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In a recent episode of the Healthful Woman podcast, “Then Comes Baby, Part Two,” podcast host Dr. Nathan Fox and OB/GYN Dr. Jessica Vernon continue their conversation on her new book, “Then Comes Baby: An Honest Conversation About Birth, Postpartum, and the Complex Transition to Parenthood.”

About Dr. Jessica Vernon’s book

Dr. Vernon wrote “Then Comes Baby” to fill a gap she experienced in her own pregnancies. “I wanted to write the book that I wish I had when I was pregnant so that I didn’t feel the way I did when I was postpartum.” She explains that while many resources focus on creating a birth plan, fewer prepare patients for what may occur if things do not go as planned. She emphasizes that complications such as infertility, miscarriage, unplanned C-sections, and difficulties with breastfeeding are all very common, and knowing about what can happen can help prepare you for the unknown.

Then Comes Baby: An Honest Conversation About Birth, Postpartum, and the Complex Transition to Parenthood

Then Comes Baby is broken up into three parts, focusing on labor and birth, the postpartum period, and becoming a parent.

Part One: Labor and Birth

The book begins by discussing birth plans. Birth plans help patients feel prepared, but flexibility is essential. Hospital protocols and the unexpected often change delivery. She shares her own experience of having two C-sections, “I had two C-sections. My first was unplanned. No one in my family had had C-sections. I was so healthy. I worked out my whole pregnancy. I never thought I’d have a C-section, but I knew they happened. I was an OB. And so it wasn’t like the biggest deal to me when I ended up with the C-section. But I talked to people every day who are like, “I absolutely thought if I did everything right, there’s no way I would end up with the C-section.” She stresses that preparing for a variety of scenarios can reduce trauma when birth plans need to change.

Part Two: The Postpartum Period

The second part of the book focuses on the postpartum recovery. Recovery after childbirth is not only physical but also mental. In her book, she highlights that struggles are not limited to patients with limited resources. Healthcare providers and professionals with access to medical knowledge also experience postpartum difficulties.

Part Three: The Transition to Parenthood

Dr. Vernon also discusses “matrescence,” which is the transition to parenthood. She compares it to adolescent changes. Unlike adolescence, which occurs over several years, matrescence typically occurs within weeks or months. Some cultures have traditions that support new parents through this transition, but in many Western cultures, parents experience it alone. She shares, “We’re used to being very independent and being insular and living in our little family in our home. And often it’s the birth parent alone with or without a partner. They may not have any family nearby. They might not have other friends who’ve given birth. And so you’re trying to process this all in a bubble.” This lack of support can contribute to feelings of loneliness and difficulty adjusting after childbirth. This highlights the importance of supporting loved ones through this life transition.

Learn More

Listen to the full podcast episode on the Healthful Woman today. To learn more about birth, postpartum, and the transition to parenthood, read Dr. Jessica Vernon’s book, “Then Comes Baby: An Honest Conversation About Birth, Postpartum, and the Complex Transition to Parenthood.” If you are in need of pregnancy care, contact Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates in New York through the online contact form today.

Maternal Fetal Medicine blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!