How can you resist a pregnancy book written by an infamously funny Playboy Playmate?

Belly Laughs is a short, readable, fun, "danger-Will-Robinson-danger" book about the more unsavory aspects of being pregnant and giving birth — and some savory aspects that don’t get much attention in the softly lit, floral-themed traditional pregnancy books.

For example, it should come as no surprise that Jenny McCarthy talks about sex and pregnancy. Rather than the genteel "it’s perfectly fine and safe, unless your doctor tells you otherwise,"  she makes explicit comments about what she liked, and more, what she didn’t like. And it is hilarious!

And, I learned something "perfectly normal" and completely disgusting about giving birth that I did not know, and probably would not have thought about. Suffice it to say that "What to Expect" and the probably 5 other pregnancy & birth books I’ve read never mentioned this particular yucky fact. It’s actually sufficiently gross that I’m not going to share it with you — go read the book if you really want to know, or be happy that you don’t know.

Humor and grossological education aside, McCarthy’s book has some limitations. Her audience is clear: married heterosexual women in their 20s or maybe 30s. I don’t have any objection to anecdotes about her husband, but I prefer broader language for the advice sections — even straight women having babies don’t always have husbands. And some of the people who would benefit from her advice are probably partners, boyfriends, friends, and even parents.

I’d call this a "borrow, don’t buy" unless you pick it up in a bookstore and love her writing style. And are a married, straight woman in her 20s or 30s.