Asking for a Pregnant Friend: 101 Answers to Questions Women Are Too Embarrassed to Ask about Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood

by Bailey Gaddis

Overview

The Straight Scoop on the Questions That Make You Blush

Why do I feel turned on when breastfeeding?
Could an epidural paralyze me?
Am I awful for feeling sad my baby isn’t the sex I’d hoped for?

In this comprehensive new book, doula and birth educator Bailey Gaddis offers frank girlfriend talk and expert advice about pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood. During her own pregnancy, Bailey had many unanswered questions she felt were too taboo or embarrassing to ask. To help other women have a more informed, less cringey experience, she went on to train as a birth professional, and her work has inspired this book. Bailey consulted with medical experts and psychologists to ensure accurate answers to the featured questions, and she presents her sought-after expertise to you with thoughtfulness and humor. Her accurate, nonjudgmental answers to even the most embarrassing or scary questions will help guide you through pregnancy and the first weeks of motherhood with greater calm and confidence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608687176
Publisher:	New World Library
Publication date:	06/01/2021
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	492,515
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Bailey Gaddis is a certified hypnotherapist, certified birthing doula, HypnoBirthing® practitioner, and HypnoMothering® practitioner. She also provides volunteer in-home support to the parents of newborns through Secure Beginnings. She lives in Ojai, California.

BaileyGaddis.com

Table of Contents

Introduction xiii

Pregnancy 1

Relationships (Questions 1-9) 3

Medical Care Providers (Questions 10-11) 28

Fears and Worries (Questions 12-17) 34

Sex and the Vagina (Questions 18-25) 48

Skin and Appearance (Questions 26-30) 61

Fluids and Other Bodily Emissions (Questions 31-33) 70

General (Questions 34-37) 77

Birthing 91

Relationships (Question 38) 93

Medical Care Providers (Questions 39-41) 96

Fears and Worries (Questions 42-47) 105

C-sections and VBACs (Questions 48-52) 127

Labor Drugs (Questions 53-55) 145

Sex and the Vagina (Questions 56-58) 154

Skin and Appearance (Questions 59-60) 162

Fluids and Other Bodily Emissions (Question 61) 165

General (Questions 62-65) 167

Mothering 181

Relationships (Questions 66-77) 183

Fears and Worries (Questions 78-82) 220

Sex and the Vagina (Questions 83-85) 240

Breastfeeding (Questions 86-93) 248

C-sections and VBACs (Question 94) 269

Skin and Appearance (Question 95) 272

General (Questions 96-101) 274

Farewell, My Friend 299

Join the Sisterhood 300

Acknowledgments 301

Appendix 1 Essential Tips for the Journey 302

Appendix 2 EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Instructions 306

Appendix 3 Fear Release Exercise 309

Appendix 4 List of the 101 Questions in This Book 311

Glossary 318

Endnotes 326

Recommended Resources 335

Index 339

About the Author 365

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Asking for a Pregnant Friend is a fun, relatable book that will resonate with moms and moms-to-be around the world.”
— Nita Landry, MD, OB-GYN, cohost of The Doctors

“This is the book I wish I’d had when I was pregnant. With the warmth and loving compassion of a best friend, Bailey Gaddis guides you to address your fears and answers your questions to prepare you for a healthier and happier pregnancy, labor, and even an orgasmic birth. And she doesn’t stop there. Bailey’s essential insights into the challenging first weeks and year with your baby answer common questions from parents about feeding, sleep, and sexuality. This book will provide you with a tool kit of skills and resources to navigate the challenges and embrace the joys of parenting. It’s a new favorite in my classes!”
— Debra Pascali-Bonaro, director of the documentary Orgasmic Birth: The Best-Kept Secret, bestselling author of The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Baby, DONA doula trainer, and Lamaze Childbirth Educator

“Bailey Gaddis has an instinctual, profound talent in making you feel empowered with her words of wisdom. This is a must-read that will give you the confidence and the insight you need as a first-time mother-to-be.”
— Alanna Ubach, actor in Coco, Legally Blonde, and Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce

“Asking for a Pregnant Friend tackles the most pressing (and sometimes embarrassing) questions about pregnancy and birth with striking thoughtfulness and honesty. Bailey Gaddis is a bright and refreshing voice in a sea of predictable pregnancy resources. I will be pointing my expecting friends in Bailey’s direction!”
— Marisa Belger, coauthor of The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother

“Asking for a Pregnant Friend is so brave, essential, and thorough. Bailey Gaddis’s writing is conversational yet poignant, revealing yet compassionate, and bold and feminine. To have answers to these sensitive and vulnerable questions — given with such care, intelligence, humor, and practicality — is absolutely crucial for all mothers, whether it’s their first pregnancy or fourth. As a mother to two children, I wish I’d had this book as my ally earlier! It’s going to become my go-to gift for every expecting family.”
— Rachel Kolar McCord, writer and artist

“Guilt and horror, be gone! Nothing you are feeling or experiencing on this wildly life-altering journey is wrong, weird, or shameful. Bailey Gaddis sets it all on the table and unpacks it with thoughtful care, honesty, kindness, and a rich (and comedic) personal experience. Asking for a Pregnant Friend is a treasure trove of information on pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood, delivered in the most modern, supportive, and encouraging format. Bailey’s pitch-perfect, sage, and sure-footed advice feels like it’s coming from the best friend you wish you had.”
— Kristen Vadas, writer and producer

“Asking for a Pregnant Friend fills a void as the wise, funny, witty, and commonsense mama mentor that we all need during pregnancy but is so difficult to find in our society. This book is laugh-out-loud funny and relatable for anyone who has found themselves pregnant and questioning what on earth is going on with their body and emotions.”
— Brittany Sanders, artist (and mama)

“Bailey Gaddis isn’t just an engaging writer; she brings a wealth of experience in pregnancy, birthing, and motherhood to this book. She dares to go to the places that every woman wonders about. Let her hold your hand and lead you there. You will feel more at peace after you have navigated your own wilderness.”
— Meghan Rudd Van Alstine, PhD, psychologist

“Asking for a Pregnant Friend is the book mamas-to-be have been waiting for! Bailey Gaddis’s candid, loving, and no-BS voice will soothe and calm you before, during, and after your pregnancy. This is the book I wish I’d had for each of my three pregnancies. Reading it now lets the thrice-pregnant me feel relieved, informed, and taken care of by my dear friend Bailey. A must-read for any person considering having a child.”
— Carrie Ruscheinsky, actor and producer

“In Asking for a Pregnant Friend, Bailey Gaddis has the best way of speaking the unspeakable and connecting us to the psychological aspects of pregnancy, which is vital for all mothers and moms-to-be to better prepare for and endure this monumental experience. I highly recommend reading this book!”
— Jennifer Ollestad, psychotherapist

“Bailey Gaddis has written the book every woman of childbearing age wants to curl up with and devour. This is the book that answers the juiciest questions, concerns, and what-the-hecks, and it’s written with the warmth of a knowing, open, hilarious friend. This book will liberate so many mothers.”
— Sophie Ward, author of Heart of Bold and founder of Milk + Seed