Official Review: The Anxiety Filled Diary of a Pregnant H...

[Snowflake]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Anxiety Filled Diary of a Pregnant Hypochondriac" by Amber McNaught.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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The Anxiety-Filled Diary of a Pregnant Hypochondriac – One Ectopic, One Miscarriage, One Last Chance by Amber McNaught is exactly what the title suggests! It is an entertaining book created from the author’s personal and online pregnancy diaries of 2017. It is an exceptional, honest, heartfelt, clear-headed and witty account of one woman’s life experiences during pregnancy. Along with the typical anxiety of most new mothers-to-be, Amber suffers from tokophobia. Tokophobia is a significant fear of pregnancy and childbirth. For most of her life, our author had been determined to avoid pregnancy and childbirth. She came to change her mind. This collection of journal entries and blog posts shares Amber’s journey to parenthood while displaying the sense of humour that helped her through it.

After two unsuccessful pregnancies, Amber became pregnant a third time. This book focuses on her third, successful, pregnancy. With a good measure of self-deprecating humour, Amber provides a courageously candid account of her life during this time. She discusses everything from being anxious about not throwing up, to throwing up too much and then back to being anxious about not throwing up again! She shares her apprehension every step of the way, from worries related to early scans and checks to determining how to manage her fears in the delivery room. Amber is refreshingly open about her anxiety and how it impacts her and her family. She is also very clear-headed and witty about it. Her entries regarding “Shed Man” and “The Flood” turned difficult moments into funny and entertaining reads.

One of the most engaging aspects of the book was that, even though she often felt extremely apprehensive, Amber wrote calmly. There were times during particular weeks that Amber couldn’t get out of bed due to extreme nausea or she spent a car ride home or to the hospital in anxiety-filled tears. However, her writing was composed, informative and quite funny. Amber was able to take very challenging situations and make them accessible, understandable, relatable and often rather amusing.

On occasion, Amber seemed to knock herself down a bit for her fears. However, she shared them all in this book because many of her blog readers commented that they had similar thoughts and feelings during their pregnancies. Some people seem to have a magnifying glass on their thoughts and emotions. However, by sharing their experiences, they can be of tremendous benefit to everyone. They put difficult thoughts and feelings into words that can be easily related to and that can, as a result, initiate some helpful conversations.

I am delighted to give The Anxiety-Filled Diary of a Pregnant Hypochondriac – One Ectopic, One Miscarriage, One Last Chance by Amber McNaught a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. This book was a very satisfying read. I was glued to it from start to finish! It is a remarkable, enjoyable, heart-warming account of one person’s journey through anxiety to new life. It is a wonderful read for any girl or woman. This book is also an excellent resource for men with pregnant women in their lives, or who would like to understand anxiety and/or pregnancy a little better. People who don’t enjoy personal accounts, however witty, should find a different book!

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The Anxiety Filled Diary of a Pregnant Hypochondriac
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[AntonelaMaria]

I have to give a praise to the author for writing with humor about such difficult subjects. Great job with this review!!

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

In a world of pregnancy self-help books, this is a breath of fresh air! Thanks for the engaging review.

[Nisha Ward]

Given the things that pregnancy can do to the body, I'm surprised that this is the first time I've heard of tokophobia. It's pretty cool that the author managed to get through her fears, though I do wonder if it's had a lasting impact on her beyond what's in the book.

[BookPower9]

Let's give credit for all the girls who've been through a difficulty of pregnancy. Not really easy. I salute for their braveness. This book will inspire all the women who are planning to create their own family. Through pregnancy maybe you can feel much fulfillment and accomplished missions. Thanks for the review!

[Snowflake]

Thank you so much AntonelaMaria, Stephanie Elizabeth, Nisha Ward & BookPower9 for stopping by and for your kind comments. It really is an excellent book!

[nicole-adrianne]

I would love to read this! I especially appreciate that the author focused on how the anxiety affected her and her loved ones. Thanks for the informative review!

[Aniza Butt]

Sounds a great book with humour interwoven. Pregnant women would surely find ot helpful.
Thanks a lot for a nice review ☺.

[Snowflake]

Thanks nicole-adrianne and Aniza!

[Letora]

The title alone grabbed my attention. What a combination to be while pregnant. Great review! I will have to pick this one up!

[Snowflake]

Thanks Leotora - I hope you really enjoy it!

[BookPower9]

Tokophobia. First time to hear this word. Lucky that I am, never seen my wife suffer this fear of pregnancy. It maybe psychological. But really serious. If this book have some tips, it's really worth sharing. Thanks for the review.

[Snowflake]

Yes, it was the first time I heard the word tokophobia too. I'm glad your wife doesn't have this fear. Thanks for stopping by BookPower9.

[Julius_]

An interesting read about anxiety and how to overcome it. I enjoyed reading your review. Thanks for it.

[Juliet+1]

I can't imagine going through nine months of pregnancy feeling the way the author did. She's not just witty, but also very, very brave.