The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy: Or Everything Your Doctor Won't Tell You

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: Vicki Iovine is not afraid to tell you what the parenting magazines and books will not. Your husband may be turned on by your pregnant body, but then again, he may not, and that's OKAY. You may not feel like sex for a while, and that, too, is OKAY. She offers good advice on how to work through the glitches. So many sources will make you feel guilty: you are a failure if you don't breastfeed, if you don't have a drug-free birth, if you don't have your kid sleeping through the night in his/her own crib, blah, blah... this book will let you know that you are not alone, you are not in a competition to see who has the best pregnancy, and it is highly entertaining. It is personal advice, not medical; for medical advice, DO NOT buy what to expect when you're expecting, which is a horrible book, buy any other book, like your pregnancy week by week, or better yet, just ask your doctor about any specific questions you have.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent complement to other books
Review: During my first pregnancy, The Girlfriend's Guide provided something that I couldn't find in any of the other pregnancy books out there: real women's perspectives as well as a sense of humor. Now that I'm pregnant again I've been rereading the book and am reminded of why it was so important to me the first time around. A friend also gave me another book this time which I adore. It's a book of real women's stories of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, called Pregnancy Stories. Reading Pregnancy Stories and The Girlfriend's Guide along with the more clinical books out there (What to Expect, The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth) allowed me to get a very well-rounded sense of pregnancy both from the perspective of professionals and from other women like me who were living through its ups and downs.

Rating:
Summary: Big downer on pregnancy-must read if you want to be bitter
Review: I think this lady is so bitter towards men and the size 4 jeans that she can't get in anymore that she wants to inflict her distress on the rest of us! When you buy a book on pregnancy, you're usually excited and not expecting to come away from it depressed! There are some funny parts and some crass descriptions of gas and... on the table, but unfortunately, this is about all this book had going for it.

Rating:
Summary: Opinionated, but some good information!
Review: The Girlfriends Guide really does have a lot of useful information that is not really talked about in the other pregnancy books. Most of those other books speak more scientifically, that's true, and this is more anecdotal, but it does help to know that others have felt how you do, and experienced some of your symptoms. It makes you feel like your symptoms are ok, and what you're going through is normal. And it covers things you may not want to ask your doctor, or your mother, or your girlfriends. My only complaint is that there are some very strong opinions expressed that are not my own, but I'm a very strongly opinionated woman myself, so I can't fault the author. This is still a very helpful book. However, if you're looking for a book on fetal development, this is not the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: Author Vicki Iovine presents the joys and pains of pregnancy with great humor and reassurance. This book will certainly abate the anxiety and fears of any woman who just finds out she is pregnant. The book was rather smug at times; Iovine denounces breastfeeding and balks at women who are determined to get in shape quickly after giving birth (ironic since Iovine is a mere size 4 when she is not with child). Besides these and a few other shortcomings, this is a great read and a must-have for any pregnant woman who wants a little girlfriend advice.

Rating:
Summary: A fantastic, hilarious book!
Review: This book is unbelievably funny! I read it when I was pregnant with my third child and I laughed like CRAZY. Any pregnant woman can relate to the author's feelings. She has a way of pointing out all the ridiculous aspects of pregnancy. This book is a wonderful alternative to all the serious maternity books out there! Don't miss this one, ladies. And when you read it, be sure there is a bathroom close by-- its THAT funny!

Rating:
Summary: The plain truth!
Review: As a first time mom, I was RELIEVED to read this book. All the embarrassing things that you can't discuss with anyone (most of all a husband) are discussed here openly and honestly. The tone of the book is humorous - just what an expectant mom needs most is a good laugh when you gain 10 pounds in between the positive home pregnancy test and that first OB visit! As I read the book as my pregnancy progressed, I found myself exclaiming, "Yes, yes! So, this is normal!" I encourage all expecting moms to read this book - granted, it's NOT medical advice, but provides a lot of practical, day-to-day advice that is so needed during the most important journey you will ever take - becoming a mother.

Rating:
Summary: Depressing and thoughtless
Review: First of all, what form of low-life are these "girlfriends" married to? They all sound like refugees from the fifties with their thoughtless ways.Second of all, I have never found a more depressing book in my life. It makes assertions from, 'no, you and your husband will never find your body sexy again,' to ,'get a good male O.B. because that's the only male touch you will have in your last trimester because you will be just too unappealing'. The one or two laughs this book gave me is not enough to make me finish reading it. I prefer to feel as if my life has not ended.

Rating:
Summary: A must for every expecting mom!!!
Review: I bought this book 4 1/2 years ago when I was expecting my daughter. It was a refreshing, funny, reassuring departure from all the other pregnancy bibles on the market. I enjoyed every chapter, and really felt that Vicki had touched on every aspect of what it's REALLY like to be pregnant. Wonderful and miraculous, but also emotional, scary, and, well, funny. The fact that it didn't contain a lot of medically supported information is what made it so great, because sometimes it's not those issues that are at the forefront. Now, just having given birth by c-section (for the 2nd time) to my second daughter, I am putting away my "Girlfriend's Guide" along with my much loathed maternity clothes once again, having enjoyed re-reading it over the course of my 2nd pregnancy just as much or more than I did the first time around. I found I gravitated to different chapters as a 2nd time mom-to-be, and it was like a new book. Please, if you are expecting a baby, whether for the 1st, 2nd or even 3rd time around, buy this book. Buy the other ones too, for they do have value, but do yourselves a favor!

Rating:
Summary: the girlfriends guide to pregnancy:or everything your dr won
Review: I swear,if it werent for this book, I NEVER would have made it the full 9 (10)months! I used this more than anyother book I purchased...including "What to Expect...". I went into labor and wasnt worried at all because I knew that Vicki was going with me(I had packed the book!) If Queen Vicki ever goes on a book tour and comes close to Utah, I will be there to kiss her feet! If you are pregnant or have a friend/wife/sister/distant relative two times removed I would recomend it!