Book Review: The Pregnancy Diaries Vol. 1 by Googie McCabe

Infused with the vast and never-ending love of a mum for her unborn daughter, The Pregnancy Diaries Volume 1 is an absolutely hilarious, witty and enjoyable romp through pregnancy from conception to birth. Any woman who has given birth (or any supportive man who has gone along for the journey) will be able to relate to this book and thoroughly enjoy it.

The wit and self-deprecating humour of this book is laugh out loud funny. In fact I snorted out cups of tea and coffee while reading it. The drawings and words that accompany the week-by-week updates of Googie’s ever-expanding belly, from ‘bean’ to beautiful human being, are filled with an odd kind of joy, combined with visceral pain and laughter.

They said about the pregnancy glow…it hasn’t even brushed against me! Where’s the glow goddamit it? Where’s the glow?

The Pregnancy Diaries Vol. 1

This book explodes a lot of myths about pregnancy being smooth sailing. Misconceptions collide headlong with the reality of pregnancy in all of its messy, uncomfortable glory. From the first glance at a scan, to the first quickening stir in the belly to a soundtrack of Motörhead.

Can I get a return ticket to the past, simply to high five myself with a chair?

The Pregnancy Diaries Vol. 1

There are also the unexpected emissions from every orifice – valleys and mountains of puke and gaseous farts. All of this book from start to finish is an absolute delight that will draw you in and make you laugh.

Questions that bother a dehydrated mind

Do bears puke when pregnant?

Do elephants get morning sickness too?

How is it possible that I feel so shit? How?

The Pregnancy Diaries Vol. 1

If you know someone who is expecting and you’re looking for the perfect funny and high quality gift for a Baby Shower or expecting mum’s birthday – then this book is it!

Alternately, this also makes a great gift for mums who have already had their children. Any mum will be able to have a good belly laugh about this.

I don’t really care if you’re a boy or a girl. As far as we’re concerned you can be both, who cares? Just don’t be an asshole.

The Pregnancy Diaries Vol. 1

The Pregnancy Diaries takes lemons and makes lemonade. Googie makes light and good-natured humour from an often challenging and confusing time for first time mums, as their bodies change shape and their minds get flooded by hormones. Indeed, she admirably calls her work the ‘Art of Survival by Laughter’.

This book is incredibly touching because it’s profoundly personal. Googie wrote it for her first daughter Nina while she was pregnant. This is a moving story of the immense love for a human not yet living in the waking world. The saga of Googie’s changing body and all that she went through will be a treasure for her kids. Luckily for all of us – it’s a treasure the whole world can enjoy too. *****

Googie McCabe is a talented Polish/British artist and author. Her creations include The Pregnancy Diaries Volume 1 (Volume 2 is soon to be released) along with Two Sisters: Unsolicited Advice for my Daughters. She lives in Kent with her husband, two daughters, pets and an assortment of hedgehogs that she cares for in her garden. Googie also does art commissions, book illustrations and more. Read more in this interview on my blog.

Buy the Pregnancy Diaries Vol. 1

It’s the perfect gift for an expecting mum, or a mum reminiscing on a dramatic and full on period of life.

Visit Googie’s website or follow her on Twitter