I recently read Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy. This book came out in 2004 when I wasn't even thinking about babies, so sorry if I am a little behind in the trends. The first chapter gives a disclaimer about her frankness, but I admit I don't think I realized what I was in for. I was somewhat familiar with Jenny McCarthy and I had already read her book Love Louder Than Words, but that book was written from the perspective of a mother fighting for her autistic son. Apparently the Belly Laughs Jenny and I are polar opposites. I had a hard time relating to what I would call a Hollywood style pregnancy.
For example in her chapter on granny panties, she talks about transitioning away from the g string. I am not entirely convinced that she even knows what granny panties are, because if underwear that you wear outside of your butt crack is considered "granny panties" well then I say bring it on, preggers or not. Then there is the chapter about engorged breast. She admits to having had a boob job, and thought she would be able to handle this aspect of pregnancy. However, she complains about how her once attractive boobs turned into something you would see in National Geographic. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a playboy playmate would only be able to relate the female anatomy to what is found in magazines, and when it comes to nudity in magazines you pretty much have two options porn or National Geographic. As for me, I guess I am National Geographic, and once again that goes for being pregnant or not.
At the end of the book (if you don't mind the spoiler) she talks about the birth and she says:
"Life was good. Life was going to be great. I had plans for this boy. I would fill him with so much love that he'd be able to conquer the world. Watching my husband glow with love also took my breath away."
She also shares the idea of having another baby. It is weird reading her books in the wrong order. It's like being able to see in the future. Knowing how she will divorce her husband, her son will be diagnosed autistic, and at this point doesn't have anymore children. Despite all that, she seems to be doing great and I admire her courage and all that she's done in raising awareness about autism. It's just weird to think about how she had no idea what was in store for her after Belly Laughs was written. Of course none of us know what the next chapter in life holds.
The book was an easy read, although don't let me go without mentioning that it is absolutely crude and offensive. I did laugh some though, and after reading 160 pages of her complaining about how difficult the 9 months were for her, I thought "Dang, I have it easy!"
4 comments:
during judah's pregnancy daisy started pretending she was at a fast food drive through at home "i want fries, sprite please". hmmm, maybe i ate a little too much sonic :)
that comment was meant for your other post...
I never read the book, but I'm sure it was an *interesting* read! I just stopped by to say that I'm praying for Z today, and for you!
Thank you so much for this review. I too read this book while pregnant, last year, and thought it was ridiculous! I've never liked her. I've always thought she was, to put it mildly, obnoxious. She was too vulgur and too over the line in this book, I thought. I haven't read her other book(s?), so I can't judge them. I also realized after having my son that the way she described everything was either... blown waaay out of proportion just to get reactions, or... she had a pregnancy ten thousand times worse than the average person. And, from what I've read about her other book, she states facts about autism that are not medically true, that just cause other people with young children to freak out about the possibilities of their children having it. She's not a creditable source by any means.
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