Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy

Written by Angela Garbes

Narrated by Angela Garbes and Roxana Ortega

What to read after What to Expect . . . .  A badass, feminist, and personal deep-dive into the science and culture of pregnancy and early motherhood that debunks myths and dated assumptions, offering guidance and camaraderie to women navigating one of the biggest and most profound changes in their lives.

Like most first-time mothers, Angela Garbes was filled with questions when she became pregnant. What exactly is a placenta? How does a body go into labor? Why is breast best? What are the signs and effects of post-partum depression?

But as she discovered, it’s not easy to find satisfying answers. Your OB will cautiously quote statistics; online sources will scare you with conflicting and often inaccurate information; and even the most trusted books will offer information with a heavy dose of judgment. To educate herself, the food and culture writer embarked on an intensive journey of exploration, diving into the scientific mysteries and cultural myths that surround motherhood to find answers to her questions that had only previously been given through a lens of what women ought to do—instead of allowing them the freedom to choose the right path themselves.

In Like a Mother, Angela offers a rigorously researched and compelling look at the physiology, biology, chemistry, and psychology of pregnancy and motherhood, informed by research, reportage, and her own experience. With a journalist’s curiosity and discipline, a mother’s urgency, and a food writer’s insatiability, she explores the science behind the pressing questions women have about a number of subjects, including postpartum hormones, breast milk, and miscarriage.

Infused with candor and humor, born out of awe, appreciation, and understanding of the human body and its workings, Like a Mother is a full-frontal look at what’s really happening underneath your skin (and to it), and why women need to know.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jun 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9780062879592

Angela Garbes

Angela Garbes is the author of Like a Mother, an NPR Best Book of the Year and a finalist for the Washington State Book Award in nonfiction. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, The Cut, New York, and Bon Appétit, and has been featured on NPR’s Fresh Air. She lives with her family in Seattle.

Reviews for Like a Mother

[Charles Lane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is amazing! I’m not sure who this woman is but she is truly a blessing after 3min of listening I instantly fall in love!!! She was such an advocate for black women giving me history lessons I knew nothing about! I can’t stress this enough screw what to expect when your expecting get this book she’s all youll need!

[Elizabeth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

very informative book that teaches important lessons about the pregnancy process and first few months after giving birth

[Sian Thomas · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed the first two thirds of this book, but got quite bored towards the end.

[Katarzyna Gielnik · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written personal approach to the subject, supported by many scientific and professional references. Good for expecting people, mothers and all who wants to understand the issues better.

[Danna · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I personally was bored by the topic and how the author approached iy. The narration is fine, though.

[Brian Banks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely adored this book. I wish I had read it before I had my two children, the subject matter is so fascinating to me and I flew through this book wishing the author was my best friend.

[April Kerwood · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So good. Informative and entertaining . Highly recommend. Great book.

[Kimha Nguyen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This audiobook was informative, but I was bothered by the angry tone of the book. It gave me a lot to think about and was reassuring of some facts that I questioned. It was not as entertaining despite being partly anecdotal.

[Shanika Morgan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Authentic interpretation of pregnancy at different ages or stages in one’s life. A thoughtful approach to introducing new subject matter for readers to be informed about.

[noeshia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pretty good audiobook, I already knew a lot of the material in here, but I enjoyed the narrative anyway.

[klmesoftly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've never given birth, and never intend to, but this was an incredibly interesting book about how much we know (and don't know) scientifically about the mechanisms of pregnancy and motherhood. As a non-mother I would compare its appeal to a Mary Roach book - individual chapters dig into the study (and lack of study) of the placenta, breast milk, pelvic floors, miscarriages, etc. It's all fascinating and gross and amazing.

[citizenjoyce · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is for anyone at all interested in bearing and nurturing children - I was a labor and delivery nurse so that includes me in a big way - this book answers questions you probably hadn't even known to ask. How does a placenta work? How is it possible for a woman to have male cells in her body decades after giving birth? How does breastfeeding work, and how is it tailored to the individual child? Five stars and more from me.