Tending to Your Womb: Self-Care for Every Stage of Your Reproductive Journey, No Matter the Outcome

Ukpe-Wallace, an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist, debuts with a compassionate overview of reproductive health. She begins by encouraging readers to get to know their bodies and outlines the parts of the female reproductive anatomy, explaining that being in tune with one’s body can help establish a baseline for what’s normal and what isn’t. Emphasizing that “the womb is not separate from the body,” she details its connections to other body parts, like the brain and heart (high blood pressure, for example, impacts the uterus greatly, potentially leading to preterm labor). Elsewhere, she discusses factors that promote fertility, like getting adequate sleep, minimizing stress, and eating well, and explains common pregnancy complications, including miscarriage and placental abnormalities. Discussing the grief that comes with pregnancy loss, she shares her own experience with stillbirth and miscarriage and encourages readers to rely on daily routines to stay grounded. A successful birth is still possible after pregnancy loss, she notes; after fibroid surgery, she got pregnant and gave birth to her daughter. She concludes by offering advice for caring for the body during postpartum and menopause. Throughout, Ukpe-Wallace maintains an encouraging yet realistic tone, acknowledging a successful pregnancy isn’t in the cards for everyone. Readers will find this a helpful resource. (Apr.)