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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Babymaking by Vincentia Schroeter is a memoir that follows the author from a moment of settled adulthood into a years-long pursuit of parenthood, bound to marriage and prolonged medical care. After meeting Steve during a family gathering, she builds a life with him that turns toward the titular “babymaking.” Sadly, loss alters what her body can do and forces her to make choices that restructure her professional direction, while she continues practicing as a psychotherapist. Schroeter shares her daily routines and details her relationship, as time stretches and adoption becomes the intended path. Schroeter sticks to the process and the passage of time, all within the systems that govern all aspects of family formation. Written from true-life experience, Schroeter records her preparation for a child long before its arrival, even as the fragility of that happening is constantly tested.
Vincentia Schroeter’s Babymaking is a really lovely memoir, and a uniquely honest retelling of her journey. There are both heartening and jarring moments, showing her almost superhuman strength in a live clinical demonstration despite physical recovery demands, and the joy of an adoption placement that had nearly collapsed days earlier. I appreciate that Schroeter is doing all she can to educate others, stepping forward to teach publicly, and choosing presence and responsibility. Readers will absolutely benefit from Schroeter's advice on ethical adoption processes, which was an area I genuinely knew very little about. The writing is really comfortable and conversational. Schroeter comes across as a woman willing to provide a safe space, and that makes us trust her. Overall, this is a deeply moving memoir on a life candidly shared. Very highly recommended.
