Kid Gloves

Longer review forthcoming, but oh, the shudder of recognition that went through me at many points in this book! This is so true and so funny and so good. (Leaving my mini-review up, and adding what's below 2/3/20) CW on this book for fertility issues, difficult childbirth and maternal injury/serious illness, though nothing's super-graphic and it's definitely not gratuitous in any way. I am glad I didn't read this until after I was done having children, however, because yikes, Lucy went THROUGH IT to have Pal and the complete lack of concern shown by her doctors as she started to display textbook symptoms of pre-eclampsia was incredibly infuriating. Since that was one of my biggest fears during pregnancy, I'm just happy that I didn't read this then, because I would've been even more anxious than I already was. ANYWAY, enough about my medical paranoia. I love Lucy Knisley's art style (particular standout here: the section from her husband's perspective) and I really want to go back and read at least [b:Relish 15786110 Relish My Life in the Kitchen Lucy Knisley https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345686126l/15786110.SX50.jpg 21505033]. I also really liked how the chapters about her experiences were interspersed with pregnancy facts/history of medicine, and I thought it was all done in a fun way (as fun as possible when you're writing about the misogynist asshole who came up with the modern concept of “natural childbirth,” at least). This was so great and I can't wait to read the next book by Lucy Knisley.

A lot of my friends have had their first child last year, and after reading this book, my respect for mothers has grown immensely.

What a great story. I think I'll be giving this out to my expecting fiends. I wish I'd had this book when I was pregnant.

Yes, that's the birth experience...wild hormone changes...unexpected miscarriage...comments from others...unnecessary medical interventions...no doctor when you need him...doctors that don't listen to the patient...the agony of childbirth...the ecstasy of holding your baby. Whew. Lucy Knisley tells it like it is.