A brave and encouraging book. How complicated birth and genetic health can be. An insight into the strength and vulnerability of midwives on a rollercoaster of happiness and sorrow. I read late into the night and felt a traitor for turning over and putting out my light. How many days and nights of bone weary tiredness on a topsy turvy diet of chocolate and soup can the NHS staff cope with?

Fascinating, eloquent, moving and emotional.

This was a wonderful book about little miracles, stressful times, and tragic losses too. Some parts of the book were originally published as articles in eg. The Guardian, The Times, etc. An excellent book-not a particularly quick or easy read-it's quite in-depth, but my kind of book-I love medical memoirs. This has a sort of documentary style approach, which I liked.

The author is allowed to observe operations and procedures and writes about them in here. As well as interviewing others, she also has her own experiences to call on. Problems were detected with her own child before birth, and he spent many months in the care of NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Six years after her son's life was saved at birth, the author went back to the neonatal unit to research and interview for this book. She's had a sick baby, and a premature baby-so she knows what she's talking about, she's experienced it; been through many of the things the parents she interviews have. So honest, intelligent, highly detailed-but not just clinical-as this lady has gone through this as well as the people she interviews, her experiences and emotions are there too.

There are some terrible conditions. Conditions and procedures I'd not heard of before are detailed here. The history of this miraculous surgery, and its pioneers. All very well-researched.

An amazing book, it was incredibly interesting to me. Of course there are very hard times too. But amazing what can be done nowadays, I didn't know the half of it. For me, a totally fascinating book.

Truly fascinating yet human descriptions of the evolving science and human experience of families experiencing premature birth. The descriptions of foetal surgery are handled so deftly, really highlighting the stressful emotional decisions required. A potentially dry subject turned into an almost edge of your seat reading experience that stayed with me long after I finished reading.

Moving, emotional, eloquent, heart rending, poignant, inspiring, factual. Makes you thankful to be a parent

The story, this book tells is amazing, the sheer scope of the medical advancement, over the last twenty years is well documented here. It’s not just about the science, and the pioneering doctors, there is also the unashamedly human side to this story. The personal experiences of the author, and the mothers, fathers, doctors and nurses interviewed by her.

The balance of facts and case studies is good. The science is complex and will not suit everyone, but it is written, in an easy to understand way, and illuminated by personal experience. The ethical side of this medical advancement isn’t ignored, as the reader is presented with both the facts and the human outcomes.

The experiences of the parents, particularly the mothers is the best part of the book for me. They are courageous, honest and inspiring.

I received a copy of this book from Pan Macmillan - Bluebird via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is a really informative book about how far we have come with regards to medical procedures involving babies in utero. It is packed full of information so, to me, it reads more like a long article or research project.

It didn't capture me like the books I've read recently that are in a similar vein (Adam Kay's 'This Is Going To Hurt' and Leah Hazard's 'A Midwife's Story') and I found that it was hard to get into at first. I'd put it down a lot in favour of doing something else.

It's obvious that the author has done a lot of research into the pioneers of some of procedures that are outlined and the things that they have been able to do is amazing

This book is amazing. It is so informative of all the things you don’t think about when you have a baby if you have a ‘normal’ Baby. It’s amazing how medicine and science have come on and what an amazing job the doctors, nurses and mother do with these babies and children. This book even brought a tear to me eye at places.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a review copy of this book for an honest review.

This book looks at the history of childbirth, how neonatal care has evolved and how the future of neonatal care may look. However it isn’t a science or history book, but a diary of what happened to Olivia Gordon during her pregnancy and the years after. There are also stories about other families from across the world have also experienced how changes in medicine have helped babies survive.

I don’t have any personal experience of visiting a SCBU but my nephew had a couple of weeks in one after arriving early. It was fascinating to hear about how the care of the babies is evolving and to read about Joel’s journey.

I will be recommending this book to students who are looking to study medicine or nursing and to friends in the teaching profession.

Thank you to Olivia for sharing your story and educating the reader in this thought provoking book.

Such a beautiful, emotive book that provides a unique insight to neonatal medicine and the experiences of parents (including the author) of premature babies and those with medical/ congenital conditions. The breadth and depth of the conditions and procedures covered is extraordinary and provides an important window to a world that few are privy to but that deserves much understanding, focus and appreciation.
Unless your life has been affected by a child with a medical condition or a pregnancy with complications it's incredibly difficult to understand the overwhelming and life changing perspective it brings. This book is personal and detailed and the author manages to write with such emotion and observation of her own experience and that of others that it brings incredible insight. There are of course many harrowing and difficult events covered and it's hard to read at times but the advances in technology and treatment even within the last 40 years is incredible to read

A very moving and powerful account in the world of neonatal care and fetal medicine. Some emotional stories surrounding the smallest, and delicate lives of new born babies, and the difficulties they face when born too early. Or when the pregnancies don’t go how you would hope they would.

An inspirational and heartbreaking read.

'The First Breath' is a fascinating and brave look at the world of the youngest and most ill babies, before and after birth. As the mother of a 640g 28 week baby (now 18 and about to go to a top Uni), it was in turns reassuring and distressing to plunge back into that world. Gordon has shown the gritty and often unpleasant reality of life in Neonatal Intensive Care in a way I could never have found words for, she has a knack for painting harsh pictures with delicacy. It isn't all doom and gloom though, there is hope, happiness and often peace to be found in the darkest corners.

I am not a huge fan of the style, I found the constant switching back and forth from a chatty, casual mumsy style to the dry, academic tone to be highly irritating. It felt like two very different books had been cut up and jammed together, a feeling increased by some rambling and repetitions. However, the information was easy to digest and so interesting that this didn't put me off.

I was particularly impressed by the courage the mothers' showed in admitting their negative feelings and struggles to cope. I think more new mothers would cope better if they felt more able to say how they really felt, rather than what is expected.

Quite a bit of the history of fetal and neonatal medicine can be found in this book, and that was a real joy to read. I loved seeing what ideas and occurrences lead to the innovations we have now, and even to the point of seeing where we are going from here.

I found the book interesting, but it took some getting in to. It was very informative and the authors own experience of the subject matter was interesting.

This book presents a beautifully written and poignant account, not only of Mrs. Gordon's story of the birth and subsequent hospital care and lives of her two children, but also a recounting of other similar tales of hope, triumph, suffering, and sometimes death of other children with similar congenital difficulties. On this backdrop, she takes the reader through the history of prenatal medicine, especially over the past 30 years, which has allowed for these children, who would have once been considered incompatable with life, to live and, in many cases, thrive. Having experienced many of the things in this book first-hand, it hit especially close to home, but anyone can and should take the time to read this.

Equally fascinating and compelling. The First Breath by Olivia Gordon is a medical memoir with a difference. The book is focused on the cutting edge of medicine, the dramatic and often risky surgical techniques used in foetal and neonatal medicine, and was inspired by the author's personal experiences. Through interviews with doctors, nurses and parents she details case studies of the miraculous and the tragic, but the book is far more than a clinical account, there is a real emotion throughout , from the love and fear of the parents , often for a child they have not yet met. to the dedication and determination of the surgeons and nursing staff. Written with empathy, understanding and skill, I highly recommend this glimpse behind the operating theatre doors.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher,all opinions are my own.

This was an absolutely awe inspiring and humbling book to read. Learning about the history of prenatal medicine and surgery was fascinating, for example, ultrasound technology was inspired by the sinking of the Titianic and the technology that developed to detect icebergs! From detection of genetic disorders to surgery carried out in utero, it was astounding to read about the strides in technology that have been made. The future is almost certainly leading to gene therapy and gene editing with the ethical dilemmas these interventions throw up.

What made this book more than a history and discussion of medical advancement, was the fact that it was written by a mother whose unborn child received life saving surgery before birth. Joel was discovered to have a rare condition called Noonan's Syndrome and spent the first five months of his life in intensive neonatal care. Olivia Gordon documents this time with brutal honesty and discusses the feelings of guilt, grief, anxiety and loneliness that overshadowed the joy of giving birth. Any parent whose child has been born with complex needs necessitating the need for a prolonged hospital stay will surely relate and take comfort from her words and practical advice. And will also take hope from the story of Joel who was able to come home and live a full and meaningful life. Extensively researched and beautifully written.

Few things hit us with such poignancy and pathos than to see a tiny scrap of humanity being kept alive by technology. With all the tubes, wires and bleeping machinery and the skilled, intensive care these premature infants require. So imagine how it might feel to be an anxiously hovering parent, hoping and praying your born-too-soon baby survives and thrives.

This is the unwanted task assigned to Olivia Gordon and her husband as their son is treated fetally, and for prematurity and its attendant problems and needs. The mother in her felt it all. The journalist in her was brave enough to revisit this anguish a few short years later.

Given privileged access to staff, patients and parents on the Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Baby Unit where her son was born and treated, she shares their stories interwoven with her own. It makes for fascinating, heart-rending reading.

Although the medical staff and babies are the major players here, it's important to remember the mothers' needs as well. This quote reveals how vital it is: "In many cases (including my own), although a fetus is critically ill, the mother herself has no physical illness. But psychologically, she does need to be looked after; she herself is a high-risk case too."

And the problems don't cease once a child has been discharged. Home care continues as frightened parents learn how to rely on their own intuition and apply the skilled procedures they have been taught. It's a time where celebrations are muted, as recovery and ongoing care is often fraught with problems.

Before starting school, the author's son, Joel, had to answer a list of questions, one of which was stating what he was good at. She dutifully pens his response "Having operations." These innocently spoken words hold a huge weight of meaning, significance and pain for both of them.

It's a miracle that these little ones are able to be treated and live. Yet their ongoing difficulties can lead to them looking, acting and feeling different from their peers. There's a lot of catching up to do as well as challenges that endure, because "being different is a gift society is only just learning to value."

The families learn to adapt and adjust, as do the children as they grow up. Societal expectations or expressions can cause their own set of difficulties as she cites here: "But why should he have to be a ‘superhero’ or a ‘warrior’ or any of the other clichés with which people talk about children with health problems?"

They, like so many others, lived through the experience because they had to. Because "the only bravery of the fetal and neonatal units is simply getting through each day." In this riveting read, we take a ringside seat, and it's a privilege to have this deeply personal insight of what it is truly like.

I received a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in return for my honest independent review.
What a beautifully written,emotional and informative book.
This is an insightful look into how medicine has advanced in neonatal care. Having come from a Nursing background, I have seen vast changes and a first hand experience of such remarkable advances in general medicine. Therefore I was interested to learn more about neonatal care.
This book offers the real life stories of parents of children who have needed such care and I thank them for their bravery and honesty in sharing their stories.
At times this book is difficult to read due to the emotion it creates and for me that is why this book is so good. It also made me look at how society can negatively view disability and how all of us needs to look inside ourselves at our own beliefs.
This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.

This is an informative book about how fragile human life can be and how the medicines we can get today, help us cope with problems that pregnancy and child can bring. The parts of the book on medical history fascinated me. Also the decisions medical providers have to make on how to save lives on a daily basis.

This is a thought provoking, emotional insight into the challenges our Doctors, nurses etc take to care of our future generations. This is a beautifully written memoir which tells us of the authors experience with fetal surgery and neonatal care.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and the author Olivia Gordon for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fascinating, heartbreaking, amazing, unbelievable. Leaves me totally in awe of how lucky we are to have the nhs with the doctors looking for the next thing to save babies.

At first, this book wasn't what I expected since the wave of NHS staff telling their stories appeared but this was something fresher - the mother of a baby who had a medical condition. I loved how the personal stories moved me but at times there was a lot of medical knowledge that I felt could have been reduced and placed as part of the account rather than these long chapters on it.