The Hot Mom to Be Handbook: Look and Feel Great from Bump to Baby

The Hot Mom to Be Handbook: Look and Feel Great from Bump to Baby is a newly released book that aims to empower mothers, whether you are new to the process or a seasoned pro.  Jessica Denay, the author, is a monthly columnist for Pregnancy Magazine and remains in the know about new products, hot trends for parents, and what Hollywood moms are lovin'.  The Hot Mom to Be Handbook pulls together Jessica's knowledge with real life stories and advice on products and trends from experts and a collection of moms from the "Hot Moms Club". 


Just who are "Hot Moms"?  Very simple - every day moms like you and I.  They just happen to be united through an online community...and hey if joining gets you such an awesome label...how can one really balk at that?  This is actually one of the things I like most about this self-help pregnancy book.  Because it is a compilation of advice and thoughts from such a variety of woman, it never feels preachy.  The tone never tires because it is constantly changed up.  Thus, if you are having one of those days where they hormones are running a bit high and you are feeling a bit sassy, this book will make you feel supported and validated. 


The Hot Mom to Be Handbook is different from many other pregnancy books out there.  You will not find information about your baby's development along the way.  You will not find a plethora of touchy feely journaling about how you love your baby. And don't take this the wrong way - for me, that is the magic of The Hot Mom to Be Handbook...


It is real.


It is candid.


It will make you laugh.


And cry.


It will prepare you for the "real life" things that you may or may not even know you need to prepare for yet.



The Hot Mom to Be Handbook takes you through the journey of having a baby from beginning to end down to the tiniest detail.  Some of my favorite topics and stories were:

• Balancing babies and your friends: This truly is something that you need to prepare for, but I also think it is important to mention how wonderful those relationships are that do not require as much maintenance.  And yet, they are still there when life permits.  
• The importance of tending to your marriage or relationship with your significant other: For me, this is a big one, because without your marriage, your family will not be the same.  Sometimes it is hard to say it out loud, but taking care of this relationship should truly be the biggest priority.  Showing your children how this is done provides them with an essential life long learning opportunity. 
• "The Perfect Pregnancy": I will leave this one for you to read in the book. But truly understanding the information will allow you to have an even more amazing pregnancy...in my opinion. 
• I laughed out loud when reading "Oh, the Horror" and "The Pregnancy Police...".  Those people that love to tell you their AWFUL stories about pregnancy and delivery or pinpoint everything you are doing that is "wrong".  
• "Olympic Freestyle Vomiting": How is that for a teaser?  Seriously, this is a HILARIOUS story that is so well written!
• And to help you prepare for how pregnancy affects the men...a look at gadgetitis and the post-party depression.
• and could my post be complete without mentioning that this book actually talks about diaper bag envy?  Yes, you read it right.  It is real.  I am just SO incredibly thankful I did not know about my untapped bagophile tendencies any sooner than I did!  
• I only wish I had known about the fun little drinks in "Life of the Potty" when I was pregnant.  I craved anything that was not water and these cutie little drinks would have brought a big smile to my day. Would anyone like to join me for a Mojito Mama or a Hot Mom Martini?  
• And this my friends is a phrase that can serve you...and your loved one well for years to come..."The reward system, ladies: it never fails with animals, your kids, and your man. When they do something you like, praise, praise, praise."
• And on a more serious note, the final chapter does a fantastic job of summarizing the birthing techniques that are out there. Know what you can do to help yourself through the process.  Stay educated and advocate for yourself, your baby, your health, and your beliefs.. While childbirth is a natural process, I was one of those that it simply did not agree with.  I did not expect that.  I did not expect to have it consistently happen three times.  And I most certainly did not expect to become a member of the 1% Stillbirth Club.  Being aware of how our body handles a pregnancy and doing everything we can to take care of ourselves in that process is all we can do. 

The Hot Mom to Be Handbook is an easy read that is written in a way that allows readers to read a lot or just a bit, depending on what life permits.  The candid conversation is fun and positive; the message of love for a child and family is always paramount.   Moms will leave The Hot Mom to Be Handbook with a smile on their face and truly will be better prepared - and aware - than they were prior to reading.  

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of HarperCollins and received a copy of The Hot Mom to Be Handbook to facilitate my review. Mom Central also sent me a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.