Publications

Featured

Research shows that the type of birth does influence the chances of a mother developing postpartum depression. Read "Unplanned Cesarean and Trauma" by Thais Derich.

BabyCenter.com

It took 2 years to realize I’d been traumatized by childbirth

Natural Mumma

From the Natural Mumma blog: I’m delighted to welcome the inspirational author and activist Thais Nye Derich to the site. Thais’ new memoir Second Chance: A Mother’s Quest for a Natural Birth after a Cesarean offers an honest and encouraging look at vaginal birth after c-section. Thais’ work really resounds with me because it is all about listening to your instincts. Through her wonderful blog and her upcoming book, she informs and inspires women, helping them to feel in control during childbirth. Here she talks about the delivery of her first child, and how childbirth can be a journey of self-discovery.

Circle & Bloom

When I started planning to have a natural birth after delivering my first son via cesarean, I was up against a lot of backlash due to the increased perceived risk of a natural birth after a C-Section. Meditation and visualization kept me centered and strong in my conviction to birth my second child the way that I wanted. For me, giving birth naturally meant more than just avoiding a painful and unnecessary surgery. It meant being empowered to make informed decisions about my pregnancy. It meant honest communication between my maternity care team and myself. Most of all, it meant listening to my instincts, and learning trust in my own body.

Everyday Family

There is one moment during the pregnancy of my second child that I attribute to having saved my life. It wasn’t a life-saving cesarean. It wasn’t an amazing doctor who saved me. It wasn’t a drug or a modern life-saving piece of equipment.

I am sitting in a circle of supportive women when I have this realization.

Official Booktrailer for Second Chance

Watch the official booktrailer for Second Chance.

SheWrites.com

I want to post this interaction between a writer and an agent on Facebook because it’s like nothing I’ve heard before, but I don’t because I’m scared. I better not tell anyone about this or everyone will do it and I’ll lose the trust of this agent. I’m doing my part to hide possibilities from writers, to keep the old publishing processes intact and undisturbed

Salon

"Why did you leave, mom?"

Thirty years after she disappeared, I did the unthinkable -- I called my troubled mom to find out her story.

The first link that comes up on my Internet search is a mug shot of my mother in an orange jumpsuit, hazel eyes wide open like she’s trying to look less drunk. Her skin is smooth and tight. Only the thin white hair fanning around her face gives away her 70 years. The arrest report is from 2003. The reason: driving under the influence. I’m relieved it’s not something worse.

Babycenter.com

"How to avoid a cesarean that you don’t want?"

Before I can shut my eyes, I see the details around me. The room looks a lot like the ones on TV. This is where people’s hearts stop and surgeons talk about expensive restaurants while taking out organs. A nurse straps a tight Velcro belt over my chest and then ties my wrists down with two smaller straps.

Blogher

"The Lisa Epsteen Story: Is Medical Inaction a Crime?"

Lisa Epsteen’s baby boy was born healthy via cesarean section days after her doctor threatened to drag her to the hospital in handcuffs and put her four other children in child protective custody.

Listen To Your Mother Show

Thais Derich Reading "Mom CEO"

Literary Mama

"After Page One: Honesty"

Sitting on my side of the bed, in the same spot where I had just given birth the day before, I began to write. The pile of bloodstained sheets still stacked in the corner of my bedroom. I meant to write about how I went from an unplanned cesarean to a home birth and lived to tell about it.

Wild Violet Literary Magazine

"The Magic of Eating a Banana"

Nate is six months old when his pediatrician tells me that I can start feeding him solids. I am so excited to offer him something besides rice cereal that I run down to the store with him to buy a couple of baby-food jars. He bounces close to my body in the baby carrier.

Forge Journal

"I walk Alone"

week past my due date with my second child, I’m slowly climbing the front steps of my San Francisco apartment. My eyes hardly move from my feet. The rhythm of my squeezing belly paces my steps. I remember how greatly I was misinformed before the birth of my first child, three years ago. Women have been giving birth forever, I thought; how hard could it be? My heart pounds. The brick steps up to my red front door seem never ending. I’ll go to a birth class and study birth books; spontaneously begin labor; go to the hospital; and then, the baby will just come out. I stop and grip the railing. But things weren’t fine. I begin slowly climbing again. This time, I’m going to trust my own body.