The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby by Erin MacPherson is the BEST pregnancy book I have read in a long time. And Erin is giving away FIVE copies to A Parent in Silver Spring readers!
It is written by my in-real-life friend and mentor (we worked together as writers at Nickelodeon’s ParentsConnect) and Erin’s voice in the book is every bit as real, helpful and hilarious as Erin herself. She also has a funny, down-to-earth blog, Christian Mama’s Guide: Advice for Life—Girlfriend to Girlfriend, that I check every day.
This book is a relatable pregnancy guide that talks about dealing with the joys, nausea, heartburn and even sex during pregnancy…it’s not a heavy theology book. Sure, the sex you’re having during your pregnancy is assumed to be happening with your husband. It’s great for families who are in the pew every Sunday, or have a Bible in the house and check in with God via prayer every so often.
I especially love Erin’s personal anecdotes on exercise, diet, health, baby gear, working during and after pregnancy, and her no-holds-barred straight scoop on labor and delivery. This brand-new book makes a great, original “OMG! you’re pregnant!” gift for girlfriends. And when reading this, you’ll really feel that Erin is your girlfriend.
And she can be your newest pal too, because Erin was wonderful to agree to an exclusive e-interview for A Parent in Silver Spring readers. Here’s what she had to say.
What prompted you to write The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby?
When I got pregnant with my son, I was completely clueless about pregnancy. I had no idea what I should be eating or drinking or doing. I remember calling my OB and proudly announcing that I was pregnant and then sitting there in awe when they scheduled an appointment for several weeks later. I was expecting some fanfare! I wanted them to tell me to rush to the hospital to get every possible test done and then sit me down and explain to me for hours exactly what to do. But, apparently pregnancy is an everyday thing for them and they probably don’t have time to spend hours with needy new moms.
So, I headed to the bookstore and bought just about every book on the shelf. Some of them were really medical in nature– which was helpful, but caused me to fall asleep after reading about a page. Others were hilarious and fun, but were full of crude jokes and bad language. There I was with an amazing miracle happening inside of me– and it seemed as if these books were making light of my miracle. Years later, after spending several years writing pregnancy articles for Nick, I decided to write a book of my own.
Trust me, I struggle to make it through the meal prep and the laundry and, well, you should see my bathroom right now. It’s downright embarrassing. That’s why when my agent called me and told me I had a book deal (for a book I had yet to write), I wanted to tell her that I’d have to take a rain check for a few years– at least until my kids were in kindergarten. But it was too amazing of an opportunity to miss so my husband and I made a plan. I was given 2 months to write the entire book by my publisher, so I went about my normal work-week with my kids, then on Friday night when my husband came home, I left the house and checked into the good ole’ Holiday Inn. I’d spend the whole weekend writing, then join my family for church on Sunday before starting the work week again. It was hard– and I missed my kids and my weekends– but that’s how I got the book written.
I loved how your book focused on those side-effects of pregnancy that are a HUGE deal for expectant moms throughout the entire 10 months, such as nausea, discomfort, weight gain. So many of the pregnancy books I’ve read dedicate tiny paragraphs to these subjects, as if they were rare tropical diseases or easy to overcome. How did you decide which pregnancy topics to cover?
Want to WIN your own copy of the book for yourself or a baby shower present for a friend? Then leave a comment on this post with your email address or Facebook – author Erin MacPherson is giving away FIVE copies here on A Parent in Silver Spring!
You can get your name tossed in the virtual hat by
- Leaving a comment on this post – either leave your email address or login via Facebook so I can contact you if you win. If you don’t want to leave your straight-up email addy and for fear of being spammed by the bots (sounds like a science fiction movie, I know), do some fancy typing like Hottie [dot] McPhee [at] gmail and I’ll totally get it.
- Share this link on Facebook or Twitter for additional entries. Leave a comment here if you FBed or Tweeted, and friend me and follow me so I can see your lovely sharing and follow your feeds too.
Erin MacPherson lives with her husband and their two adorable children in Austin, Texas. She was an editor and staff writer for a popular parenting and pregnancy Web site for years, where she spent hours each week researching pregnancy, talking to obstetricians and midwives, and giving out tips and advice to new and pregnant mamas. Visit Erin at christianmamasguide.com.
Disclosure: A Parent in Silver Spring received an advance review copy of the book.
Wow! How cool! I would love to win.
cowilcox(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this for a shower gift. My cousin is really struggling through her first pregnancy and I think this could help to giver her some perspective and acknoledgement of how she feels. Thanks!
moreaus@gmail.com
Sounds like a book I would really enjoy! Thanks for sharing. Lori.LS@gmail.com
This sounds like such a nice book and it’s great that it’s from a Christian perspective. beccajwilson@gmail.com
I would LOVE to win this for a friend who is pregnant. It sounds wonderful! Can’t wait to check out a new blog, too. Thanks, Jess!
Love Erin’s blog and would love to win this book for my prego Sis-in-law!!
I’m interested. Even if I don’t win, I think I’ll buy a copy.
kjwoestman@hotmail.com
Sounds like a great book. I’m interested. :*
1st.THANK YOU for calling pregnancy the 10months that it is.
2nd,
Qu: _”My hope and prayer is that my book would appeal to all pregnant moms– after all, my intention when I wrote it was to make sure that pregnant moms could find the practical advice they needed in a way that’s not overwhelming. “_
If this is true titling the bk”Xtian Mom” is definitely NOT going to make the book appeal to all. Plus yur website too is “christian mama guide’. I know some aprt of TX are very conservative and religious, so perhaps you wrote for your local TX audience.
For example, would bookstores put you in the religious section or pregnancy section?
Qu _”but I do talk about my faith, my church and how that’s an important part of my life. ” _
So how does it relate to pregnant tummy itching, lack of urinary control, itchy nipples, etc?
I would love to win this book for a friend who is expecting.
maureen_bailey@msn.com
My counsin just had a baby. Would love to give it to her.
akiridena@gmail.com
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