As women, most of us have expectations for what motherhood will look like. We imagine the number of children we will have, how far apart in age they will be and in what order they will arrive. And then we assume everything will play out in just the way we had envisioned. We hope for a textbook pregnancy and assume a positive pregnancy test ensures that we will bring a baby home.
But sadly, for too many of us, the reality of motherhood is a far cry from what we had imagined. For too many women, our dreams of motherhood take an unexpected detour as we navigate the difficult road of pregnancy loss. We are forced to let go of the expectations we once had as we realize that we have little control over our motherhood journey.
After having it on my list for months, I finally read Alexis Marie Chute’s book, “Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing, and Pregnancy After Loss.” And I can honestly say that I wish I would have read it sooner. This book is a glorious example of riveting and raw storytelling, and as someone who has endured pregnancy after loss, I could identify with nearly every word written.
Chute gives a heart-wrenchingly beautiful account of her journey through pregnancy after loss. After her son Zachary dies at birth, she immerses herself in her “Year of Distraction” as a means to avoid focusing on the overwhelming sorrow from the death of her son. When she finds out that she is once again pregnant, her grief initially overshadows the hope of having another child. She realizes that she must work through her grief in order to rediscover joy.
Chute magnificently describes the multitude of feelings that are involved during pregnancy after loss.
Grief for the baby who is gone. Fear for the baby who is. Frustration in not feeling understood by those who have not experienced such a loss. And the struggle to find hope when her heart wants so badly to bring another baby home, but her mind won’t let her forget what could go devastatingly wrong.
This book provides an honest account of what it looks like to be pregnant after experiencing loss. Those who have lost a baby and then found themselves pregnant again will appreciate and identify with Chute’s honesty describing the turmoil involved in pregnancy after loss.
It is an invaluable resource for those walking beside a loved one who has experienced loss. And it is an intriguing story for all readers alike.
You can find more from Alexis Marie Chute on her blog, Wanted Chosen Planned.
If you are interested in reading this book you can purchase it directly from Amazon by clicking the book icon. The link below is an affiliate link, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. I have not received compensation for this review and I do not include affiliate links for items that I do not personally recommend.
Click on the book above to purchase this book.
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Leave a Reply