Local Author Tamara Chavalle Releases But Baby, You’re Worth It

Content warning: This article refers to injuries and mental trauma associated with birth.

Local Tamara Chavalle (her pen name) has released her debut novel, “But Baby You’re Worth It”.

The book is a fictionalised memoir about a woman who suffers terrible injuries during the birth of her second child.

The lead character is Tabitha, who goes from a blissful new mother to a mother racked with pain all because of mistakes made in the delivery room.

As the full extent of those medical mistakes becomes apparent, Tabitha must make some life-altering and devastating decisions. Her journey back from a dark place takes every ounce of her fight. Her job was on the line, her mother’s health was flailing, and her children needed her despite her fears to the contrary. Could she fix what was broken inside and be happy once more?

It is a story of one mother’s strength and determination to overcome adversity for the sake of her family.

The release of Tamara’s book is timely.

On 29 May 2024, the NSW Parliament Select Committee on Birth Trauma released their first report, which includes numerous recommendations such as trauma-informed training for maternity professionals, improving mental health support and physical recovery for women affected by birth trauma, funding research into birth trauma, and ensuring comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care.

The catalyst for the inquiry was the growing awareness of birth trauma and concern about its impact on parents and families across New South Wales. The Australian Birth Experience Study from Western Sydney University, published in December 2022, revealed that 28 per cent of women experienced birth trauma.

The Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA) was launched in 2017. The ABTA has played a significant role in providing input and raising awareness about the extent and impact of birth trauma in Australia.

We asked Tamara why she had written the book and about her life in Lane Cove.

What Inspired You to Write But Bay, Your’e Worth It?

After living through months of physical and emotional pain and trauma following the birth of my little boy, I started to connect with other women who had experienced similar birth-related injuries and trauma.

I decided to tell my story as a way to start healing emotionally from my ordeal and to help other women see that they are not alone.

My book is based in Lane Cove, and one of the reasons is the unbelievable support I received from the nurses at the Lane Cove Child and Family Health Centre. They were very understanding and supportive during those terrible few months after I gave birth to my little boy. Their kindness and compassion at such a difficult time truly made a difference.

How Are You Feeling Now After Writing the Book?

I feel great; writing the book and connecting with so many other women who had been through similar birth trauma has helped me to heal, especially on an emotional level.  I am being interviewed and writing articles about birth trauma.  It has given me a whole new passion to help raise awareness of the issues and what support is out there.

How Long Did It Take To Write the Book?

I spent six weeks writing the first draft while my baby slept in my arms. It took about four months to reach the final, print-ready stage.  It was also a family affair as my daughter, who was 12 at the time, helped design the book’s cover.

How Did You Go About Getting the Book Published?

I chose to publish with the help of ASPG, the Australian Self-Publishing Group. The team has been fantastic.  I was thrilled they turned my daughter’s design into my stunning cover.

ASPG has taken care of proofreading, typesetting, and printing and will help me list, market, and sell my book. They will also set up my website and even take it to international agents and book fairs on my behalf.

I felt completely out of my depth with all the steps of the self-publishing process, but ASPG has been fantastic throughout each part.

Will you be writing another book?

YES! I have written two more novels and have started my fourth.  My second book is the sequel to But, baby you’re worth it.  It is finished and off to ASPG this week to start the publishing process.  I am about to start working on a third book after a fabulous suggestion by my editor.

The first three books are all set in Lane Cove, with some references to our beautiful suburb in the fourth.    There is even a sneaky reference to In The Cove and how they kept us going through COVID with competitons.

What are Some of your Favourite Things to do at Lane Cove?

We love meeting friends at the Lane Cove Aquatic Centre and The Canopy in summer. We also love exploring the bush tracks around Blackman Park and Riverview and kayaking at Tambourine Bay

And, of course, I love any excuse to drop by the Longy or the Diddy in my rhinestone-encrusted cowboy boots.  However my favourite place will always be on a picnic blanket, with my arms around my babies.

How Long Have You Lived in Lane Cove?

I have lived here for 38 years.  We moved to Lane Cove when I was nine and I am still close to my best friends I met at St Michaels Primary School and Monte.

What’s Your Favourite Coffee Place in Lane Cove?

Garçon. And they do the BEST hot chocolates as well.

Where Can We Buy the Book?

The Book is available to purchase online here, and Tamara hopes it will soon be available for purchase in Lane Cove.

Tamara’s Contact Details

Instagram:@tamarachavalleauthor

Tik Tok:  @tamarachavalleauthor

If you need someone to talk to, call: Lifeline on 13 11 14