Bear With Me: What They Don't Tell You About Pregnancy and New Motherhood

by Diane Flacks

Toronto comedy writer/performer Diane Flacks has written a frank and funny account of her pregnancy and the first months with her newborn. In the twenty-first century, it is hard to imagine that having a baby is still shrouded in secrecy and mythology. And yet many women go through their pregnancy with a sense of isolation and without an outlet to express their fears, doubts, and wonder. There is so much more to pregnancy than What to Expect When You’re Expecting. In Bear With Me, readers will discover the truth about pregnancy – poignantly and hilariously. It is important to know how Dr. Sears suggests you work a nasal aspirator, but how do you get through your thirtieth day of morning sickness without shooting someone?!

Diane Flacks, who has written for Kids in the Hall and appeared with the Royal Canadian Air Farce, is open about her own experiences: dealing with hormonal mood swings and a changing body image, sex with a burgeoning belly, what really happens in the labour room, and (horror of horrors) becoming your mom. Flacks is witty, urbane, and refreshingly honest. In Bear With Me readers will find a voice that welcomes, does not judge or hide, and will make you laugh out loud.

Genres: Nonfiction

248 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2005

Reviews

[Rebecca MacDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely essential reading for the pregnant person. Hilarious and poignant.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A frank and funny look at pregnancy, broken into all stages. Highly recommended!

[Vicki Rivard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ohhhh how I loved this gift of a book! I found it equal parts informative, inspiring, and HILARIOUS. I enjoyed the author's honesty (she doesn't sugar coat things) and sense of humour (she doesn't take things too seriously, either). Reading this book felt like being hugged and warmly welcomed to the hard/dirty/heartwrenching/beautiful/wondrous mamahood club. I am so grateful I picked up this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious yet honest look at being pregnant and having a baby. I haven't had one yet but hope to soon so to be honest it kinda scared me a bit but at least I know what to expect now instead of some rose colored version of it all.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book makes me laugh. At Flacks, at myself and at every 'bizarre' thing you go through when you're knocked up. I laughed maniacally for 20 minutes straight the other night because of her description of how you get so absent minded during pregnancy. Luke did not see the hilarity.

[CoCo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this many years ago. Scared the living jebus out of me about vaginal birth. Which I think was unnecessary, after I gave birth myself a couple of times.

That said, other tidbits were thoughtful, insightful and inspiring. And hilarious. One of my fave books.

[Meg]

funfun.

[Mimi]

hilarious - a must-read for expectant and new parents

[Lindsay Almeida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best pregnancy book I've ever read. An accurate and comedic portrayal from conception to the first birthday.

[Darthtunaqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, light hearted pregnancy book, that doesn't take itself too seriously!