Carry Me: Stories of Pregnancy Loss

(Paperback)

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After Frieda Hoffmans second miscarriage, she felt alone, ignorant, and overwhelmed with emotions. Finding little literature or support available, her entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and she decided to create the resource she wished shed had: real stories about pregnancy loss from real women without the off-putting lens of religion or academia so typical of the self-help genre.

Through Hoffmans own journey and those of nineteen women she interviewed, Carry Me explores universal themes of grief, bearing witness, transforming adversity into opportunity, and the paradox of feeling alone while sharing a common experience. The diverse women and narratives unpack the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of loss; notions of womanhood and motherhood; and the intersections of public health, body politics, and patient care. Readers are called to action to share their own stories in order to heal themselves and support others.

Nearly everyone knows someone affected by pregnancy loss, yet most of us are not comfortable, even in the relative safety of the company of friends and sisters, discussing this serious health issue. Its time to normalize the dialogue and help one another through our losses by sharing our resources, our wisdom, and our storiesby carrying one another.

Reviews

Carry Meis a welcome exploration of the intimate details and sociopolitical complexities of pregnancy loss. These twenty stories will leave you gasping, crying, and even laughing through grief, while also inspiring a sense of candidness and unabashed self-compassion.An important addition to the growing voices of grievers demanding more awareness, better care and open dialogue around miscarriage.

Jessica Zucker, Ph.D., author of I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement

Frieda Hoffman has not only written a beautiful and important book, she has written a book that does something few narratives dare: she casts light onto a subject so many keep hidden in the darkness, and guides readers, knowledgeably and tenderly, into a territory that one might just call Hope. This book is a gift.

Lee Daniel Kravetz, best-selling author ofStrange Contagion: Inside the Surprising Science of Infectious Behaviors and Viral Emotions and What They Tell Us About Ourselvesand coauthor ofSupersurvivors: The Surprising Link Between Suffering and Success

Pregnancy loss stubbornly remains woefully misunderstood, leaving parents-to-be unsupported and isolated in their grief. This is why Hoffmans compassionate book is of such great value: the stories she shares will resonate, make valuable connections and provide solace and soothing. They also educate, so please read them if you have had no experience of such loss yourself.

Julia Bueno, author ofThe Brink of Being: Talking about Miscarriage

Hoffman has found a way to call attention to what is normally termed womens issues, illustrating that it is in fact a public-health issue that must be addressed. This book offers insight into what women suffering pregnancy loss may be experiencing and the understanding that they are not alone.
Miriam Chickering, CEO, Nurses International

Finally! Weve needed this.Carry Meilluminates a topic so taboo it has rarely been openly discussed. This book is a gift for generations to come, revealing the full complexity of a common human event so that women no longer have to suffer in silence."
Bethany N. Golden, Womens Health Expert and Co-Founder of Juntos Adelante

Author Bio

Frieda Hoffman is a transformative coach and mediator, creative consultant, and entrepreneur with a passion for supporting women and courageous leadership. As a coach, she aspires to uplift her clients and break down the barriers that keep so many from stepping into their full potential. As a writer, she aims to cultivate compassion, strength, and a greater sense of connection, particularly for and amongst women. She holds an MA in social work and conflict management from Berlins Alice Salomon University, a dual BA in psychology and anthropology from Johns Hopkins University, and is an ICF Professional Certified Coach.. For more information, visit www.friedahoffman.com.. She resides in San Francisco, California.