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Summary: Having cancer while pregnant makes things different...
Review: I have cervical cancer and will be giving birth in August. This book helped me feel good about not being able to have a "natural" child birth process, and made it okay for me to decide to have painkillers, etc. during my birth process. Not every woman out there is able to have a perfect birth, and this book made me feel better about my situation, especially since I felt I had to take after my mother who had 4 babies, including a 10 pound boy, with NO DRUGS.
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Summary: Save the money and buy a different pregnancy book....
Review: This book IS cute and funny but that's about all. If you are looking for an informative, serious book to answer your pregnancy and baby questions, this is not it. It is good for a good laugh and not much more. Borrow it from a friend or get it at the library - its not worth the money since you will most likely skim through it once and never look at it again.
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Summary: Girlfriends guide to pragnancy
Review: This book is a sick idea by one woman and her various friends. Absolutely do not let this be the only book you read if you are expecting since it is the author's unprofessional point of view. She offers no real medical information and offers no pros or cons to any of her experiences. Her testiomonial that drugs, doctors and the epidural are her best friend is an example of a women who gives up all her own power and instints to an easy way out of pregnancy. The book offers no alternatives in point of views other than her own and after all, this does not work for everybody, only her.
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Summary: A must have...
Review: This book is a riot! Throw out the "What to Expect" books that say you shouldn't eat bagels, pancakes, etc. This book is the practical, fun to read guide to what pregnancy is really like.
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Summary: Loved it!
Review: This book is great- not the typical pregnancy advice, but advice and opinions from someone who has really been there. Some of the other reviewers don't like the opinions expressed in the book... personally, I think that's the point of a book like this, to break the mold of the textbook-type pregnancy books and tell you how it is, the way a friend would. I'd suggest using it as a companion to a more traditional pregnancy book. This is my first pregnancy, and I have several books that give the medical info I need-- this one is reassuring (gas and other fun topics are matter-of-factly discussed) and funny.
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Summary: FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY
Review: I read this book when I was pregnant with my first child. It was just the laughter I needed. I would recommend this to anyone.
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Summary: This book IS a joke
Review: Sure, read this book if you want a good laugh--and that's all. I picked up this book in the bookstore and read through it during my first trimester, trying to find some good books to guide me through my first pregnancy. I was so offended I put it right back on the shelf. Her advice on breastfeeding, midwives, and exercise and diet during pregnancy, is just plain ignorant and represents her lack of knowledge in these (and other) areas. Reading the part about her getting dressed up to see her obstetrician was, like another reviewer commented, creepy.
There are so many other excellent books to choose from when you are pregnant, that offer real advice (NOT scary information, like others have commented). What a woman needs when she's pregnant is positive encouragement and useful information during a joyous but at times anxiety-ridden journey in life.
This book is just a joke and an insult to the beautiful experience of pregnancy.
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Summary: A lighthearted view of pregnancy for thinking women
Review: I really enjoyed this light hearted approach to pregnancy. I have many "expert" books here from medical doctors, midwives, etc. I have searched high and low on the internet for information regarding pregnancy and birth, joined many of a discussion groups on the same thing, and this was such a nice relief from the serious information that you are reading every day if you are pregnant.After reading reviews I have come to the conclusion this must be a book that women either love or hate. Yes this book is also for the THINKING women, as long as you take what is offered in the context it is meant in. To me this was sitting in the car for a long drive with a friend who tells me her pregnancy experience. Not a medical book but just her experience and views on pregnancy. Vicki believes in using hospitals and pain relief, so if you are looking for help on having a natural childbirth, this is not the book you are looking for. If you are looking for serious medical information, this book is not for you. If you are looking for a humerous book to read after being scared to death after reading all the information on what can go wrong with pregnancy, on miscarriage, on pain, on delivery, you will probably enjoy this book. Vicki Iovine states many many many many times that she is not a medical expert and there are other books out there that handle those situations and that she was not offering THAT type of advice here in her book. Quote from her book "It is never my intention to undermine the role of doctors in any way, and I would be forever relieved if you would think of this book as a "supplement" of sorts to the very serious advice and counsel of your obstetrician. With that burden of guilt and responsibility removed, I would like to say that I believe that women learn some of the most valuable things about pregnancy from other women. Not only were my girlfriends endlessly giving of their experience and knowledge, but they constantly reassured me that I was normal, and that was surely the greatest gift of all. While every woman believes her pregnancy is unique and special (especially if it her first), she also yearns to be told that she is no more confused, insecure or neaurotic then the rest of us mothers." So that is the basic jist of this book right there. A few things that I would like to correct here, Vicki is not against Exercising, she even says at the end of the chapter to continue on with your exercising (with your doctors blessing)but suggests you may be more comfortable moving it outside. She also highly recommends swimming as a form of exercise. Eating well Vicki goes on and on about how much gained during her pregnancy (going from a size 2 to 10...insert your own roll of eyes here) but she also states that if are not going to eat healthy at all or are going to starve yourself is not good for you or the baby. There are very humerous chapters on pregnancy insanity, sex, stretching out your regular clothing so as to not buy maternity, and how pregnancy is a total body experience.
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Summary: Loved it even though....
Review: I really did love this book. She had me laughing out loud many times and she really did give me information that no one else did (think mucus plug). The only reason I didn't give her 5 stars is for dismissing the idea of a midwife or other natural form of birth. I feel that whatever way is easiest and healthiest for the woman is just fine, and your not a "fronteer woman" if you chose to forgo doctors. Also she centers a lot of the book around not liking the way you look, and taking off the weight. Well I'm not a small girl, and I don't mind. I like my size, and I'm sure I will love my big pregnant belly as well. But again I took her advice like I would a girlfriends, if I agreed fine, but if not that was fine too.
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Summary: What a Great Read!
Review: I got this book at the end of my first pregnancy, and wished I had not waited so long. As promised, it gives you information that you wouldn't expect to get from anyone other than your "girlfriends". My husband even laughed at some of the passages I read to him. I have lent it out, bought as gifts, and had to replace for myself at lest twice. I am preganant with my 4th child now and plan on revisiting the book again soon.
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