October 3, 2008 
I’ve fallen in love with The Real Deal Guide to Pregnancy by lifestyle (helloooo food and travel!) author Ericka Lenkert. There are millions of pregnancy books out there, so what makes this one any different? Well first of all, it’s hot pink, which kicks ass… but let me not stray from the point: ‘Tis not the cover which makes a book, but its content that does. Ericka writes in a light, comfortable tone, so that you really do feel like you’re hearing the dish about the next 9 months from a girlfriend and not some medical manual. It’ll make you laugh and is sure to allay your initial worries that you’re the only one with all these fears and concerns with these weird things happening to your body.
Everything, and I mean everything is touched upon in this little handbook. It fits nicely in your purse or backpack for easy access when work is slow (which is what I do, sshh) or while you’re waiting in the OB’s office.
The subjects brought up in this book range from your run of the mill preggo symptoms, to expecting mama craving recipes, to those sex during pregnancy (and I don’t mean just missionary) questions you might be too embarrassed to ask the doctor or midwife, to maternity clothes shopping tips, to newborn baby care, to those weird lower back pains, to ….well do you see what I mean?
My favorite part of the book was The Mommy Menagerie’s Top 10 Creepiest Elements of Pregnancy list, 
which includes anecdotes from moms about those godawful pimples that spring up because of those super active hormones, urinary leakage, and skin tags. Gewwww. There’s even a great list, broken down by affordability, of maternity stores online, and the book ends with a list of other resources, from books to website for pregnancy and parenthood.
I feel that at this time, this is probably the first book you should buy when you first get pregnant. From there, you can expand your library if you feel you need any in depth info on any medical concerns or other pregnancy issues.
[[Get it at Amazon.com
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