As the title suggests, many of us feel like a whale (or close to it) when we are pregnant. Our feelings run the breadth of jubilation to depression, and Jane Bullivant explores them all in this book. She does so using her own experiences and the experiences of other moms in order to proclaim that God is with us throughout the entire experience of motherhood.

Jane wrote this book with a profusion of candor and wit, and if you have been pregnant, you will find yourself smiling as you empathize with her—whether for her unusual cravings or emotional upheavals or anything pregnancy-related in between. And if you are in your first pregnancy, you will have many, if not all, of your pregnancy questions answered forthrightly.

Jane has very practical advice for the mom-to-be and the new mother. She goes over every aspect of pregnancy from the time you first find out you are pregnant, on through the birth, and then to the mothering of your new infant.

I was particularly blessed by the way she draws the reader close to her heart for God and His Word throughout the book. For example, her section titled "Download the strength of heaven" has this Scripture and exhortation:

"Yet, if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him - you will stand firm and without fear." (Job 11:13-15)

"It's your choice to live in trepidation of what could happen, or to download some of heaven's strength and trust in your God. Holding on to him now will train you well for your mumship ?"

Jane is from the UK, so a lot of the wording reflects that, such as, "mums" (moms), "duvet" (bed), "pram" or "buggy" (stroller), and "treacle pudding and marmite" (sounds interesting and possibly edible!). You can almost hear her accent as you read, which gives this book extra novelty and makes reading it that much more enjoyable.

I would recommend this book especially for the first-time mother who does not know what to expect with all the phases of motherhood. It is also a great encouragement for any mother needing a refresher course on "Knowing God's touch throughout your pregnancy and beyond."