Past Due: A Story of Disability, Pregnancy, and Birth

Rating:
Summary: A very thought-provoking book
Review: This was one of these books that made me stay up way too late because I couldn't put it down. The author tells the story of the birth of her child. A story that should be simple enough but, like most things in life that touch us deeply, it isn't. Her prior experiences of dealing with polio and her involvement in the pro choice / reproductive rights movement contribute to her decision on a home birth. When she and her baby experience severe complications, she faces the possibility of having a child with a disability. Apart from being very well written it engaged me into many silent arguements with the author on the very political but yet so personal issues of abortion, disability, birthing...It made me tink again about my own life-experiences with infertility, high risk pregnancy and dissability-rights (I have a close familymember, who is very involved). It reminded me how important choices and taking control are. And it reminded me that choices and control often turn out to be illusion. I highly recommend this book to anyone, who is interested in issues of disability and reproduction or who enjoys autobiographies. Your opinions might differ from those of the author but it will definetly be food for thought.