Transformed by Birth

Cultivating Openness, Resilience, and Strength for the Life-Changing Journey from Pregnancy to Parenthood

By: Britta Bushnell PhD

Narrated by: Britta Bushnell PhD

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

“Transformed by Birth is the much-needed remedy for all of us striving to do motherhood ‘right.’” (Ellie Knaus, founder and host of the Atomic Moms podcast) 

As expecting parents, you have access to more information than ever about the “right” approach to pregnancy and childbirth, and you’re likely bombarded by a multitude of opinions about how to give birth. How do you navigate the oceans of information and opinions to discover what matters most to you personally while also preparing for the incredible transformation that can come from bringing a child into this world? With Transformed by Birth, unabridged and read by the author, Dr. Britta Bushnell has created the transformative, intelligent, and empowering pregnancy and childbirth guide you’ve been waiting for. 

This audiobook embraces birth as a rite of passage in which you open to the unbidden, embody your own wisdom, and gain freedom from limiting beliefs. 

Parents giving birth today do so within a society highly influenced by underlying ideals - including a need for control and certainty, vilification of pain, and reverence for intellectual knowledge and technology, among others. Dr. Bushnell brings clarity and awareness to these foundational ideals and offers daily practices, rituals, exercises, and more to help you cultivate resilience, power, and connection during this transformative time. 

Childbirth is more than just having a baby. Transformed by Birth invites you to discover that childbirth is an experience that alters your knowing of who you are and lasts long after pregnancy and birth are over.

©2020 Britta Bushnell, PhD (P)2020 Sounds True

Critic Reviews

“Britta Bushnell has created a unique book that switches the conversation from the minutia of what happens when you have a baby to the identity-changing transformation that takes place when you become a parent. Its pages are filled with simple yet magnificently profound tools to help you truly prepare for the changes that take place in the mythic space of birth, or as Britta poignantly notes, that place ‘where you are no longer not a parent and not yet one either.'” (Adriana Lozada, AdvCD (DONA), seasoned doula and host of the Birthful podcast)

“Britta, your words are so needed in the conversation around birth and parenting. My first response to reading this book is ‘This is what I want every birthing person to hear.’ Your words are full of truth spoken in compassion. I appreciate your honesty about all kinds of births and parenting experiences having the ability to transform a person and removing the shame from the ‘non-ideal’ birth outcome.” (Sarah Obermeyer, CNM, PhD, WHNP-BC, IBCLC)

“Britta taught me how to be a birth warrior and I can honestly say, I used Every. Single. Thing I learned in her class during the birth process. I truly don’t know how I could have done it without her guidance and the strength of my fellow warrior mamas cheering me on in spirit.” (Natalie Zea, actress, The Detour)

Made for a less traumatic birth

This book made me understand what happens physiologically and chemically during pregnancy and birth. It even inspired me to hire a doula, which was the best decision I made! It helped me to write a comprehensive birth plan and made me feel confident advocating for myself. Highly recommend.

3rd time mom and still gained valuable insight

I found myself laughing and crying alongside the beautiful words of Dr. Britta. As a 3rd time mom preparing for another homebirth, I learned such valuable tools and lessons, and took time to reflect on my journey thus far, and set intentions for where I want to go in the future. Thanks for this wonderful book!

I rarely write reviews

I’ve been a birth doula and educator for 20 years and have never read a book about preparing for birth or parenthood that hit the mail so squarely on the head. There were so many things articulated here that I’ve been trying to express for years, and this book is now required reading for clients who want to work with me. I feel so relieved it exists, and feel that it’s the number one best preparation for the transformation that happens that I’ve ever seen. I also specifically recommend my clients listen to the book, because Britta has a perfect reading voice and I felt that added to the experience for me.

Must read!

This is a must read for any mama or mama to be. I wish I had this book during my first pregnancy but I'm glad it was released during my second pregnancy. Its shed so much light on my transition into motherhood and is helping to prepare for this next go around. Also so thankful for Britta to have narrated her book!

A must read for expectant parents

In my 5 years of work as a doula, I rarely come across a book that prepares people for the emotional and spiritual aspect of birth in such an in-depth and creative way. This inclusive book walks you through how to deal with the highs and lows of pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. It is a must read for people who are planning for an unmedicated birth, a cesarean birth, a medicated birth, and even those who are unsure. I have worked with about half a dozen families who have either read this book or taken Britta's in person class, and they are by far the most prepared for the journey that lies ahead. You will not regret this one.

Meh

As a first time expecting mother, I find this hard to listen to. A bit negative and scary although I’m sure an accurate depiction…. I just didn’t enjoy listening personally. I was hopeful for something a bit more positive, uplifting and encouraging in order to prepare for birth. I stopped listening after chapter 2 because it felt like a chore and I didn’t come away feeling good or inspired after a listening session.

Wow!

I read a lot of pregnancy/birth books and this by far is the only one that I found helpful! Britta prepares you emotionally for both labor and birth as well as postpartum.
My doula and I laughed because I was recounting parts of this book while in labor it had that much of a profound effect on me.

What every new parent should read

An accurate description of what to expect and how to plan appropriately for first time parents (even a great refresher with new insights and perspectives for not first timers). She lays the foundation for realistic expectations with a healthy dose awe, mystery, mythic parallels, and truthful honesty instead of all the willful ignorance that is standardly perpetuated. It’s not all smiles and joy. She readily explains the dichotomy that is parenthood, holding the tension of opposites, and doing justice to be honest with the process and experiences to prepare parents to be.

n Absolutely beautiful!

As a childbirth educator, I would highly recommend this book to every expectant couple. It includes everything I hope to relay to my clients and more. It gets us thinking about more than just the birth and prepares us for the bigger picture of parenthood and our relationship post baby. I couldn't put it down and shared with many clients. Do yourself a favor, and explore this book.

Not just for birthing parents!

At my suggestion, my book group, a dozen women between the ages of 60 and 90, recently read this book because I love it so much. I was worried there would be nothing for us, who had given birth decades ago, but the cultural ideals are still around us, decades later! The reminders for the path of parenting apply to grand parenting, getting old, and life in general. We still need openness, resilience and strength, no matter where we are in weaving the tapestry of our lives (a metaphor the author uses that brought much meaning to the end of the book).

I recommended the book to a family member whose partner had died recently and they read it with keen interest in how the ideals and practices applied to the transformation they are experiencing.

The author narrates the book in a warm, conversational manner that made me feel like I was in her physical presence. Her personal stories made me smile as she reveals her own struggles.

A valuable book at any stage of life. Listen to it!