3.5 stars: I appreciate the authors honesty about her pregnancy journey and the hardships she endured. I actually related with several of the things the author experienced including constant nausea, early birth, traumatic c-section, and just the overall disappointment of the pregnancy, birth, and after birth. Because of the similarities, I know the author could have gotten a lot more raw and detailed with the struggles she faced. This felt honest but glossed over.

Misleading title and misleading synopsis. This story is said to prepare women for every possible event ahead and during pregnancy, but it’s just one women’s briefly told birth story, that provides no methods of support or guidance for anyone facing similar things that she went through and the way it was told would create more fear than actually assisting in preparing one for creating life.

This is in no way a rating or review on her birth story, I just think the title and synopsis should reflect what this really is. It is not a book I would ever recommended to expectant mothers as it could be very triggering and without scientific information along side the complications that were shared, could provide misleading information and unnecessary unease.

Thank-you NetGalley, Victory Editing and Chantal for an Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very eye opening book and it had me thinking a lot. It is sad, emotional, happy, and brave. I like the scenarios given, and I like how it was also a vulnerable book. It was good!

When expecting is not what you expected by Chantal Agapiti is only 50 pages long so it's a quick read.

The author and main character has hyperemesis, which is extremely bad 24/7 morning sickness. For her it lasted for the whole first trimester but could last the entire pregnancy. During her second trimester she starts to feel much better, and is able to go back to work. She describes her traumatic birth but thankfully her and her baby were ok.
The author went on to have a second child shortly after the first, but thankfully this pregnancy was completely different. This goes to show each pregnancy can be completely different.

Thank you Chantal Agapiti for sharing your story. Thank you for also partnering with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publication company for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review*

When I saw this book, I thought I was uniquely qualified to provide a review about this topic. Why? Because I’m pregnant - I’m 23 weeks pregnant at the time of writing this review as a high risk pregnancy due to my weight.

I am a preparer - I am somebody who wants to hear everybody’s birth stories and traumatic experiences revolving around pregnancy and childbirth so that I can prepare myself for worst case scenario.

The book was incredibly short - only about 50 pages via my EBook. This meant that it had not a lot of time to be nauseatingly honest while still packing a punch and honestly, I think it did a good job of doing that. There were times that I wish the book was expanded upon and included more people’s experiences but overall, it was an incredibly informative book about HER experience. Which is right up my alley.

I will say - there were times that she could have expanded upon herself and what was going on. I wish she had provided more scientific stuff when she was explaining her pregnancy complications or even slowed down a bit to expand upon the experience. But it did feel a bit realistic because the entire experience from her perspective was incredibly fast.

I would not recommend this book to all expectant mothers - this book can be incredibly triggering for those experiencing their own complications, and doesn’t do super well with expectant mothers who are incredibly anxious throughout their pregnancy. It does bring a sense of distrust in doctors which is understandable but maybe not the headspace you want to be in throughout your pregnancy.

Overall, my rating is going to 3 stars. I enjoyed the book but I really think it could have benefited from being expanded upon. It felt incredibly glossed over and rushed and I wanted to get into the meat of it. I wanted her to go through her pregnancy a bit slower and truly walk me through what was happening as it happened.

This book was a great eye opener for me as someone who wants to have children one day. I knew there were pregnancy complications but I like how the author explained everything that was easy for someone who doesn’t know to understand. I think my thing is that the story wasn’t as full and detailed as I think it should’ve been ? To me, it came off like some of the complications could’ve been avoided which I’m sure wasn’t the case but it read like that due to the way it was worded. If the author ever decided to write a more descriptive version, I would definitely read that too!

When Expecting Is Not What You Expected is an account of one woman’s experiences in pregnancy and it subsequent complications. Told as a warning of sorts to other would-be moms, Chantal Agapiti recounts her experiences with both her first and second pregnancies. She poses her recollections as a type of preparation for parenthood, as it was not what she was expecting.

I love reading memoirs and I did enjoy this very short telling of pregnancies. I think it can be beneficial for women to tell their stories, and for other women to know the possibilities of what can happen. I was however, a bit frustrated by the lack of technical terms used, as vague descriptions will not be helpful to readers trying to prepare for their own delivery experience (i.e. membrane sweep versus internal movements).

Chantal navigates hyperemesis gravidarum, something that I haven’t seen written about much, as well as preterm birth and difficulties breastfeeding. I ultimately wished this book were longer so we could get to know Chantal, her husband, and the totality of her experiences better than just scraping the surface. There is a level of intimacy presented, but it felt too short and unexplored to me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author Chantal Agapiti for an ARC of When Expecting Is Not What You Expected in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an excellent resource for women navigating the journey of pregnancy and motherhood, especially those who appreciate an honest and candid portrayal of the experience. It delves into both the highs and lows, the expected and unexpected aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and the early stages of parenthood.

The author does not shy away from discussing the physical and emotional challenges that can arise during this transformative period, offering readers a relatable and authentic perspective. It's a valuable companion for expectant mothers seeking reassurance, support, and a realistic understanding of what to expect as they embark on this new chapter in their lives.

Chantal's raw, unvarnished account of her childbirth journey stands as a testament to the power of authentic storytelling. Her candid narrative provides invaluable insights into the realities of pregnancy, offering perspectives that both enlighten and resonate. The memoir's engaging prose makes for a compelling single-sitting read.
While the story captivates with its honesty, there is room for refinement in its technical execution. A thorough editorial pass would elevate the occasional uneven sentence structure and address minor typographical errors. The narrative would benefit from deeper exploration of pivotal moments—the evolution of her changing body, the emotional weight of gender revelation, and the precious moments of joy that punctuated her pregnancy. Additionally, readers would welcome more insight into her postpartum healing journey and the subtle ways motherhood transformed her relationship dynamics.
Nevertheless, the memoir's greatest strength lies in its intimacy. Chantal's willingness to share her vulnerability creates a profound connection with readers, making her experience feel deeply personal and relatable.

I received this ARC through NetGalley (Thank you)