Book Review: I Am Pregnant – Dr Dumani Kula

First off, don’t be alarmed (haha), this really is a book review, and not an announcement. It’s also not a sponsored post, but some rather lovely folks sent me a copy of this book to review. It’s one that’s got me thinking a lot over the past few days, since I immersed myself in the text. Here’s my take on:
I Am Pregnant by Dr Dumani Kula.

My kid just turned ten so my memories of pregnancy, while burnt into my brain and life, are not as bright as they once were. I’ve probably forgotten about the cankles and the weird cramps that would wake me at 2am. But in reflecting upon my kid’s tenth birthday, the memories of giving birth and all the things that led up to her emergence into the world came flooding back. A dear friend has recently added a son to her family, and it reminded me so much of how the journey towards life is filled with hope. Dr Dumani Kula has related that wonderful, and sometimes tumultuous, story of pregnancy to business, in a new book. I took some time away from my screen to read it.

Dr Kula
But before I get into what I think about this enchanting book, I’d like to mention something. The author, Dr Kula, before he began his career in business and worked his way up the ladders of Discovery Health, was a medical doctor. You might think – what the hell does a medical doctor have to think about business? But, really, I want you to put that coffee pot on and let it percolate for a while. Here is a man whose career at one time focused on enabling, sustaining and aiding life. In that case, what better person could there be to write about the life of a business, and especially the beginning of it?

Mentionable Quotes
The thing I’ve enjoyed the most while reading this book, is how Dr Kula’s encapsulated such important concepts in a succinct way. Here are some of my favourite lines:

“The stages before, during and after childbirth are, in many respects, indicative of the journey one has to go through to conceive, carry and deliver dreams and life aspirations”.

“The mark of champions is not always about being the absolute best, but about pushing through the worst, even when all else says it is time to throw in the towel. As for the woman in the labour room, pain is a signal of the concealed greatness that is about to be revealed.”

“If you are not mad enough to get out of the rut it is quite possible that you will remain in it.”

A relatable tale
As I read each chapter, I’ve been really enthused by how Dr Kula draws distinctive parallels between a baby’s development, pregnancy and the evolution (and possible obstacles within that!) of a business, but reminding us that life works on cycles, not just a linear pattern. Dr Kula also brings into the story reflections on other business leaders and their practices or approaches, mentioning the like of Steve Jobs and some rather important historical events. There’s also my all-time favourite quote from Victor Hugo included in this book, but I’ll leave that up to you to discover (it’s something my Dad was always determined to distill within my character).

But it’s not just about business
I love the way Dr Kula captures key concepts and makes them relevant for almost every sphere of life, even moving beyond the realm of business. At the end of each chapter, he summarises with key points to remember, and I found that quite useful and reflective to experience as a reader. But it’s Chapter 7 that is my favourite – “Leaving a Lasting Legacy”, because it’s something I am a deep believer in, and I’m not alone in that perspective.

But I’ve said enough for now! Here’s how you can grab a copy of this great book for yourself:

• Pick up a copy on publisher.co.za 
• Order a copy via the I Am Pregnant website
• Drop an email to the KD Initiative here
• See below for details on an upcoming book signing! RSVP to info@kidinitiative.com