Leslie Schrock on Bumpin

If you want to write a book, the best advice out there is that you really need to like writing because the whole process is time-consuming and, to be perfectly honest, kind of hard! My guest, Leslie Schrock, joins me to talk about the process she went through writing Bumpin' while she was pregnant and some of the best parts of her book. Leslie is an entrepreneur who works with start-ups, co-founded her own selling sustainable protein made from crickets, and is a member of an advisory board. She's a published author with her book Bumpin' which is a modern woman's guide to pregnancy. Leslie has had some tumultuous pregnancies and when she was finally pregnant with her first son, she knew she had to document these experiences for other women to talk about the new normals. Leslie was 36 when she was pregnant with her first child, and one day her doctors told her they were going to induce her. She didn't agree with this advice, sought out a doula, and is a firm believer that you need to become your own medical and birth advocate. Only you know your body the best! Bringing your partner into your pregnancy is also something healthy for your relationship and family that you should make sure you're doing. Leslie shares the best ways she's found to integrate your partner into this new life, because, let's face it, both of your lives are going to change when the baby is born. Leslie also explains how you can talk to your employer about what your needs are when you're pregnant and what expectations you'll have on your return to work. Childcare is also something you need to consider, maybe even from before you get pregnant. Leslie believes that we should all be campaigning for government-funded childcare, similar to an initiative started in France. When you're a new parent returning to work, you might find that you become better and more productive at your job. Leslie says this is because of your priorities change, so obviously you'll want to spend as much time as possible with your child. For Leslie, having a doula is the best thing she did during her pregnancy. This is a person who advocates for you throughout your pregnancy and birth, and even after you've had your baby. Having a doula also made Leslie more comfortable asking for help. She encourages all women to start asking for help - we're all better when we work together. Have you thought about writing a book? How can you integrate your partner into your pregnancy? Do you feel confident asking for help? In This Episode: What the process of writing a book is Why you need to be your own medical and birth advocate How you can integrate your partner into your pregnancy and how your life is going to change How you can communicate with your employer what you need when you're pregnant and when you return after maternity leave Why we need to champion for government-funded childcare How becoming a parent can make you better at your job What the benefit of a doula is in pregnancy and childbirth Why we should become more comfortable asking for help Quotes: "I think until we as women and families really demand the system change, it's not going to. We have to go into appointments asking questions." (23:16) "Your partner is not a mind reader, you've got to sometimes just tell them what you need." (32:06) "If you want to talk about the parts of the book I didn't enjoy writing as much, it's definitely the financial planning and insurance stuff because it's kind of the last thing you want to think about. But in some ways, it's the most important because it is what dictates whether or not having a family is a net positive or net negative for you emotionally as a parent.." (40:05) Links Buy Bumpin': The Modern Guide to Pregnancy Find Leslie Schrock Online Find Leslie Schrock on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Medium | LinkedIn Check out the complete episode page here Learn more about Powerful Conversations Online Find Powerful Conversations on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Medium