---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The whole birth thing though,” Elle said…"
description: "\"“The whole birth thing though,” Elle said. “It just seems like a poor exit strategy, doesn’t it?”\" — Jill Shalvis"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/jill-shalvis-838_exit-strategy_the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-i_2505541.png"
---

#  The whole birth thing though,” Elle said. “It just seems…

![“The whole birth thing though,” Elle said. “It just seems like a poor exit strategy, doesn’t it?” quote by Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/jill-shalvis-838_exit-strategy_the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-i_2505541.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/jill-shalvis-838_exit-strategy_the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-i_2505541.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/jill-shalvis-838_exit-strategy_the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-i_2505541.png)

> ““The whole birth thing though,” Elle said. “It just seems like a poor exit strategy, doesn’t it?””

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Elle questions the logic of using childbirth as an escape from problems, implying it’s a weak solution.

**In simple terms:** Childbirth isn’t a good way to avoid issues.

Key Takeaway

Seek healthier coping strategies.

Themes

relationships family coping avoidance

Mood

reflective concerned

Type

dialogue conversational

When to use this quote

- personal crisis
- relationship discussions
- family planning

Key Concepts

existential doubt social expectations

Questions to Reflect On

- What are the underlying issues you’re trying to escape?
- How can you address them directly?

A Different Perspective

May overlook deeper emotional needs and responsibilities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Birth Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth-thing-1104900/) [Elle Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elle-said-1104899/) [Exit Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exit-strategy/) [Poor Exit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor-exit-1104901/) [Thing Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-elle-1104902/)

## Related quotes

> [“I want you, Elle," he said, voice low and rough. "It's a goddamn ache, I want you so much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/i-want-you-elle-he-said-voice-low-and-rough-it-s-a-goddamn-ache-i/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [A certificate of live birth is not the same thing by any stretch of the imagination as a birth certificate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/a-certificate-of-live-birth-is-not-the-same-thing-by-any-stretch-of/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [High birth is a thing which I never knew any one to disparage except those who had it not; and I never knew any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-warburton/high-birth-is-a-thing-which-i-never-knew-any-one-to-disparage-except/)

[William Warburton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-warburton/)

> [“I'm not weird,' Elle said defensively. 'I mean in a good way. All the best people are.' He swallowed, as if he were thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-evans/i-m-not-weird-elle-said-defensively-i-mean-in-a-good-way-all-the-best/)

[Harriet Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-evans/)

> [“he liked to say he didn’t have an exit strategy—he was building a company for the long term.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stone/he-liked-to-say-he-didn-t-have-an-exit-strategy-he-was-building-a/)

[Brad Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stone/)

> [“The doctrine of "exit strategy" fundamentally misunderstands the nature of war and, more generally, the nature of historical action. for the knowledge of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-wieseltier/the-doctrine-of-exit-strategy-fundamentally-misunderstands-the-nature/)

[Leon Wieseltier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-wieseltier/)

> [If there is one thing BP's 'watery improv act' made clear, it is that, as a culture, we have become far too willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/if-there-is-one-thing-bp-s-watery-improv-act-made-clear-it-is-that-as/)

[Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/)

> [If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hughes/if-we-are-going-to-commit-american-troops-we-must-be-certain-they/)

[Karen Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hughes/)

> [Death is my exit strategy. I'll be doing significant customer service only as long as I live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-newmark/death-is-my-exit-strategy-i-ll-be-doing-significant-customer-service/)

[Craig Newmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-newmark/)

> [It is irresponsible for this Congress to not investigate the President's lack of an exit strategy, and the fraud, waste, and abuse of U.S.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/it-is-irresponsible-for-this-congress-to-not-investigate-the/)

[Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/)

> [Actions speak louder than words...silence speaks volumes...and just being busy with life...well, that's just a clever exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-speak-louder-than-words-silence-speaks-volumes-and-just-being/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If you're a Democrat and 'The New York Times' is calling for your head, you know it's time for an exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mckinnon/if-you-re-a-democrat-and-the-new-york-times-is-calling-for-your-head/)

[Mark McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mckinnon/)

> [I am committed to doing customer service for Craigslist for the rest of my life. The exit strategy is death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-newmark/i-am-committed-to-doing-customer-service-for-craigslist-for-the-rest/)

[Craig Newmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-newmark/)

> [The entrance strategy is actually more important than the exit strategy,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-lampert/the-entrance-strategy-is-actually-more-important-than-the-exit/)

[Edward Lampert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-lampert/)

> [Pentagon records show that at least 8,000 members of the all-volunteer U.S. Army have deserted since the Iraq war began. Hey, at least somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/pentagon-records-show-that-at-least-8-000-members-of-the-all/)

[Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/)

## More by Jill Shalvis

> [“But dammit, she was tired. Tired of doing what was expected, tired of feeling like she was missing something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/but-dammit-she-was-tired-tired-of-doing-what-was-expected-tired-of/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“And not that I don't love those words, but what were you wrong about?" "Walking away from you." She stepped into him. "I'm done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/and-not-that-i-don-t-love-those-words-but-what-were-you-wrong-about/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“This put her in the possession of two guns. I Love Lucy does Criminal Minds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/this-put-her-in-the-possession-of-two-guns-i-love-lucy-does-criminal/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“What is it with us?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/what-is-it-with-us/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“The kiss had been shockingly... wow. Which had led to one thing or another, and some more wow, along with a good dash of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/the-kiss-had-been-shockingly-wow-which-had-led-to-one-thing-or/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“I've given up men. It's true. At first, I was just going to give up attorneys, but that seemed immature - and far too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/i-ve-given-up-men-it-s-true-at-first-i-was-just-going-to-give-up/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [Where did that flashlight come from?" Chloe asked. "My purse." Chloe looked at Tara. "She carries a flashlight in her purse." "For emergencies," Maddie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/where-did-that-flashlight-come-from-chloe-asked-my-purse-chloe-looked/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [Logan, why aren't you wearing protection?" The radio crackled, and then came Logan's voice. "I have 'protection' in my bag," he said. "But as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/logan-why-aren-t-you-wearing-protection-the-radio-crackled-and-then/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“So what do you think I should do for myself then?" "Whatever feels right." She stared at him for the longest beat, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/so-what-do-you-think-i-should-do-for-myself-then-whatever-feels-right/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“With a smug smirk, he kissed her again, then slid into her. Pleasure flooded her, so intense it arched her back and had her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/with-a-smug-smirk-he-kissed-her-again-then-slid-into-her-pleasure/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“I think you have a case of being a little girl. Maybe you should prescribe yourself a heavy dose of man-the-fuck-up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/i-think-you-have-a-case-of-being-a-little-girl-maybe-you-should/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“She was like a drug. The most addicting kind, and he had a problem—he was pretty sure that she was developing feelings for him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/she-was-like-a-drug-the-most-addicting-kind-and-he-had-a-problem-he/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [“Let me in.' 'Come to the door.' You always demanding like that? No wonder she isn't answering. Try asking sometime. Not all women will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/let-me-in-come-to-the-door-you-always-demanding-like-that-no-wonder/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [Forever this time," he said as Sawyer strode toward them. Tara sighed blissfully. "You know what this means, right?" "I'm done guessing," he said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/forever-this-time-he-said-as-sawyer-strode-toward-them-tara-sighed/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

> [Remember, you’re unique. And so is everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/remember-you-re-unique-and-so-is-everyone-else/)

[Jill Shalvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

[Explore all 356 Jill Shalvis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/)

## More Exit Strategy quotes

> [Pentagon records show that at least 8,000 members of the all-volunteer U.S. Army have deserted since the Iraq war began. Hey, at least somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/pentagon-records-show-that-at-least-8-000-members-of-the-all/)

[Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/)

> [The entrance strategy is actually more important than the exit strategy,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-lampert/the-entrance-strategy-is-actually-more-important-than-the-exit/)

[Edward Lampert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-lampert/)

> [I am committed to doing customer service for Craigslist for the rest of my life. The exit strategy is death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-newmark/i-am-committed-to-doing-customer-service-for-craigslist-for-the-rest/)

[Craig Newmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-newmark/)

> [If you're a Democrat and 'The New York Times' is calling for your head, you know it's time for an exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mckinnon/if-you-re-a-democrat-and-the-new-york-times-is-calling-for-your-head/)

[Mark McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mckinnon/)

> [Actions speak louder than words...silence speaks volumes...and just being busy with life...well, that's just a clever exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-speak-louder-than-words-silence-speaks-volumes-and-just-being/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It is irresponsible for this Congress to not investigate the President's lack of an exit strategy, and the fraud, waste, and abuse of U.S.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-carnahan/it-is-irresponsible-for-this-congress-to-not-investigate-the/)

[Russ Carnahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-carnahan/)

> [Death is my exit strategy. I'll be doing significant customer service only as long as I live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-newmark/death-is-my-exit-strategy-i-ll-be-doing-significant-customer-service/)

[Craig Newmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-newmark/)

> [If we are going to commit American troops, we must be certain they have a clear mission, an achievable goal and an exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hughes/if-we-are-going-to-commit-american-troops-we-must-be-certain-they/)

[Karen Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hughes/)

> [If there is one thing BP's 'watery improv act' made clear, it is that, as a culture, we have become far too willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/if-there-is-one-thing-bp-s-watery-improv-act-made-clear-it-is-that-as/)

[Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/)

> [“The doctrine of "exit strategy" fundamentally misunderstands the nature of war and, more generally, the nature of historical action. for the knowledge of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-wieseltier/the-doctrine-of-exit-strategy-fundamentally-misunderstands-the-nature/)

[Leon Wieseltier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-wieseltier/)

> [“he liked to say he didn’t have an exit strategy—he was building a company for the long term.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stone/he-liked-to-say-he-didn-t-have-an-exit-strategy-he-was-building-a/)

[Brad Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stone/)

> [President Obama is sending a couple hundred troops to Iraq. We spent six years trying to figure a way to get out of Iraq.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/president-obama-is-sending-a-couple-hundred-troops-to-iraq-we-spent/)

[David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/)

> [Congress and the American people have good reason to fear that we are heading toward another permanent garrison of Americans in a Balkan country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/congress-and-the-american-people-have-good-reason-to-fear-that-we-are/)

[John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/)

> [No smart woman should ever file for divorce without a strategic plan of action which includes a full exit strategy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-smart-woman-should-ever-file-for-divorce-without-a-strategic-plan/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [ What is needed \[to combat terrorism\], in my view, is resolve, not retreat; courage, not concession. Rather than thinking in terms of an exit… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/what-is-needed-to-combat-terrorism-in-my-view-is-resolve-not-retreat/)

[Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/)

[Browse all 49 Exit Strategy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exit-strategy/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The whole birth thing though,” Elle said. “It just seems like a poor exit strategy, doesn’t it?”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jill Shalvis"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-it-just-seems-like-a-poor-exit/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Exit Strategy"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-it-just-seems-like-a-poor-exit/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/jill-shalvis-838_exit-strategy_the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-i_2505541.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/jill-shalvis-838_exit-strategy_the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-i_2505541.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c42/jill-shalvis-838_exit-strategy_the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-i_2505541.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The whole birth thing though,” Elle said. “It just seems like a poor exit strategy, doesn’t it?” — Jill Shalvis",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jill Shalvis",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-shalvis/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The whole birth thing though,” Elle...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-it-just-seems-like-a-poor-exit/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-shalvis/the-whole-birth-thing-though-elle-said-it-just-seems-like-a-poor-exit/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
