How to Grow a Baby and Push It Out: Your No-Nonsense Guide To Pregnancy And Birth

Don't buy this book if you are looking for a technical manual to pregnancy; this book is not that and you will be terribly disappointed! Don't buy this book if you have already read half a dozen books on pregnancy and know virtually everything there is to know; you'll be bored and possibly feel cheated! But if you are either: a. contemplating pregnancy; intrigued (you are the type of person who likes to know what lies ahead) and horrified (never in a million years would you have thought that 'calm', 'wonderful' and 'labor' could be used in one sentence by the actual mother ie the person doing the birthing (in case that isn't clear)) in equal measures; or b. expecting (congratulations!) but unsure where to start; or c. are done with babies but would like to live through the moments again; or d. a first time birthing partner; or e. your best friend/sister/etc falls in one of the above categories and you are looking for present ideas; or f. you are just a die hard Clemmie Hooper fan and would buy anything that has her name on it (!); then go ahead and buy this book, you won't regret it! Because the book is very readable (from cover to cover in one sitting (as long as you don't have little people around)!) and engaging (there is some element of 'what happens next?'); it covers almost every aspect of pregnancy/birth without getting too technical/boring and gives you enough information to be able to go off and do further reading/Googling/investigation on certain/all aspects as required; and is beautifully designed. And if like me, you had never heard of/thought for a moment that there is anything positive in pregnancy/birth (other than the (hopefully) adorable little human at the end); you'll be pleasantly surprised and a whole new world will open up to you!

I'm 36 weeks pregnant (First time mum) and throughout my pregnancy I have been given many pregnancy books by other mothers that I have personally not found that helpful. This is mainly due to a lot of legislation and procedures now being out of date and a few coming across more 'dictator-y' than friendly. Due to this I have turned to the internet for more humorous, up to date knowledge on pregnancy and birth. This is how I stumbled across Clemmie Hooper (aka MOD). When I saw she was releasing a book I had high hopes that this book would suit me personally and it would fill that gap I saw in the market for an up to date pregnancy and birth book. My baby is due any day now and I have binge read her book in 3 days and have not been disappointed. The tone is friendly, comforting and humorous, as if you were talking with a friend or had found a really helpful pregnancy group and the advice is clear and easily digestible. I have read many sections of books and information online about pain relief and I found this section in Clemmie's book was so clear that I now feel I understand my options a lot clearer. I have found the guest writers advice and input really helpful too as it gives you a feeling of a group of women with different skills talking to you giving you honest friendly advice.My partner has also found there is a lack of up to date Dad books that speak to him but has found aspects of Clemmie's book really helpful.When my friends fall pregnant this book along with 'First Time Parent' by Lucy Atkins will be my gifts to them.Great work Clemmie!

The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars is because, it's not really a week to week guide. It's more of the few important weeks during pregnancy. I wouldn't use this book as my only source of knowledge throughout my pregnancy, but it's a good guide nonetheless. After reading a number of pregnancy books, it's very refreshing to have a modern take on pregnancy. The book is well written and it's as if the author is having a personal chat with me when I read it.I love that the author does not discriminate or sound condescending at all and not just rooting for one type of specific birthing plan or just one type of feeding. I find it very comforting to read that even if everything goes south with your birthing plan, it's ok. I've already recommended this book to another pregnant mum. Lot's of great tips too which I have marked the pages so I can get back to it later on in the pregnancy.Thanks Clemmie Hooper for writing the book. :)

I pre-ordered this beauty when it was first possible, after following both Clemmie and her hysterical husband on Instagram. After months of waiting (in the early stages of pregnancy) and being entertained by Simon's various antics and Clemmie's beautiful fringe/lipsticks/children, I finally received this delicious book in the post.Firstly, not only is it delicious to look at (it feels sexy and is littered with tasty illustrations and lovely photographs,) it is informative, easy to read and written in such a friendly tone. Other books about pregnancy and babies can be so preachy/judgemental/scary (!) but this is quite the opposite. It's a calming and reassuring read, full of helpful and interesting information. I am so excited for the birth of my child, (yes, I'm excited about THE BIRTH) and I think this book's honest, knowledgable and relaxed tone has helped with that.Next: a book by Simom for the father of my baby?!Well done to you, Clemmie. I wish we were friends!

This book is full of useful information, but without being too clinical. Clemmie's writing style makes me trust her (as she's clearly very well-informed), but it feels more like I'm talking to a midwife friend than some random healthcare professional. She also talks about the harsh realities of pregnancy, which I appreciate. On areas where she has less expertise, there are guest sections - such as @dresslikeamum's section on buying maternity and nursing clothes.This book also makes a real effort to create a non-judgemental environment, where all pregnancy and birth choices are respected. Clemmie presents the benefits and drawbacks of pain relief, birthing methods, hypnobirthing, etc, all without any feeling of superiority.My partner has also found this book really useful, as it's concisely written. Although it's aimed at the mother-to-be, there's plenty of information in there for partners too (and even friends of pregnant ladies).10/10 would recommend to anybody expecting a baby or who simply wants to learn more about pregnancy and childbirth.

The book itself is a great read, especially for someone who can’t remember the last time I read a book! The information is well written, easy to read and doesn’t scare the life out of you, especially when it’s your first!The only downfall I had about this is it’s quality. I know this is a second hand book, but I bought the “very good” quality one. However when it arrived it was a bit too beaten and bruised for what I call very good quality for second hand.I expected maybe a couple of bent corners and dents of course, but with the front and back covers bent, dented, marked and dirty, I don’t feel this should have been classed as “very good”.I don’t want to steer away from the usefulness of the book itself, just the classification of the quality of this second hand book put a dampener on it.

I am 20 weeks pregnant with my second child and got this book since I went through my last pregancy without any literature to 'guide me'. I found all of the books on the market to be a bit condecending, broad and somewhat of a shopping list for everything someone might need (and may I emphasis EVERYTHING). So when I saw that Clemmie Hooper was writing her own guide to pregnancy, my ears perked up. I bought this book in the hopes it would be a nonjudgemental, realistic and give a midewife/mother explaination of what to expect in my pregnancy. I am happy to report it goes above and BEYOND that. I really do wish I had this for my last pregnancy. Rather than being bogged down by everyone's opnions and comments on what is 'normal' or 'expected,' Clemmie delivers a very open, unbiased view on delivery options, pain relief, hospital bag essentials and so on. I will recommend this book to any new moms-to-be. I only wish I could give it to my friends in America but alas, the business of being born is so drastically different out there. I am so happy to have purchased Clemmie's book and hope that she feels a bit of fulfillment in knowing she's at least improved the experience of pregnancy for this mom on her second go around.

I follow Clemmie on social media I find her very honest and down to earth (I wish she was my midwife)I love this book it has lots of information for a first time mum and also if you are in your 2nd 3rd 4th pregnancy. There are some great stories and inputs from her husband and friends and professionals.It starts with being 10 weeks pregnant and goes through having your first scan, 2nd scan and deciding on finding out the sex, pre-eclampsia, breastfeeding, yoga, sleepless nights, questions you may want to ask your midwife, count your kicks, stages of labour, pain relief, packing your hospital bag, some recipes to prepare before and after baby, preparing for being induced, dressing your body through pregnancy and after baby and so much more.This book has it all not just from a midwifes point of view but from a mother of 4.Thank you Clemmie for a honest informative book of growing your baby and pushing it out.

I preordered the book last year after following (and laughing and enjoying) motherofdaughters on instagram for quite some time. I would absolutely recommend it, for any pregnant woman who enjoys a good laugh additionally to loads of great professional information!since the author is british, clearly the detailed info about the common check ups during pregnancy and other healthcaresystem related stuff is not quite a match for us here in Austria or Germany. But since it differs just in details, the book still gives relevant info which is useful for all pregnant ladies, no matter in which country they live in!im conclousio: i would absolutely recommend this book, espacially for all those pregnant ladies who look for something different, personal with a twinkle in the eye, from aaalll the established (and quite some time boring) pregnancy books!!

Great book explanation is really good.

I was slightly hesitant, given the furore around the author’s online behaviours. However, as a newly pregnant woman doing this for the first time I’ve found it a really enjoyable, reassuring and easy to digest read.

This book was such an enjoyable read packed with a good balance of knowledge, tips and tricks and humour. Written by a British midwife, it offers North American readers an alternative perspective on prenatal care and labour and delivery techniques. It actually inspired me to seek out midwifery care for my own pregnancy! I ended up buying another copy for a friend who also delivered with a midwife. However, even if you are having a hospital birth with an OB there is plenty of useful information in this book and it's just overall a fun and friendly read!

This book is funny and informative. I've had two babies and this is the book I recommend to all my friends. It feels like a close friend is giving you great advice