After the Storm: Postnatal Depression and the Utter Weirdness of New Motherhood

Description

"How did it come to this? I am tough, I am smart, I have lived alone. Now I am cracking, right down the middle..." Six months after the birth of her son, Emma Jane Unsworth finds herself in the eye of a storm. Nothing - from pregnancy to birth and beyond - has gone as she expected. A birth plan? It might as well have been a rough draft! Furious and exhausted, her life is the complete opposite of what it used to be. She's swapped all night benders for a grazed labia and Whac-a-Moling haemorrhoids. How did she end up here? In this brave and hilarious account of postnatal depression, Emma tells her story of despair and recovery. She tackles the biggest taboos around motherhood and mental health, from botched stitches and bleeding nipples to anger and shame. How does pregnancy adapt our brains? Is postnatal depression a natural reaction to the trauma of modern motherhood? And are people's attitudes finally changing? Dazzling and vital, After the Storm is a celebration of survival, holding out a hand to women everywhere.

Emma Jane Unsworth is an award-winning novelist and screenwriter. Her first novel, Animals, now a major motion picture, for which Unsworth wrote the screenplay. The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2019. She also writes for television and various magazines. Her latest novel, Adults, has been heralded 'hilarious' (Dolly Alderton), 'tender' (Jessie Burton) and 'dazzling' (Marian Keyes) and is a Sunday Times bestseller.

A beautifully-written, raw - and totally relatable - account of new motherhood that had me laughing and crying in equal measures. Emma Jane Unsworth is the real deal -- CHRISTIE WATSON This is a brave and important work. Unsworth is unflinchingly honest about her experiences, and her beautiful, hilarious, clever writing elevates her story into something universal ... I loved this book -- CLOVER STROUD Puts into language an experience almost impossible to describe; I am so grateful for this beautiful, honest book. It has helped me immeasurably -- PANDORA SYKES An excellent book. Truth and power and lots of LOLs too. I loved it. Emma Jane Unsworth is a wonder -- AMY LIPTROT This book is truly brilliant. Packed with intense bursts of knowledge, understanding and humour. Unsworth's style is so direct and approachable, this book is the best company for anyone going through the loneliness and isolation of new motherhood. This book will make new mums feel accompanied, which is the most sacred thing -- JENN ASHWORTH A breath-takingly brave and honest memoir of motherhood's darkest moments, by turns hilarious, heart-breaking and wise. After The Storm should be required reading for birthing people and their partners, and for those who support and care for them -- LEAH HAZARD, author and midwife A brilliant, deeply personal and honest book from a writer who is an expert at being humane, funny and vulnerable -- NIKESH SHUKLA Funny, gruelling, wonderful. I felt as though I were with her every step of the way. I loved it -- CLAUDIA HAMMOND This great, brave and brilliant book will really resonate with anyone who has/had PND (or those around them who - hopefully - will want to try and understand) -- NADIA SHIREEN A compulsive read, one that any mother will recognise parts of herself within, even if she has not, like Unsworth, experienced brutal PND * Irish Independent * Postnatal depression is not supposed to make you laugh but brutal honesty and dazzling humour are part of Emma Jane Unsworth's award-winning literary arsenal ... Her first foray into non-fiction is a brave and compelling part memoir, part manifesto ... Within 140-pages Emma has wrung herself out, taken us to the darkest corners of her mind and made us laugh at the sheer madness of new motherhood * Marie Claire * Dazzling ... skewers the injustices and quirks of maternity, from how women are treated as public property from the minute they conceive to the absurdity of "rock 'n' roll Baby Sensory" classes. But its emotional directness is what bowls you over the most -- Gwendolyn Smith * The i * Refreshing, brave and often funny ... This is a true celebration of survival * Woman's Own * Funny and perceptive ... Oh, what a book ... Articulately capturing the sense of despair, exhaustion and disappointment brought on by motherhood even when you love the child you've created, [this book] delves deeper into what happens to women's bodies and brains - as well as the physical scars and huge emotions - with humour and scientific insight -- Francesca Brown * Stylist * A call to arms to centre the mental health of new mothers and push back against the taboos that force so many to feel they must suffer in silence * Refinery29 *