Bun in the Oven: The Real Guide to Pregnancy 
asked by osx on November 16, 2006 11:51 PM
Most pregnancy books are straightforward, humorless, and full of broad generalizations. Yet, there's something downright hilarious about uncontrollable gas, crazy food cravings, and your body generally becoming a host organ. At last here's a pregnancy guide about what to expect when you're an expectant, modern, career woman with a sense of humor. Australia's best-selling A BUN IN THE OVEN delivers the up-to-date lowdown on pregnancy, birth, and coping with your newborn when you first get home. No bossy rules, just lots of cartoons and the soundest, sanest, wittiest advice you'll ever get. Week by week, author and cartoonist Kaz Cooke tells you what's happening to you and the baby and tackles subjects such as how to prepare for pregnancy, choosing a doctor, undergoing tests, childbirth, pain relief, and breastfeeding. Everything you need to know about the scary parts, the funny parts, and your private parts.
Reviews
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My husband and I have been talking about getting pregnant and preparing ourselves (only as much as books can provide, lol) for about 6 months.
We read tons of books filled with medical information (very helpful) and some that scared me with hundreds of things that can go wrong or books saying I "HAVE" to do it like this or the author heavily pushing their own views. Until I can across this book. Yes, it doesn't cover all medical conditions but it doesn't pretend to. It has alot of references, to other books and websites, thoroughout the book including a section in the back. Mostly, it tells of the writers' personal experience using humourous and honest writing. I felt like I was talking to my best friend who has actually been through it. It made me feel more comfortable. Not less scared but I have a more positive image of pregnancy, instead of being super terrified. The author has a great way of making you feel like, 'hey, this has happened to me but you can laugh about it' or when it's more serious, she writes about it and gives references. So many other books make you feel bad or inadequete. This one doesn't. It doesn't talk down to you or make you feel stupid. It is a good read for anyone who needs a good friend that may share the same feelings you have. It is definately a good read for the modern woman. I can't tell you how many times my friends said, "Hey, I was thinking that too!" or "You tell 'em girl!". Some aren't even pregnant and just like the fun read, lol! After having so many people offer their own advice on pregnancy, it was great to have someone talk to you like a person or offer suggestions. And not craming it down your throat. No, it cannot be the only pregnancy book I read, it's too basic, but I highly recommend for anyone who needs to know that someone else is also feeling the same way. Or just laugh a little. Read it in between the "serious" pregnancy books, it'll put a smile on your face.
We read tons of books filled with medical information (very helpful) and some that scared me with hundreds of things that can go wrong or books saying I "HAVE" to do it like this or the author heavily pushing their own views. Until I can across this book. Yes, it doesn't cover all medical conditions but it doesn't pretend to. It has alot of references, to other books and websites, thoroughout the book including a section in the back. Mostly, it tells of the writers' personal experience using humourous and honest writing. I felt like I was talking to my best friend who has actually been through it. It made me feel more comfortable. Not less scared but I have a more positive image of pregnancy, instead of being super terrified. The author has a great way of making you feel like, 'hey, this has happened to me but you can laugh about it' or when it's more serious, she writes about it and gives references. So many other books make you feel bad or inadequete. This one doesn't. It doesn't talk down to you or make you feel stupid. It is a good read for anyone who needs a good friend that may share the same feelings you have. It is definately a good read for the modern woman. I can't tell you how many times my friends said, "Hey, I was thinking that too!" or "You tell 'em girl!". Some aren't even pregnant and just like the fun read, lol! After having so many people offer their own advice on pregnancy, it was great to have someone talk to you like a person or offer suggestions. And not craming it down your throat. No, it cannot be the only pregnancy book I read, it's too basic, but I highly recommend for anyone who needs to know that someone else is also feeling the same way. Or just laugh a little. Read it in between the "serious" pregnancy books, it'll put a smile on your face.
reviewed by dataworld on November 17, 2006 12:56 PM
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Up the Duff- the Australian version of this book is soooo much better!!! I fell IN LOVE with Up the Duff when I borrowed it from a friend and decided it would become my standard pre-pregnancy gift. I bought 5 copies of the American version, A Bun in the Oven, and returned all of them once I read the first chapter and skimmed the rest. Instead I ordered the original from an Australian bookstore. The humor just wasn't the same once the publisher had rewritten it for an American audience. The Australian version does deserve 5 stars (if not better- it is brilliant)!
reviewed by miceandmen on November 21, 2006 4:07 PM
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While honeymooning in Australia, my wife picked up a book called "Up The Duff" and flipped through the pages. She read me a couple excerpts from the book and instantly we planned on buying the book when we returned to the states. With a name like "Up The Duff" we thought it would be easy to find. Once we got home I searched high and low for "Up The Duff" in our local bookstores. I eventually found the book through Amazon, because another reviewer had mentioned the "down under" title of this book in her review. The title was changed to "Bun In The Oven" for the American market. I thought I'd post a review with the original title as well in hopes that others will find this book and enjoy it too.
I bought "Bun in the Oven" for my wife and she absolutely loved it. She laughed out loud while reading it and said that she could totally identify with the author. Kaz Cooke doesn't sugar coat it, she tells it like it is. All the other reviewers are correct when they say that it's an entertaining and informative read. We've read others, "The Expectant Father", "Girlfriend's Guide", "Happiest Baby on the Block", "Babywise", etc. "Bun in the Oven" contains all the needed information of what to expect and what's going on with your pregnancy, just like the other books, but this is the only book we recommend and buy for our friends.
I bought "Bun in the Oven" for my wife and she absolutely loved it. She laughed out loud while reading it and said that she could totally identify with the author. Kaz Cooke doesn't sugar coat it, she tells it like it is. All the other reviewers are correct when they say that it's an entertaining and informative read. We've read others, "The Expectant Father", "Girlfriend's Guide", "Happiest Baby on the Block", "Babywise", etc. "Bun in the Oven" contains all the needed information of what to expect and what's going on with your pregnancy, just like the other books, but this is the only book we recommend and buy for our friends.
reviewed by nat on November 28, 2006 5:23 AM
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If I had to choose between popular "tell it like it is" books I would pick "Bun in the Oven". I would not use this book as the basic pregnancy book though.
I feel that it leaves out way too much information from the medical perspective. It is incomplete with regards to just too many things- GD, GBS, labor induction, AFP, etc. And I mean really incomplete. 3 sentences about gestational diabetes is all that is included. I like books that offer different perspectives and explain things with more pros, cons and options so that moms can make completely informed choices. I don't this books offers enough info to let moms make informed choices with regards to some prenatal tests or birth choices. Therefor I would say that a mom who really wants to actually learn about pregnancy and birth would need to read other books too. I would go with "The Pregnancy Book" by Dr. Sears, "Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn" by Penny Simkin and "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer (but only read Goer's book after you have a good undertsnding on birth since this one doesn't actually discuss labor, it discusses interventions). "The Birth Book" by Dr. Sears is a great birth reference book and more open minded than you might expect. "Bun in the Oven" plus "What to Expect..." would be a bad combo and you would be left with a lot of gaps and some incorrect info.
That said, this book rocks with regards to the practical bits of pregnancy. There is good advice on baby gear, maternity clothes, dealing with unsolicited advice, traveling, and typical pregnancy issues. There is also some decent breastfeeding info.
It was nice that the book kept going past week 40. I do think that you would need a better postpartum book or resource but this is a decent guide to have around. It again covers the practical stuff quite well, like what to pack in your diaper bag (though she has you packing a whole lot of stuff- I always found to better to have a small bag to carry with you and a larger bag in the car).
Maybe I just agree with the opinions in this book more than in "The Girlfriends' Guide..." but I do think this book is better. If I knew my friends already had a good stash of pregnancy books, I would send this lesser known one their way too. Or I would buy this and one of the others I mentioned before for a first timer.
"The Diary of Maddie the Modern Girls' pregnancy" is so funny and informative. It's been a while since I was pregnant and she really helped me remember some of the little details I had forgotten.
Add this one to your pregnancy and birth book collection- just make sure you have some more complete books around too.
I feel that it leaves out way too much information from the medical perspective. It is incomplete with regards to just too many things- GD, GBS, labor induction, AFP, etc. And I mean really incomplete. 3 sentences about gestational diabetes is all that is included. I like books that offer different perspectives and explain things with more pros, cons and options so that moms can make completely informed choices. I don't this books offers enough info to let moms make informed choices with regards to some prenatal tests or birth choices. Therefor I would say that a mom who really wants to actually learn about pregnancy and birth would need to read other books too. I would go with "The Pregnancy Book" by Dr. Sears, "Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn" by Penny Simkin and "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer (but only read Goer's book after you have a good undertsnding on birth since this one doesn't actually discuss labor, it discusses interventions). "The Birth Book" by Dr. Sears is a great birth reference book and more open minded than you might expect. "Bun in the Oven" plus "What to Expect..." would be a bad combo and you would be left with a lot of gaps and some incorrect info.
That said, this book rocks with regards to the practical bits of pregnancy. There is good advice on baby gear, maternity clothes, dealing with unsolicited advice, traveling, and typical pregnancy issues. There is also some decent breastfeeding info.
It was nice that the book kept going past week 40. I do think that you would need a better postpartum book or resource but this is a decent guide to have around. It again covers the practical stuff quite well, like what to pack in your diaper bag (though she has you packing a whole lot of stuff- I always found to better to have a small bag to carry with you and a larger bag in the car).
Maybe I just agree with the opinions in this book more than in "The Girlfriends' Guide..." but I do think this book is better. If I knew my friends already had a good stash of pregnancy books, I would send this lesser known one their way too. Or I would buy this and one of the others I mentioned before for a first timer.
"The Diary of Maddie the Modern Girls' pregnancy" is so funny and informative. It's been a while since I was pregnant and she really helped me remember some of the little details I had forgotten.
Add this one to your pregnancy and birth book collection- just make sure you have some more complete books around too.
reviewed by dataworld on November 29, 2006 3:02 PM