Parenting, Uncensored: Straight Talk from Real Moms and Dads on Pregnancy

Any woman in the midst of it will tell you that pregnancy is, above all, a bodily function—from sore breasts to exhaustion to a wildly strong sense of smell. But the body is not the only storyline. Starting a family can be a downright magical time—the growth can be a welcome sign of a positive identity shift. It can feel exciting, exhilarating, and oftentimes, suspenseful. In 12 essays, Parenting Uncensored covers this whole gamut of changes, some pleasant and exciting, others surprising and uncomfortable. Lyz Lenz grapples with the shifting landscape in "Pregnancy Boobs": "I was warned that my boobs would get bigger. But I wasn't warned about the lifestyle change. About how everything from the way I slept at night, sat in a chair and walked across a parking lot would change." Blogger Liz Gumbinner writes about gaining perspective when she comes down with a potentially hazardous case of toxoplasmosis. In her post, "Obesity, Pregnancy, and The New York Times" Cecily Kellogg writes about weight discrimination and how her ideas about her own body changed during pregnancy. Hopefully, you'll be able to identify with at least one, maybe more, of these stories, and be inspired to join the conversation. The Babble community chose some of these essays as the most compelling and helpful examination of the topic.