An incredible story of triumph over abuse and trauma. Many trigger warnings for kidnapping, rape and incest, but Dr. Kiprono is able to claim her story without focusing on her abuser. Her achievements are her own.

As a woman who recently experienced a nonviable pregnancy and traumatic birth, I can't emphasize enough how grateful I am for the type of work Dr. Luissa Kiprono does. I picked up this audiobook just because I like memoirs, but didn't realize that Dr. Kiprono works with women who are in situations like mine, who don't have access to specialists. If you or anyone you know is experiencing complications in your pregnancy without access to specialists, please look up her telemedicine services.

My hangups with this book come the the title and cover. "Push, then Breathe" is perfect for the type of care she specializes in, but the cover makes it seem more like she was an athlete. She does mention running often, but it didn't come across to me as a big savings force in the book. This isn't a very long book, and I found it compelling, finishing it quickly. I hope the right people can find it because this book is inspirational!

Luissa Kiprono's memoir, "Push, Then Breathe" describes her remarkable journey from cherished childhood memories in Romania under Ceausescu's regime to enduring harrowing captivity and abuse by her father. She was able to escaped that marked the start of her path toward freedom, independence, and success. Steered by a resolved determination, hope and a positive outlook, Dr. Kiprono overcame her unimaginable circumstances. This memoir conveys a message of hope and empowerment to women, emphasizing one’s built-in worth. It also shows the importance of pursuing one’s goals without self-imposed beliefs or limitations. Achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist, a doctor that specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Kiprono now shares her experiences in a memoir that promises to enthrall and motivate readers.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the author Luissa Kiprono, MD for a digital copy of #PushThenBreathe in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a tragic story and difficult to listen to at times. Dr. Kiprono's resilience and the foundational love of family gave her enough hope to continue fighting against terrible circumstances when most people would have given up. The audiobook narrator did a great job putting lots of emotion into the reading. It's another one of those stories that seems too terrible to be real, but I have found that the truth is usually harder to imagine than fiction!

Push, Then Breathe is an amazing store of survival and overcoming unspeakable odds. Luissa Kiprono's life story is one that many of us cannot imagine. She just did not overcome and merely survive horrific trauma but she made something of herself and helps to make the world a better place.

Possible triggers: Domestic violence, parental abuse, sexual abuse, and fetal loss.

I received an ARC of this audiobook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.