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Whoa, Baby! A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out
When multi-million-selling vocalist and actress Kelly Rowland gave birth to her son Titan in November 2014, it was love at first sight--she honestly could not believe how beautiful he was. But, as Rowland says, she would be lying if she said she wasn't also a little freaked out about what had just happened to her body, as well as by many overwhelming new thoughts and emotions. It was a good thing that Dr. Tristan Bickman, Rowland's OB/GYN for the last 14 years, was there, day and night, to answer every single question that popped into her head, no matter how raunchy. With Dr. Bickman no topic is off-limits, and she provided Rowland with the reassurance she so desperately needed, telling her over and over that, in the months after a woman gives birth, nothing is exactly strange--but nothing is necessarily normal, either.
There are so many guides to what our kids need, from the time they're the size of a poppy seed to the time they start kindergarten. But what about what the mother needs? In Whoa, Baby!, Rowland and Dr. Bickman team up to cover everything a new mom needs to know: the gross physical stuff; the hormonal and emotional stuff ("Why am I crying five times a day when this is the happiest I've ever been?"); and the just plain weird stuff ("Why did my nipples change colors?"). Listeners will simultaneously cringe in agony and shriek with laughter at the scenarios Rowland and Dr. Bickman describe ("What happens if I fall asleep with the pump on?"; "Why does sex still hurt when I had a C-section?"; "Why are my legs so swollen?").
There are so many guides to what our kids need, from the time they're the size of a poppy seed to the time they start kindergarten. But what about what the mother needs? In Whoa, Baby!, Rowland and Dr. Bickman team up to cover everything a new mom needs to know: the gross physical stuff; the hormonal and emotional stuff ("Why am I crying five times a day when this is the happiest I've ever been?"); and the just plain weird stuff ("Why did my nipples change colors?"). Listeners will simultaneously cringe in agony and shriek with laughter at the scenarios Rowland and Dr. Bickman describe ("What happens if I fall asleep with the pump on?"; "Why does sex still hurt when I had a C-section?"; "Why are my legs so swollen?").
Audio CD
Published April 11, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 29, 2020
A cute, quick read for new, first-time mamas. With so many books and literature on pregnancy, parenting and babies, it’s refreshing to read a book solely about the mama and her new life, body and emotions. However, this book is very basic, high-level, redundant and “overviewish” (as another reviewer put it). If you are looking for a thorough deep-dive on postpartum topics or if you had any complexities with giving birth, this book may just annoy you. Most importantly, it’s hard to believe that this book is actually written in Kelly Rowland’s authentic voice. Majority of the book doesn’t seem genuinely her, moreso the OBGYN that co-wrote it. I would have enjoyed this book much more if it dove into the nuances of being a black mother (given it is supposedly written by Kelly Rowland).
September 15, 2017
2.5 stars
I'll be honest- I mostly read this as I'm a Destiny's Child fan, and only partly because I'm a new mum. This brief book is designed to be a 'go to' book for new mums that *isn't* about parenting- instead it's about what happens to mum after baby is born, including physical changes, emotional changes, how exercise, sex, relationships might be affected, etc. The info in this book is all good (Kelly wrote this with her obstetrician) however it's pretty brief and overviewish. I think if you knew literally nothing about pregnancy/birth this could be a good intro, but it's also all told through the lens of Kelly's own pregnancy, a narrative which can read a little tone deaf at times thanks to her money/celebrity... ie she talks about how hard the first few weeks of having a newborn were even though she and her husband hired a stay in nurse; talks about how she'll need to get her breast implants redone when she's finished nursing; how other mothers will tell you their baby is a perfect sleeper but don't worry coz they probably have 'ugly vaginas'; how going back to work after 2 months was hard even though they had a nanny, etc. It's refreshing how candid Kelly is about her own body & money, but I imagine some less privileged mums would find it disheartening.
I'll be honest- I mostly read this as I'm a Destiny's Child fan, and only partly because I'm a new mum. This brief book is designed to be a 'go to' book for new mums that *isn't* about parenting- instead it's about what happens to mum after baby is born, including physical changes, emotional changes, how exercise, sex, relationships might be affected, etc. The info in this book is all good (Kelly wrote this with her obstetrician) however it's pretty brief and overviewish. I think if you knew literally nothing about pregnancy/birth this could be a good intro, but it's also all told through the lens of Kelly's own pregnancy, a narrative which can read a little tone deaf at times thanks to her money/celebrity... ie she talks about how hard the first few weeks of having a newborn were even though she and her husband hired a stay in nurse; talks about how she'll need to get her breast implants redone when she's finished nursing; how other mothers will tell you their baby is a perfect sleeper but don't worry coz they probably have 'ugly vaginas'; how going back to work after 2 months was hard even though they had a nanny, etc. It's refreshing how candid Kelly is about her own body & money, but I imagine some less privileged mums would find it disheartening.
March 24, 2019
Meh. It didn’t go deep like others I’d read and enjoyed...I’d skip this one.
June 11, 2017
In case you're like me and didn't catch the sub-title on this book - it is a frank, explicit look into pregnancy and childbirth. Uhhh... I just saw the cover and thought "Great! I like Kelly Rowland and celebrity memoirs. Let me start this up to listen to enjoy while I take a long drive." Needless to say, I was way too embarrassed to roll-down my windows while driving. This book is NSFW. But I DIDN'T STOP LISTENING. It was like a car-wreak I couldn't look away from (the content, not the writing!). Oh goodness. I definitely learned some things from this book, if nothing else.
Like I said, this book is very much about pregnancy and childbirth. Rowland talks very little about her personal life and experiences beyond a few anecdotes about her own pregnancy and birth. Her OBGYN and other medical professionals chime in a few times. I suppose the selling feature of this book is that they address "does this happen to anyone else?" gross/embarrassing questions. I am clearly not the target audience for this book. Maybe if you're pregnant and want something a little more colourful than What to Expect When You're Expecting this would be the right book for you? Or if you're full of morbid curiosity just go ahead and read it!
Like I said, this book is very much about pregnancy and childbirth. Rowland talks very little about her personal life and experiences beyond a few anecdotes about her own pregnancy and birth. Her OBGYN and other medical professionals chime in a few times. I suppose the selling feature of this book is that they address "does this happen to anyone else?" gross/embarrassing questions. I am clearly not the target audience for this book. Maybe if you're pregnant and want something a little more colourful than What to Expect When You're Expecting this would be the right book for you? Or if you're full of morbid curiosity just go ahead and read it!
May 9, 2018
This is more like a 1.5 or 2 star book for me, but just because it is a very approachable honest book that focuses on maternal postpartum health I give it some grace.
It DOES touch on a lot of universal recovery and self-esteem issues with humor and mostly good advice. Plus the audiobook is narrated by the author in a dynamic, fun style which made it easy listening!
Downsides for me:
"va-jayjay" is just not a real word and the frequent use here doesn't credit the author too much.
Kelly's experience is fun and informative to read but her resources and lifestyle as a celebrity are far out of the norm.
Natural childbirth is really put down in the beginning which is too bad, the author reinforces that there is essentially "nothing" you can do to prepare for childbirth, so you should just buckle-up. This is also kind of odd since in ch. 18 there is a lot of encouragement to really reflect and prepare for pregnancy and parenting.
Overall it is a pretty okay guide to helping moms answer Q's about their own health in a time usually hyper-focused on baby!
It DOES touch on a lot of universal recovery and self-esteem issues with humor and mostly good advice. Plus the audiobook is narrated by the author in a dynamic, fun style which made it easy listening!
Downsides for me:
"va-jayjay" is just not a real word and the frequent use here doesn't credit the author too much.
Kelly's experience is fun and informative to read but her resources and lifestyle as a celebrity are far out of the norm.
Natural childbirth is really put down in the beginning which is too bad, the author reinforces that there is essentially "nothing" you can do to prepare for childbirth, so you should just buckle-up. This is also kind of odd since in ch. 18 there is a lot of encouragement to really reflect and prepare for pregnancy and parenting.
Overall it is a pretty okay guide to helping moms answer Q's about their own health in a time usually hyper-focused on baby!
May 5, 2017
Whoa, Baby! A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (and Wonder What the #*$& Just Happened) by Kelly Rowland is a funny but very practical approach for new moms.
Kelly talks from her own experiences and put it out there for all moms to enjoy. As a mother of four I wasn't looking for any new tips but just to see how this Grammy Award Winning Singer handles motherhood and if this book was going to a bunch of fluff or real situations that we as moms go through. From the postpartum to weight gain and ultimately even feeling desirable after the baby comes. This was a cute book and I enjoyed it and think that new moms would too! 4 Stars!
Reviewed By: Kisha Green
Format: Paperback
Review Copy Supplied By Publisher
Kelly talks from her own experiences and put it out there for all moms to enjoy. As a mother of four I wasn't looking for any new tips but just to see how this Grammy Award Winning Singer handles motherhood and if this book was going to a bunch of fluff or real situations that we as moms go through. From the postpartum to weight gain and ultimately even feeling desirable after the baby comes. This was a cute book and I enjoyed it and think that new moms would too! 4 Stars!
Reviewed By: Kisha Green
Format: Paperback
Review Copy Supplied By Publisher
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2017
This was an ok quick read. Since I've never had children this did give me more than enough " omg really "moments to be thankful that maybe I didn't. Maybe all new moms are as obsessed as she seemed to be about her vajayjay cause I read that word too many times. Enough to get annoyed by it but overall it was a cute book to read. I can definitely see that some of this information are things I think your girlfriends, who are already moms, may leave out of the new mom narrative just for new moms peace of mind.
April 11, 2018
This is not a memoir, a parenting guide or an informational guide for veteran moms. But it doesn't claim to be. I think it's pretty clear that this is for current first time moms or moms to be. It is mostly motivational and cute but can be useful for first timers. May be better suited for millenials as well. I have a hard time understanding why any reader expects this to be a scientific guide to parenting when it is written by Kelly Rowland and is packaged the way it is. But I digress. This was cute!
May 19, 2017
Very informative for new moms or even veteran moms. I had already bypassed most of the information that was at the beginning of the book but it was great to hear (I listened to the audio book) and learn for the next pregnancy....if there is one.
January 18, 2021
This book is really great. Preparing for pregnancy, classes and books, focus on prenatal but never postpartum and after the baby has arrived. I love the realness of the book and the support it provides. We’re not alone in our pregnancy journeys and this book proves that.
May 13, 2017
More like a conversation with a friend, than a doctor visit.
July 15, 2017
Great insight but I was the assumption it was for expectant first time mothers versus first time mothers! Great info though!
October 1, 2017
Cute and for an expectant momma it’s nice to know what others are going through
April 18, 2018
Quick read and perfect for the week before you deliver. Kelly is so real and the questions she asks her doctor are spot on.
April 16, 2022
Not a ton of this was new for me, but there was some great advice about prioritizing your life even before baby gets here. Makes me very excited!
November 30, 2023
CUTE FOR A NEW MOM
September 1, 2025
very basic, I was annoyed 80% of the time
January 4, 2022
This was such a good book to read while pregnant! Since it was all new to me it was nice to listen to an audio that was so honest. I laughed out loud would recommend this to any new or first time Mom!
October 13, 2018
A refreshingly fun and quick review of life for the new mom. Kelly’s voice comes through like an energetic girlfriend who coaches you and tells you you’re ok. I admittedly picked it up because it’s a bit bizarre to see Rowland on the front, but there’s a reason why she’s in the spotlight - I like her voice!
April 14, 2017
I was really looking forward to this book, and finally after a few days I was able to start reading it. I definitely loved the first part the most (about the ailments), the second part (mostly about life/friends/sex) was still good but I noticed I was drifting off at times.
I was a bit unhappy about the whole: "Yes, those moms who get back in shape are pretty but remember they have ugly vaginas" or "Yes, they have no stretchmarks but remember they have really ugly vaginas" stuff. Is that really necessary? So what if they got the lucky ticket in the pregnancy lottery, is that a reason to say this?
But other than that, this book is written with humour and it is definitely different from other pregnancy/baby books, and I would highly recommend it. Not only do we have Kelly, but also various specialists who talk about pregnancy, babies, and everything else surrounding it before, between and after.
I was a bit unhappy about the whole: "Yes, those moms who get back in shape are pretty but remember they have ugly vaginas" or "Yes, they have no stretchmarks but remember they have really ugly vaginas" stuff. Is that really necessary? So what if they got the lucky ticket in the pregnancy lottery, is that a reason to say this?
But other than that, this book is written with humour and it is definitely different from other pregnancy/baby books, and I would highly recommend it. Not only do we have Kelly, but also various specialists who talk about pregnancy, babies, and everything else surrounding it before, between and after.
April 24, 2017
More cute than informative. Kelly is a friend in my head so I really wanted to give the book a try. It's not terrible, but perhaps because I've already delivered my daughter there was not much in there that applied to me. It didn't truly get interesting until around chapter 10, and I barely made it there considering how many times she said "vajayjay", complained about when her vagina would tighten again, stated that she actually had an amazing pregnancy and ultimately whined again about how her body wasn't quite the same afterwards.
What I can say is that Kelly's tone is always sweet enough that she doesn't completely grate your nerves and there is a doctor contributing to add more substance to the book.
Overall, 3 stars.
What I can say is that Kelly's tone is always sweet enough that she doesn't completely grate your nerves and there is a doctor contributing to add more substance to the book.
Overall, 3 stars.
April 26, 2017
3.5 - Easy, quick read. Not SUPER informative, but has some good info.
April 30, 2017
Finally, a book about new moms that doesn't involved tips/advice on how to parent! Loved Rowland's honesty about taboo subjects like Baby Blues, sex after baby and more. This book is a wealth of great information.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews