Exploiting My Baby

A friend of mine let me borrow Exploiting My Baby by Teresa Strasser.  Strasser gives her account of pregnancy, birth, and first few weeks of being a mom without any reservations.  She talks about everything that happens to her, no matter how gross/uncomfortable it is.  Poop? Check.  Stretch marks? Check.  Sex? Check.  It's the first pregnancy book that I have read and it was nice not to have her telling me how fantastic she feels all the time.  In fact, she makes fun of these people.

I could relate to many of her topics.  Her chapter on missing toxins, is relate able.  I've been missing having wine, caffeine, and not worrying about what medicine I can take.  She also has segments on people to punch.  The great sleepers, the maternity models, and people who keep opinions to themselves to name a few. 

There are some things she goes over, that thankful I haven't had to deal with.  For example: excessive weight gain, acne, and paranoid googling.  Everytime I would finish a chapter on one the these I would thank God for being nice to me so far.  To date I'm still down 4 pounds, have clear skin, and took my obgyn's advice on staying away from googling every thing.

I enjoyed the book and if you are looking for a light hearted book about pregnancy/birth then pick this up.  Just don't expect tons of medical advice or what to expect.

Favorite quotes:

• Like it's so special having a baby.  Britney Spears did it twice, so there you go.
• I have to wear my big-girl pants now, and they can't be low-rise.
• Here's what you need to know about exclusively breast-fed babies: They can levitate.
• The second I put my husband's hand on my stomach, the little guy just stops moving.
• Until recently, this was very true for me.
• To my husband and son, my only wish is to continue to deserve you.