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

An Unmissable Memoir for Summer 2021, Stylist A Hot Summer Book, Refinery29

‘I am so grateful for this beautiful, honest book. It has helped me immeasurably’ - Pandora Sykes ‘I loved this book’ - Clover Stroud ‘Totally relatable … had me laughing and crying in equal measures’ - Christie Watson

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 grazed labia and Whac-a-Moling haemorrhoids. How did she end up here?

In this brave, vital 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?

After the Storm is a celebration of survival, holding out a hand to women everywhere.

‘This book will make new mums feel accompanied, which is the most sacred thing’ - Jenn Ashworth ‘Hilarious, heart-breaking and wise’ - Leah Hazard, midwife and author ‘Truth and power and lots of LOLs too. I loved it’ - Amy Liptrot ‘A brave and compelling part memoir, part manifesto’ - Marie Claire