Counting Down to Maternity Abroad🌍🤰

“Quote from the book Maternity Abroad: Becoming a Mother in a Foreign Land discussing how access to prenatal care varies by healthcare system, with a stack of books on the left side of the design.”

I can finally say it out loud: Maternity Abroad is coming this November.

This book has lived in my head and heart for years. Now it’s almost ready to be in your hands. Writing it wasn’t just about putting words on a page — it was about gathering real stories from mothers across the world and weaving them into something I wish I’d had when I was pregnant abroad myself.

Why I Wrote It in English First

Many people ask me why the first edition is in English, not Portuguese. The truth? I wanted to challenge myself. Writing in a second language made me strip back the fluff and focus on clarity. It reminded me of Haruki Murakami, who once said that writing in another language helped him keep his sentences simple and sharp.

And simplicity matters here. Because pregnancy abroad already feels complicated enough — the last thing we need is a book that makes it harder.

What You’ll Find Inside

  • Real stories from mothers navigating pregnancy in countries far from their own

  • Expert insights from doulas, doctors, and specialists

  • Cultural perspectives on birth and postpartum around the world

  • Practical advice for healthcare, paperwork, and building a support system

  • And maybe most importantly: the reminder that you’re not alone

I can’t wait for you to read it.

Mark your calendars for November 2024.

📖 Maternity Abroad will be available worldwide, in print and Kindle.

Because motherhood far from home is a journey no one should have to make alone.


Other Publications

Fifteen Minutes at a Time follows Emily and Daniel under the rain‑soaked arches of Waterloo Bridge, where routine turns into connection and glances say more than words.

This short story is free to read — a little escape into tenderness and possibility.

🌍 Parenting abroad isn’t just logistics — it’s identity, belonging, and the quiet work of building a home away from home. Parenting Unpacked is here to hold your hand through it.

✨ Coming soon — sign up to be the first to know.


Jessica Gabrielzyk

Jessica Gabrielzyk writes about the messy, magical, and often misunderstood moments of life abroad — from giving birth in a foreign hospital to helping toddlers color their way through culture shock. Originally from Brazil, she has lived on three continents, parented in three languages, and now calls Switzerland home with her husband, child, and a dog who has more stamps in her passport than most adults.

Her books, including Maternity Abroad, Parenting Unpacked, and My First American Coloring Book, are heartfelt, honest, and rooted in real global experience. She is a proud member of the Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIETAR) and believes storytelling is the one language that truly travels.

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“Maternity Abroad” is Heading to Copy Editing!

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The Inspiration Behind “Maternity Abroad” 🌍🤰