unexpecting
real talk on pregnancy loss
When your baby dies, you find yourself in a life you never expected. And even though pregnancy and infant loss are common, they’re not common to you. Instead, you feel like a stranger in your own body, surrounded by well-meaning people who often don’t know how to support you.
What you need during this time is not a book offering easy answers. You need a safe place to help you navigate what comes next.
In Unexpecting, bereaved mom Rachel Lewis is the friend you never knew you’d need, walking you through the unique grief of baby loss. When nothing about life after loss makes sense . . . this book will.
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You need a safe place to help you navigate what comes after loss, such as:
- Coping with a postpartum body without a baby in your arms.
- Facing social isolation and grief invalidation.
- Wrestling with faith when you feel let down by God.
- Dealing with the overwhelming process of making everyday decisions.
- Learning to move forward after loss.
- Creating a legacy for your child.
When nothing about life after loss makes sense . . . this book will.
“Rachel’s book provides a much-needed resource for a common, yet rarely spoken of, time in many women’s lives. She speaks tenderly and yet candidly about the physical and emotional experience of losing a baby, providing reassurance to any parent who reads her words. I have had multiple children pass away at various ages, and this book would have been an invaluable resource during those times.”
Unexpecting Book Discussion Community —
Join us for a not so average book club.
New group starting October 17!
Why a discussion community?
This book reaches the depths of our losses and the heights of our love. It explores the science behind grief and the intangible algorithm of faith (or no faith). It talks about the loss of our old normal and the creation of the new. In short — it’s a comprehensive resource on what to expect when you are no longer expecting.
And that’s why having someone hold your hand through the reading process — someone who has been there both personally and professionally — is an invaluable companion to this book.
What Past participants are saying
“My experience in the Unexpecting community group was so incredible!! I have healed more in these couple of weeks than I have in a long time. It has been so healing to be among mommas who ‘get it.’ I will cherish this experience forever.”
“If I was going to say something to a friend considering joining this group in the future, I would say ‘Run! Don’t walk!!’ I loved the poems and the mindfulness. Participating in this group has reminded me that I need to take care of myself. “
“Having space to actually process parts of the book that were meaningful, sharing space and stories with others was an impactful part of this group experience. It was refreshing, a breath of fresh air to be in good company with others that GET IT. If you are considering joining this discussion group, it’s worth it … you will be surprised by the comfort you feel in this space.”
“This group was a comfortable space to just share or listen, no pressure at all. The sharing and non-judgmental deep listening helped me feel heard and validated. I highly recommend joining, in my experience it was truly a safe and brave space.”
Early bird pricing ends Sept. 30.
Get a Free Bonus Chapter
Get the extra chapter, “How to Support a Loved One Through Baby Loss”.
Testimonials
Sarah Philpott
Sarah Philpott, PhD, founder of Loved Baby Support Group, author of Loved Baby
Heather Morgan Shott
“Rachel Lewis is a powerful storyteller. Part of what makes her writing so captivating is that she holds nothing back, sharing experiences and the resulting emotions that so many women can relate to (pregnancy loss, self-doubt, sadness) but are unable to talk about themselves. Her voice represents all of us who have lost a child. I would snap up her book in an instant!”
Heather Morgan Shott, former editor in chief of Momtastic and Today Show contributor
Mike Berry
“Rachel Lewis does a masterful job of portraying the heartbreaking reality of miscarriage, infertility, and loss with an honesty and rawness that draws readers in and lets them know they are not alone. But, in a stunning way, she weaves a beautiful tapestry of hope and strength, even through the darkness, through her words in Unexpecting. This is a must-read for any person who has personally gone through this type of loss.”
Mike Berry, author of Winning the Heart of Your Child
Meredith Ethington
“I personally haven’t experienced pregnancy loss, but Rachel’s words always draw me in and captivate the readers on our website. She has a way of igniting compassion for those who have dealt with loss while simultaneously teaching and leading gently through a topic many people see as taboo. Her words captivate and teach all at the same time, and I have no doubt that her message will help many people.”
Meredith Ethington, author, Mom Life; editor, That’s Inappropriate
Kim Nowlin
“The journey after pregnancy loss is often a lonely, unlit path, full of the unknown. Through her writing, Rachel becomes a gentle guide for the reader—shining a light on the path and leading them through the twists and turns that follow loss. As a woman who has experienced pregnancy loss firsthand, I found encouragement and hope in Rachel’s story and her trust in God throughout her journey.”
Kim Nowlin, life coach and former pastor
Rachel Whalen
“After experiencing miscarriage and stillbirth, I searched for community and that is exactly what I found while reading Unexpecting. Rachel’s writing is validating of an experience that others urge you to ignore. She helps you embrace the heartbreak of loss and reminds you that you’re not alone in doing so.”
Rachel Whalen, author of An Unexpected Family Outing blog
Kathi Lipp
“The power in Rachel’s story is matched only by the strength of her writing. Her ability to connect at a soul level with her readers is a rare gift. Hurting moms will be heartened by her message of hope, hard-earned through her own struggles to build a family.”
Kathi Lipp, Bestselling author
“Rachel Lewis has created THE guide that all parents experiencing pregnancy loss need when leaving the hospital grief-stricken, without a baby in their arms. In Unexpecting, Rachel wraps you in a warm embrace and takes your hand as she gently walks you—the newly bereaved—through your heartbreaking ‘new normal’ of what to expect when you are no longer expecting.”
Unexpecting Book Launch Raises Funds to Donate 80 Books to Bereaved Families through Mommies Enduring Neonatal Death (M.E.N.D.)
When I conceived of my book launch, I had hoped to include some of the local resources that serve the bereaved community. And so, I invited MEND to share about their mission. And we used giveaways from our sponsors to raise funds during the event for books for MEND chapters.
In all, between sponsors and attendees, I was able to sign and give 80 books to MEND! Since this chapter was my initial support following my first loss, knowing that my book will be serving the next generation of families through MEND means so much to me.
If you are associated with an organization that serves the bereaved community in any way — including grief support, medical support, or even spiritual support — and you would be interested in a bulk discount rate for your organization, please reach out to me at rachel@thelewisnote.com.
And a huge thank you to attendees and the sponsors below for making the official book launch for Unexpecting so much more than just a launch.
A special thanks to the Scott David family for all of their support.
About the Author
Rachel Lewis
Rachel Lewis is a foster, adoptive and birth mom. After a 5-year battle with secondary infertility and the losses of five babies during pregnancy, she now has three children in her arms and a foster son in her heart.
As the founder of the Facebook support group Brave Mamas, she is passionate about helping others through their grief. She is a contributor to Still Standing Magazine, Pregnancy After Loss Support, and Filter Free Parents. Rachel holds bachelor’s degrees in Theology, Bible, and Speech Communications.
When she’s not chauffeuring her kids around, you can find her shopping at Trader Joes for the best gluten-free treats, drinking iced coffee, or writing about grief and healing on her blog at The Lewis Note.
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