Rating: 
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I read this book when I was pregnant with my first baby. I thought it was hilarious! It is my very favorite pregnancy book. I have loaned it to friends and I am going out to buy another copy now that I am pregnant again.
Rating: 
Summary: A welcome dose of humor
Review: I was a typical nervous first-time mother, devouring my What to Expect books and trying to find a bit of comfort in there. Those books are so clinical. I felt like a traitor when I snarfed down a Poptart instead of eating the recommended quotient of veggies. I had a natural birth and was preparing for it when I read this book but I was not offended that Vicki Lovine was so hip on the epidural. Everyone I met was. Frankly, it was a nice relief from the "Childbirth is such a wonderful, incredible experience" pap that I was reading (all of it true, but proselytizing, too). Pregnancy IS wonderful and beautiful, but it's okay to acknowledge that sometimes you feel fat and sick and tired. It was more helpful knowing that I wasn't the only one who felt this way than all the goody-two-shoes advice in the other books. For once, someone told me not to worry, to view the experience with a sense of humor, and everything would turn out all right. Like any advice from your girlfriends, even if you don't agree with it, it's reassuring to know they've been there, too.
Rating:
Summary: finally a book that tells what it's really like
Review: This is one of the most honest books on pregnancy that i have ever read. It talks about the stuff others are afraid to talk about or won't talk about because everything is supposed to be nice and should be excepted when having a baby. Women who are all for natural childbirth and in general think that pregnancy is the best thing that has ever happened to them should probably not read tis book. I loved it.Pregnacy should be seen in life as many other things: with a lot of humor.
Rating: 
Summary: Girlfriend? You MUST be joking....
Review: Several of my friends recommended this book for its lighthearted, humorous content. I went to the bookstore with great anticipation, ready for a good laugh - which I got - for the first few pages at least. The more I read, the more angry and offended I became. First and foremost, her portrayal of men is ridiculous, making them seem like uncaring, stupid and ignorant bystanders whose sole responsility is impregnation and then a sudden magical tranformation to "Dad of the Year" once baby arrives -- with no participation in between. In NO way is my husband, or any Dads we know, like this at all. Most are loving, caring, active dads who could not love their child more. Her husband sounds just grand, no wonder she is so bitter. Tell it to your Supermodel Girfriends, Vicki. In addition, the advice to eat and avoid excercise? In 1999?? YIKES! For those of us with extra pounds to start with, I would think that eating right as often as we can, would be good, sound advice. During a time that a woman goes through these changes, taking care of her body, can only be positive - for the mind as well. Her comments about how Jewish people "making a party out of a circumcision", was sarcastic and uncalled for. Even if she meant it to be funny, it was very out of place. That is our tradition, and our choice. Just one example of how Vicki's obnoxious and all-important opinions were totally out of line. We are in the process of trying to conceive, and this book scared me to death as well! I started this book last night - it is now early Sunday morning, and I cannot wait to go to the bookstore to get a refund, it could not be soon enough.
Rating:
Summary: Why puke when you can laugh?
Review: This being my second pregnancy, I was aware of a few things already that noone wants to tell you. This being my reasoning for buying this book ( along with the fact that I am still a young woman and the other books on pregnancy out are sooooo serious and technical that it almost makes pregnancy seem like a chore ). Anyway, I laughred out loud throughout the whole book, which was unusual for me since Ive had morning sickness 24-7 forever. Anyway, this book is right on. I felt like I was reading a book about me. I HIGHLY recommend this for any woman who looks at pregnancy as a fun experience and is wanting to keep her pre-pregnancy sense of humor!
Rating:
Summary: Negative and badly edited to boot
Review: Even though I didn't have the easiest of pregnancies, I can't recommend this book to other moms. It perpetuates negative attitudes about a pregnant woman's body shape and gives possibly dangerous medical information disguised as advice. The author's perspective is one that only a wealthy white woman from southern California could have. I'm glad I read this book after my girl was born. Don't pay full price for this book and don't read it until your pregnancy and nursing months are done. It's a weird, very negative view of childbearing. It is also full of misspellings and grammatical errors.
Rating:
Summary: A breath of fresh air
Review: I read this book before I got pregnant, and it really helped me understand and see a few things about pregnancy that I'd never heard of or thought about before. Coupled with the usual, boring "informative" books, this one is a nice break to read. I love Vicki's humour and "oh well, who cares" attitude, letting me know that not every pregnancy is picture perfect. This book is also the only one my husband will read without yawning and looking bored. I've recommended this book to everyone I know who is pregnant (which lately seems like everyone), and those who've read it love it too. As someone else's review said, she says in the book that it is not intended to provide medical advice, so it serves its purpose perfectly. I would recommend this book as a side to the other more medically informative books.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully reassuring read for first timers!
Review: I feel that this book was written with great sensitivity and humor. I am 20 years old and single and though I don't fit the same age/class/social status as the author I still feel the information valuable, thought provoking and extremely down to earth. This is my first pregnancy and Miss Iovine's book has given me confidence and a very strong sense of looking forward to the inevitable. While she may be extremely biased on some issues, she admits that several time and the reader has to take it with a grain of salt. You just need a sense of humor to enjoy this wonderful guide.
Rating:
Summary: OK, lighten UP!
Review: This IS everything the doctor won't tell you. Honestly, I couldn't believe that other reviews seem so closed-minded. The 'girlfriend' is so funny that (my husband and) I laughed out loud on many occasions. Yes, pregnancy is a most beautiful and wonderful experience (I'm in my seventh month and loving it all the way), but let's not miss the underlying point here - HUMOR! I especially liked the "Prenatal Tests" chapter which took the fearful edge off things (stuff the doc doesn't tell you), and the overwhelming "baby stuff" section that honestly tells what the baby's REALLY going to need in this billion-dollar industry of baby paraphernalia. Mrs. Iovine uses some GREAT words to describe some of the quirky things that happen to pregnant women - like myself. I love the book for what it is - FUNNY. The Guide is a nice, light diversion from the sterile, medically-termed 'expecting' books (also helpful).
Rating:
Summary: A relief to read!
Review: I read this book after reading "What to expect...", and found it to be a profound relief. Despite Iovine's laid back attitude to diet and exercise (actually, because of them!) I was so happy to hear her point of view. She reminds us that even though we may feel miserable, we don't have to lose our sense of humor about it. Hey, we are creating human beings here, and that can be tiring and stressful to the body, but it's great to think that I can laugh at that. I haven't laughed so hard at a book in a long time (especially at "What to expect", which made me feel terrified!). Knowing that I am going to be fat (pregnant women are all fat, I don't care who you are, get used to the idea), reading in her humerous way all about being fat during pregnancy at least let me laugh at that fact instead of being depressed about it. Even through the humor, she does remind us that having a child is a rewarding, joyous experience. She also imparts facts about what to bring to the hospital, what to expect in labor, and various other subjects that I haven't seen in any other books (like to bring all your detestible maternity undies, because you will want to throw them out soon anyway, and lots of socks). Some of her ideas never even occurred to me, but will prove to be very useful. But beware: if you have no sense of humor, or are looking for strict medical facts, read something else, please, and don't complain about this book!
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