I am a twenty-something woman, hoping to be a parent someday but with no kids on the horizon just yet. I knew Ophelia in passing in college, and when she became pregnant with her first child, I read her website eagerly, squirreling away her insights on pregnancy for the future. She told the truth about pregnancy, even when it wasn't pretty (no more taking bladder control for granted!). When I found out she was writing a whole book about pregnancy, I was eager to read it.

This book was just what I was hoping for. It's written informally, with humorous anecdotes and useful information about pregnancy and motherhood. I appreciate Ophelia's honesty; she isn't afraid to talk about things that many pregnancy-related publications gloss over, like postpartum depression. The book touches on a range of topics (including alarming and unexpected physical changes that occur during pregnancy, how to deal with your employer during and after pregnancy, and which baby products are essential) with references provided for more in-depth information.

Should I ever become pregnant, in addition to reading the traditional baby tomes, I'll keep this book on hand for a frank and informative look at pregnancy and motherhood.

I was a first time mother, first time ever pregnant at age 41. I could totally relate. This is wonderful. Love the Freebies section idea, There really are a lot out there!

I read this book cover to cover in almost one sitting and loved it. I'm a brand new dad but I connected with the "mommy" in this book over and over again.

The author dispenses with needless formatting of concepts and expectations and simply gives the nitty-gritty facts and details that one needs to expect and be weary of while pregnant and during the first months/years of parenthood. Ophelia Austin-Small incorporates her own life experiences and those of others into a feel-good storytelling format that allows the reader to lower their guard and feel okay about themselves while also being given insight and tactics to be empowered to deal with life-bearing and life-altering decisions.

Although language and topic can be coarse at points in the book, it helps emphasize that the author is not trying to sell a false, "PC" image but focuses on the often overlooked low-points and uncomfortable topics of motherhood, and parenthood in general.

I picked this book up 10 months after my first child was born, and I'm the father, yet it still held useful information for me and gave me solace knowing others have had similar experiences. Had this book been available two years ago, I would have worn the pages thin by now.

Kudos to this first time author and two time mother in being able to take her own daunting life-bearing experiences and produce a piece of literature that can help others make it through their own experiences with a bit more hope and self-respect.