January Birthworker Bookclub: Fiction Reads

What we see, we believe. What we can’t see, we don’t believe. It's a major premise of learning and socialization.  So if we only consume media--TV, movies, music, books--by those who resemble us, our view of the world can be narrowed. In another post, I gave you a New Years Resolution that is easy, rewarding and supports any other goal you might have.  Read a freaking book.  Or 2. Or 20.  Specifically, read books that will help you feel engaged and connected with the important work birthworkers of all kinds, but especially hospital OB nurses, have in front of us. A great place to start is with fiction. It might not seem like the first type of book you’d grab to become a better OB Nurse, but the fiction we choose makes a huge impact on our ability to be an empathetic nurse, caring for a diverse population.  Look at your bookshelf.  Notice the authors.  Mostly men or mostly women? Mostly American or other nationalities? Mostly white or mostly POC? When I looked at my shelf a few years ago, it was primarily inhabited by books by authors who were white and American. Now, all but a few are by women of color. Reading a diverse authorship is an important step to take to become a more conscious and informed nurse.  It’s a tool to help us navigate our personal identity and privilege. It helps us see how we intersect with people, histories and systems that extend beyond us.  

My Top 4 Fiction Books, Plus One I’m Really Looking Forward to Reading

1. Conjure Women by Afia Atakora

My handsdown favorite book of the year. This book impacted me in so many ways.  For fiction, I sure learned a lot. While slavery was always painted in broad strokes in school, this book focuses on two healing women on a plantation leading into the Civil War, which was profoundly relatable and touching. Themes that I’d always *known* on an intellectual level, like generational trauma, and appropriation and colonization of black birthing traditions by modern white midwives and birthworkers, went from my head to my body by the end of this book.  

2. After Birth by Elisa Albert

It's rare to find novels that reflect childbirth and the aftermath. It’s maybe not for everyone (there's a lot of language) and Ari, the main character, is not likable.  This is a very realistic depiction of postpartum depression, fueled by birth trauma, isolation, and attachments issues, so depending on your own birth/early parenting experience it may be shocking, triggering, or affirming. Regardless, we’ve all had that patient who shares with us the terrible tale of a previous birth gone wrong, at another hospital (this happens ALL THE TIME on my unit), or maybe who is just aggressively opposed to anything you have to say or offer. 

3 and 4. Homegoing & Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

The story of two sisters and the parallel’s of their lives and following eight generations after them. As you work through the generations, you feel so much connection to each new character, because you know who and what they came from.  It’s hard to say more, but this book won hella awards.  Transcendent Kingdom by Gyasi is the book I’m most excited to read in 2021 and I’ll definitely review it for you as soon as I’m done.

5. You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria

Okay, as you make your way through all the books in the list, you will eventually need a break from heavier themes. Decolonizing your bookshelf should be pleasurable and books like this will remind you of that. Not alot about pregnancy or birth here, just a really good (and steamy!) book, depicting realistic Latinx characters by a Latinx author. Then pass it on to all your co-workers, like I did.  Especially you night shift nurses...I see you! I know the kind of stuff you talk about when its slow!

There you have it, my book-loving birthworker! Five books to get you going! And once you dive into one of these titles, share your latest read on Instagram and use the hashtag #birthworkerbookclub to let us know.

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