When the Belly Button Pops, the Baby's Done: A Month-By-Month Guide to Surviving (and Loving) Your Pregnancy

I absolutely LOVE this book and I can not recommend it enough. I had read "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy" and liked it enough, but this book had a huge component which was missing from "Girlfriend's Guide" - the spiritual side of pregnancy which is so important to me. Lori has written such a wonderful book, complete with verses in a non-threatening way and appropriate for all pregnant women, despite differing religious beliefs. She has presented so much information, from before the pregnancy to the ride home from the hospital. This is all presented honestly, with an awesome sense of humor. Panels of her girlfriends answer questions about various topics, such as the decision to return to work, how to tell co-workers and family that one is expecting, maternity clothes (the good, the bad, and the ugly), what to do about typical pregnancy worries along with recommended books for a given month, a "To Do" list for the month, and a journal she had written for her second son closes each chapter. She covers the spiritual side injected with a warm sense of humor. I felt bad when I was getting to the end of the book, I never wanted it to end and I couldn't put it down. I can not recommend this book highly enough, and I'm recommending this book to everyone around me who is pregnant. Such a fun and helpful book, and I look forward to reading more of Lori Craker's books.

Desperately searching for a cute book to give an expectant friend, I again turned to Lorilee Craker's fresh, fun style of writing. And I, too, could not disagree more w/ Spelly regarding the spiritual content of this book. While the vast majority of books on pregnancy and childbirth are secular in nature, it was wonderful to find one that had a spiritual ~ no, CHRISTIAN ~ content. The Biblical thread was interwoven throughout this book with a wonderfully quiet spirit. It would offend neither those who aren't Christians, nor those who are more mature in their faith walks. ...and my friend who received this book as a "Gee-I'm-So-Happy-You're-Pregnant!" gift? She loved it, too!

I'm not sure what spelly_binding is talking about, because I found the opposite to be true of Lorilee Craker's book. I could not more highly endorse this book - it is original both in writing style and information. If you're pregnant, then this book is a must-have!

What a fun book! And what a pleasant change from the preachy seriousness or sassy sarcasm of many pregnancy books these days. Craker offers loads of practical advice, addressing a pregnant woman's basic concerns from before conception through birth (yes, she talks about sex - very wittily). The format of the book is nicely varied, with sidebars, lists of tips, reading suggestions, and - my favorite - "the pregnant pals panels" in which several different pregnant women comment on common concerns like "How can Hubby and I share this experience?" An important difference between this and other pregnancy guides is Craker's respect for women's spiritual lives. Rather than ignoring the subject of God completely, Craker simply urges readers at times of fear or anxiety (so common during pregnancy!) to draw strength from God in whatever way they can manage. The best aspect of the book, though, is Craker's tone: she addresses the reader throughout in a spirit of delight, encouragement, and fun.

This was by far the best book about pregnancy that I have read. It provides the reader with the "real deal" about pregnancy, things only your girlfriend would have told you (if you're lucky), so there are minimal surprises throughout your pregnancy/delivery. The book is written in such a way that you feel as if you are having a conversation with a good friend, and she's giving you the "low-down" on pregnancy and delivery by not only sharing her own story, but by giving researched facts and stories by other women. Craker does a great job of pointing out the challenges of pregnancy/delivery but also the amazing handiwork of God through the development and birth of a child. The book was hilarious and true! I plan to buy it for all of my expectant friends.