There are so many things I could include in a prompt asking what I wish more books talked about. Everything from chronic illness to pain to neurodivergence to mental health. All of those are very much on my list. But I think, lately, the thing I feel is most noticeably thin on the ground is books about women’s health, particularly through the various stages of life. There are a decent number of books about pregnancy and parenting, but they’re mostly of the “how-to” variety, and often not written based on personal experience (men are notably present as authors of these books). But I want more about what it’s like to actually be a mother. What birth can be like, what pregnancy can be like, the various issues that can arrive and what it’s like to go through them. I want more honest information about what you need to know going into parenthood, the things to consider other than the stuff on paper (like space and costs and childcare). The emotional impact it can have, especially if you experience trauma or post-partum. How it actually physically changes the brains of primary caregivers and the impact that can have on your life. There are so many things I just didn’t even know to ask about or consider, because I had no idea they were… you know, THINGS. Which left me completely unprepared, and made things so very much harder. I didn’t know where to go for support or information, it was so overwhelming trying to sort through the mass of “expert” information that is completely contradictory. Mostly I felt like if there wasn’t info out there about what I was going through, then there must be something wrong with me. Which led to plenty more anxiety and lots of shame. If everyone else could just do this, why was it so hard for me? All that on barely any sleep while full of a truck load of hormones and recovering from major surgery. It was no picnic, and I wish I’d had more help sorting through things and understanding what was happening to me.
Further to that, however, I’m now entering my mid-life years, and again I’m finding myself facing things I didn’t know existed. I’ve heard of menopause, of course, so I know about the hot flashes and some of the physical changes. But I didn’t know much about perimenopause, nor did I know all the things that can happen during this time of life. Everything from mental issues (brain fog and forgetfulness), physical discomfort other than hot flashes (apparently itchy ears is a part of it?? How??), overwhelming fatigue but simultaneous difficulty sleeping, wildly fluctuating and more extreme emotions and worsening of existing mental conditions – I have ADHD and only just got diagnosed and medicated, but apparently that’s all going to go down the toilet as I age. And this is just a few things I’ve come across so far. Why did I not know any of this? Why wasn’t this covered in school? And why are there so few accounts of the nitty gritty of aging in a biologically female body? I know aging is hard for everyone, but seriously, come on. This is pushing it.
So that’s what I wish for at the moment. More information and experiences shared about women’s bodies and all the various changes they go through over the course of a life, with or without pregnancy. It’s a lot, and right now I’m feeling like I only just got things sort of figured out, and it’s so unfair that it’s all about to go to shit even worse than before! Why??? Who came up with this ridiculous plan??? I have some feedback, and it’s not good.
That’s me for this week. What did you choose for this prompt? Anyone else out there agree with my picks? I’d love to hear about it and hear recommendations for books on these topics if you have any!
Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge is a blog hop hosted every Wednesday by Long and Short Reviews. The weekly prompts range widely, including both book-related and non-book-related topics. The idea is to get bloggers to interact, share a bit about their lives and connect with other bloggers. Click here for the list of upcoming topics, and visit here to join in the fun!