Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
39(39%)
4 stars
35(35%)
3 stars
26(26%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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The only lighter book I read during my first pregnancy was truly a welcome read.

When pregnant, we often find ourselves bogged down by the descriptive and scientific manuals that are as thick as doorstops. Of course, we want to be well-informed, but it's really nice to come across something that takes us out of our own heads and helps us see the humorous side of growing a human.

Jenny McCarthy's first pregnancy wasn't a pretty picture, and she shares all the details with us, from her significant weight gain to her morning sickness, gas, water retention, cravings, and hormonal rages. She also goes through her labor in great detail, which is both terrifying and hilarious. In true McCarthy style, she is honest and crass, but I love her for her self-deprecating humor and unapologetic openness. There are so many laughs in this book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is pregnant and feeling self-conscious or worn out by their changing body.

Let me leave you with this quote from a section in the book where McCarthy describes sitting in a crowded waiting room before seeing a doctor about her pregnancy-induced constipation:

"I knew what they were thinking: 'Jenny McCarthy has butt hole problems?' I was so embarrassed, until I realized that they had no right to be smirking: Those assholes were also there because of their own assholes. I felt better already."
July 15,2025
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This was a truly enjoyable and rapid read.

I found myself chuckling out loud on multiple occasions, which provided a wonderful respite from the intense anxiety that can sometimes accompany reading a chapter of "What to Expect When You're Expecting".

The miracle of life is filled with so many absurd elements, and having a sense of humor about it really helps.

Moreover, it was heartening to learn that a celebrity had gained 60 pounds during her pregnancy.

This made me feel much better, as it means that unless I gain 45 pounds in the next two and a half months, I'm doing just fine.

Overall, this light-hearted read was a great source of entertainment and reassurance.
July 15,2025
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I haven't laughed that hard at a book in quite some time.

Jenny McCarthy completely tells it like it is for pregnant women. At least from what I've experienced so far, and that's quite a lot in this book!

It's a fun read about the "joys" of pregnancy, the scares, and sometimes the dreadful things that your body goes through.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is pregnant. It can provide them with a sense of comfort and understanding, knowing that they're not alone in their experiences.

For those who are trying to get pregnant, it can give them a preview of what might come their way.

And for those who have already had children, it can bring back memories and make them laugh at the crazy things that happened during their pregnancies.

This book is a must-read for anyone in the world of pregnancy and motherhood.
July 15,2025
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I just completed this book, and truly, it wasn't until I reached the very last page that I was able to make up my mind about whether or not I would recommend it. Lol. I'm not pregnant myself, but as I was reading, I was certain that my final verdict would hinge on the answer to this question: "If I were pregnant, would this book make me more likely to freak out, or would it offer me a much-needed laugh in the face of pregnancy fears?"

Well, right from the beginning, it was evident that Jenny, a comedic actress, was sharing her personal pregnancy experience with the aim of inspiring pregnant women to find humor in all the strange things happening to their bodies. (And by strange, I really mean strange!) From the "Psycho Chick" hormone surges to popped ribs, rashes, fainting spells, and even pooping on the delivery table, it seemed like Jenny had endured every quirky and crazy thing that could possibly occur during pregnancy. And while it was highly entertaining, I have to admit that after a while, Jenny's penchant for dwelling on the grossest details of every situation became a bit off-putting. To be fair, though, this is a book advertised as "the naked truth about pregnancy and childbirth" written by a comedienne, so a little emphasis on "poop humor" was to be anticipated. Lol.

In the end, I determined that I could, with a clear conscience, recommend this book to a pregnant woman in need of a good laugh. Jenny's approach is light-hearted, and her enthusiasm for her pregnancy is contagious. And despite how crazy her experience was, I still felt that her idiosyncratic fears and feelings were reflective of those of many other pregnant women. I was also pleased to learn that a portion of the proceeds from this book was earmarked for a teen pregnancy prevention program.

At any rate, I give Jenny credit for not only presenting the positive aspects but also openly admitting to the less pleasant and downright ugly parts of her pregnancy, all in the name of preventing other pregnant women from panicking when things get messy (quite literally) on the delivery table =p. That alone is, in my opinion, worth a star or two ;)
July 15,2025
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I read this book during my very first pregnancy. It was truly a blessing as it offered some much-needed comic relief. Dealing with the all-too-familiar pregnancy woes such as morning sickness, those uncomfortable Braxton Hicks contractions, and the ever-present labor anxiety was no easy feat. But this book managed to bring a smile to my face and lighten my mood. It was a quick and light read, which was perfect for those moments when I just wanted to escape from the discomforts of pregnancy for a while. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the humorous anecdotes and relatable stories shared in the book. It made me feel less alone in my pregnancy journey and gave me a new perspective on the whole experience. I would highly recommend this book to any expectant mother looking for a bit of entertainment and a break from the stress of pregnancy.

July 15,2025
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My first encounter with a Jenny McCarthy romp was quite an experience.

It was a rather good blend of grossness, comedy, and authenticity. I began reading the book when I was approximately 4 months pregnant. However, as pregnancy got busier, I had to put the book down a few days before going into labor. Finally, I managed to finish the book almost exactly 9 months after giving birth.

Make no mistake, I truly enjoyed the book and found it both humorous and authentic. But I just couldn't read Jenny McCarthy's work straight through. It was quite interesting to read the first half of the book, which was about pregnancy itself, during my own pregnancy. And then, months after going through my own labor and delivery (albeit in a much less dramatic way than what was described in Jenny's book!), I finally completed the labor and delivery chapter.

Although my experiences differed significantly from hers, it was still a fun read. If there's one thing you can say about Jenny McCarthy, it's that she's brutally honest. I will definitely read more of her works in the future.

I look forward to seeing what other humorous and honest stories she has to share.
July 15,2025
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This book is penned by McCarthy, who is not a highly studied author. Instead, she writes in a conversational tone.

Her intention is to have a frank discussion about her pregnancy experience, and she accomplishes this. It's not a research-based textbook on pregnancy, nor does it claim to be.

I came across many negative reviews of this short memoir, which I believed were rather unfair. McCarthy's stories are enjoyable precisely because of the aforementioned tone, which is so distinct from that of the majority of pregnancy books. Moreover, she is characteristically willing to discuss topics that most people or books shy away from, such as defecating on the delivery table. She delves deep into her actual emotions regarding her various pregnancy symptoms, something else not commonly found in a typical pregnancy book.

Admittedly, after reading this book following McCarthy's divorce, one truly realizes how much of a jerk her then-husband was to her. It does somewhat detract from the lightheartedness intended by the writing style. However, she doesn't seem to deliberately portray her husband as a villain. In fact, she blames herself, attributing his poor behavior to pregnancy-induced mood swings. I'm glad that she opened her eyes later in life and divorced this man.

Reading non-fiction some years after it's written always alters how the text is received. One can see the past McCarthy's lack of concern for natural foods and lifestyle. She is now very health-conscious, largely due to her son's medical issues in childhood. I truly don't think she would make the same birth or feeding choices if she were to have another child. Although I do feel the need to mention a woman's right to choose epidurals, formula feeding, or anything else that a woman feels is right for her body and her family, even if they're not the same choices I would make.

All in all, I adored this book. It was funny and frank, everything I expect and enjoy from Jenny McCarthy. The comedy style is typical of McCarthy humor. If you're not familiar with her, I would describe her comedy as being geared towards a young adult audience, with a touch of "potty humor." It's not for everyone.

Don't give this book to someone unless you know they appreciate this kind of humor and such casual writing. Otherwise, it's going to continue to receive criticism from an audience it wasn't intended for, like your finishing school headmaster or your English lit. major roommate.

I loved it and highly recommend it.
July 15,2025
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This book had such an impact on me that it made me pee my pants.

Hey, come on! I was pregnant at that time! Cut me some slack!

I'm quite certain that I read the entire book aloud to my husband. However, he could only catch bits and pieces of what I was saying because I was laughing uproariously.

I read it on a Sunday afternoon and I'm determined to purchase it for every single one of my friends when they become pregnant.

Jenny McCarthy's writing in this book is truly remarkable. It has the power to make you experience a wide range of emotions - from vomiting (figuratively speaking) to laughing out loud, from crying to being scared out of your wits, all within the pages of one book!

It's absolutely FANTASTIC!! I highly recommend it to all expecting mothers or anyone who enjoys a good, entertaining read.

You won't be disappointed!
July 15,2025
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I have an intense love for this book.

It is not only extremely informative but also highly entertaining with its funny anecdotes and relatable stories.

As I was reading, it truly gave me the sense that I wasn't alone in going through all the so-called "joys" of pregnancy.

The author has written it in a very down-to-earth tone, which makes it even more engaging and accessible.

I am now eagerly looking forward to reading 'Baby Laughs' as well.

I have a feeling that it will be just as wonderful and filled with valuable insights and heartwarming moments.

I can't wait to embark on that reading journey and discover what else the author has in store for us.

Overall, this book has been a great find and has made my pregnancy experience a little more enjoyable and less isolating.

I would highly recommend it to any expectant mother out there.
July 15,2025
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Although I had high expectations for this book, I would still recommend it.

In fact, I would even be willing to read it again.

Before thinking about pregnancy, I was extremely eager to know every single detail.

I was confident that Jenny McCarthy would present the information in a straightforward and honest way, which is precisely the reason why I decided to purchase this book.

It provided me with valuable insights and knowledge that I otherwise might not have obtained.

The author's writing style was engaging and easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.

Despite not meeting all of my initial expectations, it still managed to offer useful and interesting content.

I believe that anyone who is considering pregnancy or is interested in learning more about the topic would benefit from reading this book.

It serves as a great resource and can help answer many of the questions and concerns that expectant parents may have.

Overall, I am satisfied with my purchase and would recommend it to others.
July 15,2025
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This book was truly hilarious. It was an extremely easy read that could be finished in no time. What's more, it was completely honest, presenting the facts and experiences without any sugarcoating. However, it should be noted that the author is very blunt with her language. If you are the kind of person who doesn't like such straightforward表达方式, then you probably won't appreciate this book as much as others might.

Nevertheless, this is a great book for pregnant moms. It can provide them with valuable insights and useful information about what to expect during pregnancy. It can also offer some entertainment and relaxation during this special time. Similarly, it is also a wonderful choice for moms who have just delivered. They can relate to the author's experiences and find comfort and support in the book. Overall, despite its blunt language, this book has a lot to offer and is definitely worth reading for the target audience.

July 15,2025
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The only word that truly comes to my mind to describe this book is "cute".

It's not so much an educational tome on pregnancy as it is a comforting volume that reassures you that you're not alone in this journey.

It's refreshingly and humorously honest, hitting the nail on the head in many aspects. I had numerous "YES!" moments when the author described a symptom or emotion that I'd been experiencing but wasn't sure was normal.

The writing may not be spectacular, but that's not the point. It's presented in a conversational style that makes you feel as if you're chatting with a girlfriend over drinks, and you almost forget that you're reading.

It's an easy, short read that can be completed in one sitting. For anyone like me, waiting for the "magic" of pregnancy to kick in (you know, those women who absolutely loved being pregnant...??), it's reassuring to know that you're not the only one having a bit of a struggle.

Even for someone with the financial means and time for personal trainers, stylists, and gym memberships, pregnancy wasn't always the miraculous happy time that we're often led to believe. If the weight gain, exhaustion, emotions, and self-consciousness can affect even a former Playmate, there may still be hope for me.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all expectant women or those trying to conceive. HOWEVER.... be prepared. The author is crass, extremely blunt, and doesn't hold back. This book is definitely not for the more conservative crowd. She tells it like it is, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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