Pregnancy is a period of time that institutes great change in the lives of those who are pregnant. Regardless of whether a pregnancy concludes with the birth of a live child or not, there are experiences that are common for many people who are pregnant. Yet as a site of theological reflection pregnancy is underrepresented. This landmark book seeks to begin the conversation within theology about pregnancy, the positive and negative experiences, and the potential for pregnancy to be understood theologically. Chapters consider a number of avenues in this exploration, from early pregnancy loss to trauma in labour, from adoption to the end of reproductive years at the onset of menopause. Throughout, this book seeks to understand the resources that theology brings to the experiences of pregnancy as well as the situations of oppression and underrepresentation that currently exist. Allowing for intersections of race, parenting, childlessness, and disability, this book approaches pregnancy from different theological perspectives in order to complexify the theological response and engagement as well as produce constructive resources for both the academy and the church. Contributors include Chine McDonald, Julie Gittoes, Margaret Kamitsuka and Rachel Muers.

About the Author
Karen O'Donnell is Academic Dean at Westcott House, Cambridge. A feminist, ecumenical, practical theologian, her interdisciplinary research interests span theology, spirituality, and pedagogy. She is the author of several books with SCM Press, including The Dark Womb, which was longlisted for the 2023 Michael Ramsey Prize. Claire Williams is a teacher and researcher at Regents Theological College, and the author of Peculiar Discipleship.

Reviews
"This beautifully curated collection reveals the ambiguities, privileges, disruptions, pain, trauma, and silences that pregnant and 'un/pregnant' bodies experience in Christian discourse. I was moved and challenged by the poetic, personal, and critical reflections - from surrogacy, abortion, trans pregnancy, single motherhood, fat bodies, Dalit women, to menopause - that centre pregnancy and birth as sites of feminist theological meaning making." -- Dawn Llewellyn
"While, from Jesus onwards, Christian teachers, mystics and preachers have drawn on the imagery of pregnancy and birth to reflect on faith, these topics have rarely received sustained theological investigation. This magnificent volume finally brings the common yet infinitely varied experiences of pregnancy and birth into the centre of theological and spiritual enquiry, including surrogacy, adoption, single, queer and masculine birthing and parenting, and much more besides. Combining first person autobiographical and autoethnographic reflections, poetry, biblical, historical and theological research with pastoral, liturgical and practical discussion, the book as a whole opens up a dizzying range of perspectives, never closing enquiry down but always opening up fresh angles and important questions. I welcome this groundbreaking text and congratulate the editors and contributors on a fine achievement. I expect it to create a stir of excitement and much ongoing study, reflection and prayer." -- Nicola Slee
"Ambitious in scope, rigorous in its analysis, and generous in spirit, this book makes a crucial contribution to our understanding of birth, pregnancy, and embodiment itself. Eschewing the binaries that have long defined these subjects, the book achieves a richer, more hospitable, more disruptive, and ultimately more prophetic account of life's beginnings." -- Jennifer Banks



Book Information
ISBN 9780334065388
Author Karen O'Donnell
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint SCM Press
Publisher SCM Press