Book Review: "Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?: The Essential Guide to Loving Your Body Before

Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?: The Essential Guide to Loving Your Body Before and After Baby

By Claire Mysko and Amadei Magali

Many books about body image focus solely on people who have eating disorders. This book is refreshing in that it includes information that can be used equally for people with eating disorders and without. In it, Mysko and Magali present top concerns facing women during and after pregnancy about the impact the pregnancy will have on body image, self-esteem and relationships.

The biggest strength in this book are the varied viewpoints expressed. Migali and Mysko interviewed hundreds of women and their partners to better understand and express the wide range of feelings women experience towards their body in pregnancy. Also, many experts were interviewed and are quoted throughout the book to add science to personal experiences. This really helps the reader understand that there is no "normal" and feel accepted.

In a generally strong book, the biggest weakness is the lack of depth. Where the authors certainly normalize concerns and provide guidance, the conversation is at times very surface. Perhaps incompatible with this general of an audience, but I would have appreciated more information about the specific concerns and methods to face these concerns for an ED population.

Good, catchy writing and certainly a quick and informative read.