It's Really 10 Months: The Glow of Pregnancy and Other Blatant Lies

by Natalie Guenther

To: Moms (or Dads) to Be
From: Celeste, Kim & Natalie
Subject: It’s Really 10 Months!

No one ever tells you about all of the crap that happens to you when you’re pregnant. Like, for example, it’s not nine months, it’s ten long months.

We are three thirty-something women who were fortunate enough to be pregnant at the same time. We shared our questions, fears, humor, and experiences through emails, which became our lifeline and virtual support group. Here, we share the good, the bad, and the ugly of our experiences. We do not hold back for the squeamish or the faint of heart—you need the truth, and now!

We are all social workers with graduate education, and we have all worked in the obstetrical units of hospitals for many years. Along the way, we thought it might be helpful to have someone sane weigh in on our hormonal ramblings, so we asked Dr. Bob, a specialist in high-risk pregnancies to help us out. But, we know that all of this experience is nothing like being pregnant yourself!

So prop up your cankles, rest this book upon your shelf of a belly, and check out our email log. We made it through the entire experience and lived to tell the tale—and you will too.

*Winner of Mom's Choice Award

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Parenting

307 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 16, 2013

About the author

The creative writer and dreamer. This is the poor soul who thought she’d be lunching with friends and leisurely shopping while on maternity leave. Poor thing didn’t even see the truck that hit her. Natalie holds a master’s degree in social work and works in the field of brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. She, her husband, and their three kids live in Omaha.

Reviews

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun, fact-checked, girlfriend's guide to pregnancy, built on the premise of three women emailing each other through the latter half of their pregnancies. The authors have a doctor check in on the realities of what they are discussing, providing a voice of reason or a voice of consolation as needed. Because the women had unique experiences and problems, it helped normalize pregnancy for me. One already had a child, one had step children, and one was a total newbie. Two were worriers and one was more relaxed.

I found their discussions of the aftereffects of pregnancy powerful as that is where so many books leave off. One had a very complicated post-delivery with a child with allergies and colic and some healing trouble that nearly led to surgery. Seeing her struggle helped prepare me to cope with the challenges that lay ahead.

They also helpfully discussed that sad, sad day when you outgrow your maternity clothes. I wish I had known that last go round!

A good read and a good look at smooth and rough pregnancies in clear contrast.

[Peyton Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids have been tying their own shoes for quite some time now, but reading the funny and frank exchanges among these three pregnant friends took me right back. They perfectly capture that strange feeling of not knowing exactly what is going on inside you. . .but maybe not wanting to know. . .OK I wanna know, just tell me. Their vivid descriptions made my ladyparts cringe. (I simultaneously Kegeled because I was laughing at the same time.) If you need some girlfriends to keep you company as you progress from panicky prego to blissed out baby mama, Natalie, Celeste and Kim are your girls.

[Michelle Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me laughing out loud more than once! I really enjoyed reading about Kim, Natalie, and Celeste's pregnancies and all that went with it. It was a no holds barred look at three different pregnancies that not only entertained me, but helped prepare me for my pregnancy and the birth of my child. I enjoyed the humor of it, the comments from an actual doctor, and the quick tips from the three ladies. I've already bought two of the books they recommended!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect baby shower gift!
I couldn't get enough of these stories. I'm not pregnant, not a parent, and don't plan on being either any time soon, but I loved this book! The email communication between the three girls made me feel like I was right with them through their pregnancies and "The Taco Bell" debacle. I would recommend this to anyone that is in need for a funny read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny - these girls are hilarious!
For anyone who is currently pregnant or knows someone who is, and also for everyone who has gone through it. My last pregnancy was in 1996 and I laughed until I cried multiple times. Great book about the truth about pregnancy.

[Lore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and slightly horrifying. I think these ladies need to check their math on the whole 10 months things though. There are 4 1/2 months in each month not 4. Logic problems are annoying and that really annoyed me.

[Danielle Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read!

As a newly pregnant woman in her 30's I was looking for a book written in language that I c would understand. This was it. l only wish I had waited to finish and deliver with one of these ladies. It will lift your spirit and make you smile!

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 this book was super funny and a very open telling of what their pregnancies were like. I think if you are looking for informative this isn't the best book but if you just want to read someone else explain pregnancy woes it's worth the read

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stuff. Very funny.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed reading this one! It was a fun, fact-filled, humorous book about pregnancy!

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It’s Really 10 Months” is a fun read when you’re pregnant and need a break from all the cut and dry pregnant and baby development books. I did read this book post pregnancy so I cannot say how it felt to read through the birth stories unaffected by my own, but I can say that it reminded me how much pain there was and how unpleasant the recovery period was. Reading their stories almost felt like reliving mine. The first part of the books is a little slow and I thought the emails felt a little forced and unrealistic. But then they loosen up and it feels like a conversation between close friends. Some sections really got me laughing out loud. One of my favorites was on page 69 “I’m sure things are wild and unruly, and I hope that the medical staff can actually find the child through the forest.”

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of stories from pregnancy to after delivery from real people that lived it and not afraid to share their stories in raw form. I found myself laughing on multiple occasions and sharing my favorites with my husband. I really enjoyed this book.

[Glenys Salas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barrel of laughs. Light on substance, heavy on fun. This book will make you feel like you're not alone.

[megan-redwitch · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book is fun but for me there were two reasons it just didn't do much for me - one, it isn't very informative, while it makes you feel better about your cranky aches & pains because you feel like they've been experienced by others it is actually pretty limited in scope unless you are experiencing the exact things they end up talking about; two, & perhaps related, is that the book actually starts well into all of their pregnancies - it would have been nice to hear about dealing w. the initial realization, those anxieties, & things that effect you early on when you're present as sometimes that being your first experiences they are even more worrisome / your are more looking for commiseration & support about. so while i liked the premise i wouldn't recommend it highly. although as i said it was fun, because the people are quippy & sarcastic & caring. so i wouldn't tell you not to read it either.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book of short stories was pretty entertaining. It definitely had me laughing out loud at points. A fun easy ready for those who are expecting.

[Sara McInerney Hauck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for an honest, real and the ugly truth behind what everyone loves to cover with sunshine and rainbows - pregnancy! I appreciate this book and the honest stories very much.

[Lou-Lou Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
Highly entertaining and amusing short stories about birth and it's unexpected complications and joys.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun read, good for a few laughs. I stumbled upon the book while looking for titles that are more factual and informative about pregnancy, and I thought "Why not?"

I didn't expect to enjoy the format, but it worked. The book is comprised of e-mails exchanged among three friends who happened to be pregnant at the same time. Their messages authentically depict the anxieties and joys of pregnancy as well as the pressing need for a robust sense of humor during these months.

I would recommend the title to any first-time expectant mom who might appreciate knowing that others women have been just as anxious and confused as she currently is.

[CHERYLE O'MALLEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS PRETTY FUNNY AND INFORMATIVE, ESPECIALLY FOR FIRST-TIME MOMS WHO MAY NOT KNOW MUCH OF WHAT TO EXPECT DURING PREGNANCY AND DELIVERY. IT'S A RELATIVELY FAST READ, A COUPLE DAYS ON AVERAGE. THE ONLY COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL SHORT SECTIONS WRITTEN IN VERY VERY SMALL PRINT THAT I COULDN'T READ EVEN WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS. THAT BEING SAID, IF YOU HAVE POOR EYESIGHT YOU MIGHT WANT TO SAVE YOUR MONEY AND NOT PURCHASE THIS BOOK.

[Teri Biebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic from start to finish! I wish it was written back a thousand years ago when I was pregnant with my kids. GREAT gift for a mom-to-be, and just a fun easy read even if you're not having a baby!

[Nevy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny

So funny

This book made me lol for real. I'm not pregnant yet, but hoping for it soon. It was good to read some of the candid things other people won't tell you. Thanks to Natalie, Kim, and Celeste for sharing.

[Jessah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is reminiscent of the emails I exchanged with my own girlfriends during our concurrent pregnancies, but perhaps a little more graphic - which I appreciated! Definitely made me laugh out loud, and helped me to feel prepared for whatever came my way during my own pregnancy and labor.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readable and entertaining enough. I read it for research for an article I was writing. Funny in parts. Very American.

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Full of humor.

I honestly cracked up. A great read! I'm thankful for an honest accounting of the ten months of pregnancy from these women.

[Kristi · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - a series of boring emails between 3 women about their pregnancies