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Ghostbelly

By: Elizabeth Heineman
Narrated by: Coleen Marlo
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Publisher's summary

Ghostbelly is Elizabeth Heineman’s personal account of a home birth that goes tragically wrong—ending in a stillbirth—and the harrowing process of grief and questioning that follows. It’s also Heineman’s unexpected tale of the loss of a newborn: before burial, she brings the baby home for overnight stays.

Does this sound unsettling? Of course. We’re not supposed to hold and caress dead bodies. But then again, babies aren’t supposed to die.

In this courageous and deeply intimate memoir, Heineman examines the home-birth and maternal health-care industry, the isolation of midwives, and the scripting of her own grief. With no resolution to sadness, Heineman and her partner learn to live in a new world: a world in which they face each day with the understanding of the fragility of the present.

©2014 Elizabeth Heineman (P)2014 Audible Inc.
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What listeners say about Ghostbelly

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Deeply Moving and Thought Provoking

I often felt as if I was walking in Elizabeth's shoes as I listed to this memoir. I was sad and cried a lot throughout the book, but I kept wanting to hear more. I often found myself tuning out the world around me as I listened to the voice that I thought of as Elizabeth, although I knew it wasn't. I am glad that it wasn't the ending I expected, but still one that put joy into Elizabeth and Glen's lives. I am training to be a bereavement doula, and I truly feel that I have a much deeper understand of loss, grief, and mourning now-to help me to support those suffering through it. Thank you so much for sharing your story. And happy belated 9th Birthday Thor! I will always be reminded of him when I hear that name. ❤

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Healing

As a mother of a child lost too soon (and also lost my mother within the same month) it is healing to also listen to a life experience of suddenly and great loss. The narrator was amazing. I did listen to it sped up because I was trying to cram it before a therapy appointment.

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great story, mediocre performance

Midwifery, a frequently used word, is mispronounced. Shouldn't a voice over actor know, or check on things like this? And if not, then the producer.

This is a great story, and a great service to women.

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Required reading for Doulas and anyone companioning the bereft

As a life-span doula I am grateful to the author for sharing her story of losing Thor and the ensuing grief with such raw insight and open hearted truth. Her words penetrated my soul.
I consider this required reading for Doulas and anyone companioning the bereft following pregnancy or infant loss.

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