Product Description

The fat ladies' club are Sarah, Hilary, Andrea, Lyndsey and Annette. They met at their ante-natal classes and their book will give you a taste of all the emotions and changes, humourous and horrendous, which they experienced through their pregnancies and early months of first-time motherhood. Other books will give you the factual stuff - what changes you can expect to your body, how the foetus develops, well, forget the textbook theory now and settle down for what amounts to an eavesdrop into their girlie chats. There are no facts, no figures - just pure unadulterated detail on all the bits you really wanted to know but were to afraid to ask! What happened to their sex lives? Did "it" feel the same afterwards? When did they first feel like a mum? This alternative guide to the real in and outs of pregnancy gives entertaining anecdotes which women may either learn from, relate to or remember back to their own pregnancies with amusement.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #458935 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
The five authors of this alternative guide to pregnancy met at ante-natal classes and became friends. Instead of a text-book analysis of what happens during all the stages of pregnancy, this offers a down-to-earth experience from five women's perspectives. The honesty, notably in the chapter on sex, is endearing. The chatty, warm, style is undeniably readable, and bearing in mind how much information overload pregnant women have to handle, this certainly isn't a taxing read. It's a reassuring one.

The amateurish tone and the fact that these are clearly not professional writers is oddly the biggest plus point--and paradoxically the biggest weakness. Cynics will point to the overuse of certain words (namely "well"), the contrived jokes and liberal clichés. This, however, is not the fault of the five intelligent women who consist of a community learning disability nurse, a European Business studies graduate, a research scientist, a police officer and an accountant. While the style and approach would have been ideal for a Web site, many readers will be put off by the unnecessary suburban style (not to mention illustrations). Skilful editing and rewriting on the part of the publishers would have elevated their experiences from what amounts to an extended mass magazine feature, and done them the justice their honesty deserves. --Lorna V

About the Author
The five authors met at antenatal classes in Berkhamsted. Each from different backgrounds, they became friends and decided to write about their Fat Ladies' Club. This is their first book.

Customer Reviews

What does it REALLY feel like to give birth?
This book is a bit misleading because when you pick it up, you think it's a fictional work. It's actually a warts and all account of what pregnancy and giving birth are like for 5 different women. It covers topics that will interest all first time mums to be, including: what does pregnancy do to your boobs, your tummy and your sex life, and what does it really feel like to go through labour?

It's frank and doesn't mince words; sqeamish readers may wince when they come across such gems as "will I poo myself when the baby comes out?", but, let's be completely honest here - isn't that something you really need to know?!?

The five women narrators are "everywomen" and come across as articulate, accomplished and pleasantly normal. As mentioned in some of the other reviews, there is a sad ending that comes out of the blue and makes the book seem much more poignant than it otherwise would have done.

Overall, an interesting, light and informative read on the subject of pregnancy.

Should be handed out as standard at all antenatal classes!
I read this when I was pregnant with my second child and wished it had been around when I was pregnant with my first. Standard pregnancy texts are fine and this book will not replace them, but they don't really include the wide variation of pregnancy experiences, neither are they as realistic, honest or funny.

First time mothers will realise they are not alone in some of their hopes, fears, elations and whinges and those who have been there before will chortle when they recognise elements of their previous pregnancies.

Fathers-to-be to be will also find this book a real revelation. The fat ladies will give them a great insight into the mysteries of women in pregnancy and also an amazingly frank account of the thoughts and actions of their partners! Material for a good sequel methinks!!

A must for your pregnancy!!
I read this book (twice actually) during my pregnancy and used it to keep referring back to points that were pertinent to me at the time!! I found the book to be honest and humourous at the same time and it was refreshing to know that the huge weight gain and stretch marks were all completely normal. I would recommend this book to anyone who is pregnant, thinking of getting pregnant or even if you've already had children as it's easy to identify with the real stories told by the brilliant authors!!