Courageously Expecting: 30 Days of Encouragement for Pregnancy After Loss

Albers, a contributor at the Pregnancy After Loss Support website, debuts with a heartfelt collection of a month’s worth of daily reflections, offering hope and encouragement for those trying to conceive or carry a birth to term following pregnancy loss. Albers thought she and her husband had their family neatly planned out, envisioning three years between each birth of a crew of kids. But just as her first child, a daughter, approached her third birthday, Albers had two losses in a row: first an ectopic pregnancy, then a stillbirth. Drawing on ample scriptural sources, she helps readers find the courage to pursue and embrace pregnancy after loss, even if they cannot be sure they will carry to term, since “God promises to restore every broken thing, including your motherhood.” Albers shares prayers that soothed her as she overcame her own doubt, envy, grief, guilt, and feelings of being misunderstood. She encourages the treasuring of memories, such as a positive pregnancy test or the first heartbeat recorded, while anticipating a heavenly reunion. Moving forward, she emphasizes how something as simple as purchasing nursery decor can help restore hope. “Loss doesn’t discriminate,” she writes, while Psalm 126:5 promises “those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” These pages will offer much balm to uncertain expecting mothers. Agent: Blythe Daniel, the Blythe Daniel Agency. (Jan.)