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Summary: The Truth About Pregnancy
Review: I'm currently going through my second pregnancy, and of all the books I had given to me, loaned to me, and shoved at me, this is the only one the tells the god's honest truth about pregnancy. This was a book which was clearly written by a woman who has been there and done that with 4 pregnancies under her belt. I found the book informative and funny, and the author always made it clear that she wasn't a medical professional. My recommendation for all you pregnant women out there is that after you've bought your copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting you buy this book. Honestly, they're probably the only two books you'll actually read more than once.
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Summary: VERY FUNNY AND TURE! MUST READ!
Review: I FOUND THIS BOOK TO FIT ME ALMOST TO A TEE. I ENJOYED READING IT AND LEARNED ABOUT THINGS NOBODY ELESE WILOL TELL YOU ABOUT! I THINK THAT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TURE WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU.
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Summary: Feedback
Review: The information in this book is very helpful. I just started the third trimester so I could affirm the advice/observations about the beginning. I found the adivce about what to take to the hospital very helpful as well as what is essential to prepare for the baby. My only critical observation is that the author is so clearly a woman of privilege that the book could be insulting to women without the kind of financial and lifestyle resources that Ms. Iovine has (along with her Girlfriends).
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Summary: Honesty matters
Review: Vicki Iovine's views may not match yours or mine on every single issue, but that is not the point of the book. The point is an honest discussion of pregnancy from a woman who's been there. She doesn't mince words and she doesn't judge (unlike many Natural Parenting extremists, I've noticed). As anyone with Girlfriends knows, we don't always agree on every single issue. But it is our shared experiences, our honesty, and our unconditional support of each other that makes life a little easier. When we refrain from judging each other, we can make our own decisions without the fear of being outcast because we took a different path. For example, at the end of the book Vicki does agree that breastfeeding is better than bottle feeding, but that some women find it extremely painful; her bottom line is that if you can't do it, don't hate yourself for being human. The fact is, there is room for debate on some of these issues, and Natural Parenting extremists who condemn such things as hospital births are being as totalitarian as any fundamentalist. By denying a woman's right to choose between the available options, they are damaging their own agenda in the long run. The truth is, pregnancy is work! It is sacred and divine work on one hand, and sheer physical effort and endurance on the other hand. Vicki simply acknowledges and honors that. I found many of her tips to be extemely useful and her sassy, lighthearted sense of humor refreshing.
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Summary: Let's get one thing straight...
Review: I would suggest to all these negative review writers that they completely missed the point: yes this book is flippant about the whole pregnancy experience, and that is precisely why it is a good book! It never pretends to be a medical, serious book about pregnancy - there are already more than enough out there. Nor does the author, to her great credit, ever suggest you should not read them (in fact she encourages you to!) This is a personal experience book, a supplement to the serious books, that gives you the lowdown on things you could be embarassed to mention to your doctor (or even to your grilfriends), as well as really practical down to earth info that the "medical" books usually ignore.
I am also a strong believer in the "no contest" idea, that if you want the natural birth and your o.b. is OK with it by all means go for it, but dont diss those women who prefer a medical birth and whose o.b is OK with it: it is an entirely personal choice that has nothing to do with the baby's health...
Rating: 
Summary: Vapid tips for the oblivious
Review: Not exactly "The Thinking Women's Guide to Pregnancy," this vapid tome was the single worst and least helpful book we bought to educate ourselves on pregnancy. This book will not help you unless you view pregnancy as an unfortunate condition that needs to be coped with rather than embraced. And the "coping with" is make-up tips from the author-model. If you are at all into natural childbirth (and fall on the breastfeeding and cloth diaper sides of the issues) then this book will mostly just offend you. If, on the other hand, you think women who forego drugs are wacky leftists, then this book will help you feel good about being oblivious.
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Summary: The Girlfriends' Guide To Pregnancy
Review: The Girlfriend's Guide To Pregnancy is not only full of great "real" info, but it is hilarious as well. I am experiencing my third pregnancy, and this book is right next to my bed for easy reference. So, this book is not the "What To Expect" book, but for a woman whose body is ever-changing at this time, it truly is a no-nonsense, and almost always funny book, and what could be better than that at this point in life? There were some good honest topics covered in this book that I've not seen in other books, and might otherwise be embarrased to discuss openly with someone else, but with Vicki Iovine's candor, it was all laid out for me. This is a great book for the first-time or seasoned mother-to-be. I adored this book, and my husband as well. We both got a lot of laughter and information out of it.
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Summary: This book is terrible
Review: This book is the worst pregnancy book I have ever read. The woman who wrote this book makes you feel as all pregnancy is going to do for you is make you fat and ugly and there is nothing you can do about it. I was disgusted reading the part about how your husband will make love to you out of mercy. I strongly recommend reading other books. This book was not funny at all!
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Summary: Honest. Hilarious. The best pregnancy book ever.
Review: I read about 70 books during my pregnancy, and this was by far, the most honest, tell-it-like-it-is, charming book I encountered. Aside from being jam-packed with helpful advice and antecdotes, it was really an enjoyable read. I finished the book feeling like I was one of Vicki Iovine's girlfriends, she certainly reminded me of mine. This is a fantastic read. I loved it- so much I bought the Girlfriends Guide to Toddlerhood, and the Girlfriends Guide to the First Year of Motherhood as well. Loved it.
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Summary: I am just appalled that anybody likes this book
Review: This has got to be one of the most unfunny books I have ever read. I am just appalled to think that there are women out there who are actually taking this advice. The utter disrespect this woman expresses for her family and herself is astounding. If this somehow represents a recognizable American family experience, even as a satire, all I can say is there is something dreadfully wrong in a lot of people's lives.
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