The Natural Mother of the Child is a gorgeous memoir about the complicated experience of birthing children in a nonbinary body. Krys Malcolm Belc is an exceptional author, their writing drew me in immediately. This book focuses on the experience of being pregnant, birthing, and nursing a young child while trying to maintain one's own identity- something I think all parents can find relatability in. 

Krys spends a lot of time writing about what it is like to receive medical care as nonbinary and how important it was for them to avoid unnecessary medical interventions. Then after giving birth, Krys describes the complicated choice to nurse their baby. Krys nursed for two years before weaning so they could begin testosterone treatment. As someone who is still nursing a preschooler, I found this so emotional and beautiful. Human milk feeding in any form is a dedication of love and time, and it can completely shift the center of one's identity. The balancing of needs is critical to any parent's mental health, and Krys makes salient points that apply to both gender queer and cis het families alike. 

This is a book that I will be recommending to many birthing friends, because as the author points out transgender gestational parents aren't seen often enough and that can lead to unintentional discrimination and misunderstanding. There is really no way you can read this book and not feel the love Krys has for their children and gain empathy for families that look and are made in all different ways. This may be my favorite memoir of 2022. I love it. Read it.