Congratulations on your pregnancy.

My name is Yifat Gat. I am a mother of five unschooling children living in the south of France. I have given birth five times—twice in a hospital and three times at home, including one unassisted birth.

With each experience, I learned practical and often surprising things that I later realized are not widely shared or considered common knowledge. Before these lessons fade, I decided to write them down.

The aim of this guide is to share what I have personally found useful across my own pregnancies and births. I have kept it as clear, practical, and easy to read as possible—something you can return to when you need simple, grounded guidance. It is also designed to make a thoughtful gift for a pregnant friend.

Important note: I am not a medical professional. Everything in this book is based on my personal experience and reflections, shared in the spirit of what I would pass on to my own daughters.