Book Discussion: Phenomenology of Pregnancy and Early Motherhood (2025)

Season 7 opens with the first of four recordings of book panels from our Annual Conference held at University College Dublin. These book discussion panels allowed recent monograph authors to present their work in conversation with a respondent. In this episode, Susi Ferrarello presents her recent monograph Phenomenology of Pregnancy and Early Motherhood (2025) in conversation with Professor Tanja Staehler of the University of Sussex

Abstract: The Phenomenology of Pregnancy and Early Motherhood is a recently published book that provides an ethical, social, and psychological investigation of the process of becoming a mother. Through a phenomenological analysis that engages with feminist philosophy, medical ethics, philosophy of care, and phenomenological psychology, I unravel the intricacies of this transformative phase of life to shed light on layers of lived experiences that impact the well-being of the woman. This book addresses the complexity of common lived-experiences characterizing this transition; the overarching period from the first to the fourth trimester, issues concerning maternal-fetal bonding, breastfeeding, PDAM, loss of identity and coming back to work. Enriched by case studies from my philosophical counseling practice, the book provides a compassionate and insightful exploration of the struggles, triumphs, and moments of self-revelation that mothers encounter in their daily lives. By exploring the heart of the maternal experience, this book shows the often-unspoken realities faced by women as they strive to balance their roles as caregivers, partners, and individuals. The book offers a powerful means for everyday reflection on early motherhood and the ethical, as well as practical, dilemmas it raises. This text explores phenomenology, ethics, feminist philosophy, and moral psychology, making it valuable for therapists and professionals interested in the complexities of pregnancy, motherhood, and women’s mental health. Biography: Susi Ferrarello, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at California State University, East Bay. She specializes in phenomenology, bioethics, feminist philosophy, and mental health, with a focus on perinatal care and the ethical implications of technology in healthcare. She has authored and edited several books, including Phenomenology of Pregnancy and Early Motherhood, The Ethics of Love, The Origin of Bioethics and Human Emotions and Bioethics and Technoethics. Beyond academia, she is the co-founder of NoBumpNoCare (U.S.) and Slancio (Italy), nonprofits dedicated to perinatal care and social solidarity. She actively mentors students and healthcare professionals and organizes international conferences on bioethics and philosophy. She works also as a philosophical counselor and writes for Psychology Today. About this event: https://sites.google.com/view/licdublin2025 About the BSP: https://www.thebsp.org.uk/about/