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Their Dreams of Parenthood
Baby Number Three is a poignant story that chronicles one mother’s unyielding determination to overcome heartbreaking obstacles and complete her family through the challenging journey of surrogacy. Were there any specific moments or chapters that were particularly hard for you to write about?
The hardest part of writing the second part of Tabitha’s journey was the knowledge that I may never actually be able to live out this part of the story myself.
The surrogacy laws in Australia play a significant role in your story. What changes would you advocate for to make the process easier for parents like you?
I wholeheartedly believe that the surrogacy laws in Australia need to change to allow commercial surrogacy. There are so many wonderful families who deserve the chance to realise their dreams of parenthood, many of whom I have interacted with personally throughout my own fertility journey. The current laws in Australia are so prohibitive, especially with the lack of conversation or air-time that surrogacy currently gets here.
What advice would you give to other women navigating similar challenges with infertility or surrogacy?
Find your village! Of course family and friends are always those we go to for support and advice at first but the fertility journey can be so lonely and I know that families searching for a surrogate can go through the same things. We are lucky to live in an age where there are all sorts of online support groups full of other people going through the same challenges.
If there’s one message you hope readers take away from Baby Number Three, what would it be?
The love and determination that a parent, whether actual or intended feels towards their, truly knows no bounds, regardless of how their child, or indeed children, entered the world.
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That was until traumatic injuries sustained during her labour left Tabitha facing the fact that she would no longer carry another baby.
In the sequel to the novel But Baby, You’re Worth It, Tabitha must navigate the complicated laws of surrogacy in Australia. And she is forced to evaluate her relationships with the women closest to her, testing some to their limits and building stronger bonds with others.
Will Tabitha feel the joy of her baby growing inside of her once more or will she be given the ultimate, selfless gift from someone she holds dear?
How will she cope with the heartbreak of rejection? Somehow, she is determined to meet baby number three.
Baby Number Three
Tamara Chavalle’s Baby Number Three, the sequel to But Baby, You’re Worth It, offers an engaging continuation of Tabitha Powell’s journey as a single mother. Tabitha is raising her thirteen-year-old daughter, Rose, and seven-month-old son, Max, in a small apartment in her mother’s home in suburban Sydney, Australia. Determined to expand her family, Tabitha faces a challenge: a traumatic birth experience with Max has left her unable to carry another child. Undeterred, she shifts her focus toward finding a surrogate and navigating the complex and emotionally charged path that follows.
Chavalle’s writing is both captivating and emotionally resonant, making Tabitha’s struggles and triumphs compelling from start to finish. A central theme is Tabitha’s belief in the idea that everything happens for a reason, even when the reasons remain elusive. This perspective provides her with the strength to confront life’s many obstacles, resonating deeply with readers. Unexpected twists and turns in the narrative kept me invested, eager to uncover how Tabitha’s journey would unfold for herself and her family.
I found the exploration of Australian surrogacy laws intriguing. In Australia, commercial surrogacy is illegal, meaning that surrogates must act out of altruism rather than for monetary compensation. This legal and cultural distinction added depth to the story, as Tabitha’s quest to find someone willing to carry her baby took on a unique and heartfelt dimension. The emotional and ethical complexities of altruistic surrogacy were woven seamlessly into the plot, enriching the reading experience.
One element of the story that I liked was Tabitha’s approach to seeking a surrogate. She wrote emails to close friends and family members, asking if they would consider helping her. While this method may have felt natural to Tabitha, it struck me as impersonal for such a monumental request. Asking someone to carry a child is deeply significant, and I felt such a conversation warranted an in-person discussion. This disconnect added an interesting layer to Tabitha’s character but also left me questioning her choices.
At times, the narrative felt slightly repetitive, especially when detailing the endless hurdles in Tabitha’s path. However, that may also be the point. It mirrors the cyclical nature of her struggles and triumphs. Moments of humor, like her interactions with other parents or her wry commentary on modern dating, provided welcome relief and added texture to the story.
Baby Number Three is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, family, and the lengths one woman will go to fulfill her dreams of motherhood. Tamara Chavalle skillfully balances emotional depth with cultural insight, crafting a story that is thought-provoking. The novel’s charm and complexity make it a memorable read.
Pages: 226 | ASIN: B0DR56JK2H
Stop Feeling Ashamed
But Baby, You’re Worth It! follows a woman who, during childbirth, experiences life-threatening medical errors resulting in severe physical and emotional scars. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I drew the inspiration for this story from my own experiences. In particular, the injuries and trauma I sustained during my son’s birth but also after the difficult time during and after my daughter’s birth some twelve years earlier. Something that struck me both times, was how alone and isolated I felt despite the massive amount of support that I had around me.
Birth trauma is a topic that is seldom discussed. When it is, the long-term impacts and the healing process are rarely addressed. What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
My goal in sharing this story was, my own healing journey aside, to help kickstart the conversation about birth trauma and the profound impact it has on women and their families. The healing journey after a traumatic birth can be really scary, especially when there are injuries sustained during that birth. I want us, as a society, to stop feeling ashamed about talking about our experiences. The “village” has never been more important than it is in this scenario.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing or did it come out organically as you were writing?
The writing happened very much organically. The first draft took me three weeks to write. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and haven’t stopped writing since.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have finished writing the sequel to But Baby, You’re Worth It! The second book is with ASPG now and I expect it to be released mid to late October. I am also working through my editor’s suggestions for my third book and hope to see it released by December. My fourth book is a few chapters in as well but my goal for 2024 is to publish the first three!
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Those first blissful days were soon forgotten though as they were slowly but surely replaced by pain, trauma and heartache. All because of mistakes made in the delivery room, mistakes that could have cost her, her life. As the full extent of those medical mistakes starts to become apparent Tabitha must make some life altering and devastating decisions. Her journey back from a dark place would take every ounce of fight that she had. Her job was on the line, her mother’s health was flailing and her children needed her, despite her fears to the contrary. Could she fix what was broken inside and be happy once more?
But baby, you’re worth it!
But Baby, You’re Worth It! by Tamara Chavalle is a poignant exploration of a woman’s journey through the trials and triumphs of motherhood, specifically focusing on the harrowing experiences of birth trauma and the strength required to overcome such adversity. The book delves deep into the life of Tabitha, who faces life-threatening medical errors during childbirth, resulting in severe physical and emotional scars. As she navigates the aftermath, including the fight for her health, her job, and her family, the narrative is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, shedding light on issues that many women endure but seldom discuss.
From the very beginning, Chavalle’s writing is engaging and heartfelt. Her vivid descriptions and candid storytelling draw you into Tabitha’s world, making you feel her pain, fear, and determination. One of the book’s strengths lies in its ability to portray raw emotions authentically. The author’s ability to articulate the silent struggles many women face after traumatic births is commendable and offers a sense of solidarity to those who have been through similar experiences. Chavalle’s narrative is also filled with moments of resilience and hope. The portrayal of Tabitha’s fight to regain control of her life, her career, and her role as a mother is inspiring. The support from her friends and family and her own unyielding spirit are depicted beautifully, showing that even in the darkest times, there is light. The sections where Tabitha connects with other women who have suffered similar traumas are particularly moving, emphasizing the importance of community and shared experiences in the healing process.
But Baby, You’re Worth It! is a deeply moving and important read for anyone interested in the realities of childbirth and the often-hidden struggles that follow. Tamara Chavalle has crafted a story that is both an eye-opener and a tribute to the resilience of women. This book is especially recommended for mothers, healthcare professionals, and anyone who wishes to understand the profound impact of birth trauma. It serves as a reminder that, despite the challenges, the love for our children can give us the strength to overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
Pages: 208 | ISBN : 1923087223
LITERARY TITAN 