stories from women who have faced the heart-wrenching journey of pregnancy loss, IVF struggles, and the uncertainty of not knowing why they can't conceive. Jami, alongside eight other courageous women, shares her story and theirs, offering a raw and honest look at the emotional and physical challenges they have endured. This book is a beacon of hope, a source of solidarity, and a reminder that no woman facing these trials is alone.