Throughout both my pregnancies I have kept a journal recording how I've felt (emotionally and physically) and how baby is coming along. I know the date when my baby first kicked, how long my morning sickness lasted and how I felt on my birthday. When I fell pregnant with Bump I found Little E's journal very reassuring because I was able to see how I felt first time round and compare to my current symptoms. It really relieved my worries about odd strange feelings, weirdly vivid dreams and pregnancy niggles. My journals are small, diary like little books with little more than an inch or so to record each day's entries so when I was contacted about The Dodo Book of the Big Bump I was intrigued I see what it else it could offer a mum-to-be.
My first impression of the book is that it is more of an organiser than a book. It is ring bound with lots of different dividers separating it into sections so you can keep track of all your planning. The book contains 50 sheets of pre-punched paper which you can slot into the different sections as you need them to make notes and lists. If you run out (probably not likely unless your list of potential baby names is seriously long!) you can just punch some of your own paper and slot it in.
The pregnancy diary section is split by month giving you a block of space for each week. This could be a little limiting depending on the detail you want to record. Personally I prefer a daily entry so I can really record my experience in detail but I appreciate this is probably enough space for the average need.
The best bit I think are the pockets at the front of each section which you can stuff clippings, cuttings and bits and bobs into - perfect for receipts, appointment letters and leaflets. Basically all the stuff I have floating around the bottom of my bag or tucked into my pregnancy notes (ready to fall out whenever I visit the midwife). The handy elastic strap keeps everything securely together (so you won't be scrambling around the floor of the doctor's surgery like I was last Friday). The comedy quotes on each pocket also make me laugh.
Overall I really like the design of this organiser and I'd have loved this at the start of my pregnancy, especially first time around when we were starting from scratch and had so much to think about. Luckily (and very excitingly!) my Bestie has just told me she is expecting so this will be perfect for her to keep her pregnancy thoughts and plans all in one place!
The Dodo Big Book of the Bump RRP's at £17.99 is available online from http://www.dodopad.com/shop/all-products/dodo-book-of-the-big-bump.html
I was sent a Dodo Big Book of the Bump for review purposes but all opinions are my own.
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