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

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Summary: This book was a hilarious and welcome read during pregnancy.
Review: This book is an honest, open view of pregnancy as experienced by Vicki Iovine and her Girlfriends. It was a welcome read among all of the serious reading that I did throughout my pregnancy. I would literally laugh out loud while reading certain passages. I have also bought it for many of my Girlfriends upon learning of their pregnancies, and bought myself a new copy for my third pregnancy because my first copy seems to have disappeared. Share the wealth! :-)

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Summary: The best companion I had during my pregnancy!
Review: Although "What to Expect When You're Expecting" was the most recommended book when I found out I was pregnant, Vicki's book gave me the insight I really needed to get through everything! From fashion to purchasing the layette and of course dealing with the father-to-be, she hit the nail on the head with her timely and enjoyable advice. I have recommended this book to everyone I know who was pregnant at the same time I was and since. My copy is so bent and worn, when (if) I have a second child, I'll need to purchase a new copy to wear out reading. This book is an enjoyable read even if you aren't pregnant and just want to remember the good times when you were!

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Summary: GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!!!!
Review: This is my first pregnancy and I'm a little nervous and not getting the information I want. All I'm getting is the typical Dr. info, which is important, of course, but I want more. Vicki's book was great! I read it in a week! It was fun, entertaining and you feel like she really is your girlfriend by the end of the book! I hope she writes more!

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Summary: I would have given it a half of star!
Review: My sister had told me how she had loved this book during her pregnancy. Therefore, when I first found out I was pregnant, I rushed to the book store and bought it. However, it turned out to be a total disappoint!!! Although she gave a few funny remarks on pregnancy, the overall book was unrealistic and based on little or no facts at all. I especially disliked her view on fitness. I understand that not everyone can or wants to exercise through their pregnancy, and I respect their decision. Nevertheless, I feel many of her statements where uneducated. For example, she brought out such ignorant things as, 'if you exercise and have a miscarriage, you might feel that you are responsible in some way for it happening,' or 'you are going to get fat anyway, so why bother.' This view annoyed me since study after study shows the tremendous benefits of being fit while one is pregnant. In fact, the benefits are so great that the American Medical Association changed their guidelines encouraging expectant mothers to exercise while pregnant. There were many other statements made that contradicted known facts. I felt her book to be more suited for the humor section!

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Summary: Get all dolled up for your obstetrician? GAG!
Review: This book has its good points (it's fun to read if you don't mind more style than substance), but sometimes it's just plain stupid--like when Vicki Iovine talks about how she'd get all dolled up before going to see her obstetrician. "For him, I looked like Miss Maternity U.S.A. when I went for my checkups: legs and pits freshly shaved, perfume, high-heeled shoes, clean hair (curled even), and a tasteful bit of makeup." Please....

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Summary: This book lacks grace, and joy... who needs it?
Review: Not everyone is a size four... Not everyone is a lot of things that are dicusssed in this book. Borrow this book, but don't spend money on it. Where is the joy in creating a life? Who cares if your waist dissapears, or you have morning sickness! Feel the joy, and grab on to every minute of the experience! Check out 125 Things You Must Know About Being Pregnant for a healthy dose of pride in yourself, joy for your pregnancy, no gross descriptions, and cute colored cartoons. The author of that book "gets it."

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Summary: Fun, but Biased
Review: This was a good book. Not the most informative, but girlfriends aren't doctors. It is down to earth and fun, but not always the most culturally sensitive or practical to everyone. Best for those who are high-mid class White women. It is like talking to your friend or mother, so the advice is sound and interesting which makes it different from all of the other other books you may come into contact with.

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Summary: The Best Pregnancy Book on the Market!
Review: I read this book 3 times during my 1 pregnancy. The humor and the great tips helped me get through 9 months of excitement, anxiety and weight gain. When my beautiful baby was 4 weeks old I read "The Girlfriend's Guide to Surviving the 1st Year" and loved it just as much. I hope Vicki Iovine keeps writing these Girlfriend's Guides up through college!

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Summary: I afforded this book 1 star because "none" was not an option
Review: With so-called "girlfriends" like Ms. Iovine, one does not need enemies. One thing is to be able to find humor when one is overwhelmed by one's own insecurities during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum days, and quite another is to trivialize the whole experience to the point of no return, which is what this book offers pregnant women. The perfect gift for women who view pregnancy and childbirth as a major inconvenience to their busy lives and who would rather be doing something else with their time. If pregnant women want a true "girlfriend" they may want to turn to books like "A Good Birth, A Safe Birth" or to others written with sensitivity and good research backing their advice. For humor, they can always turn to good old Dave Barry books which can always provide a good belly laugh...pardon the pun.

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Summary: This is the book you're looking for, people!!
Review: This book tells it the way I wanted to hear it: realistically!! The only thing was, she kept talking about how skinny she was before she got pregnant(size four). Not everyone can relate,(especially me!) but the rest of it was wonderful. Do yourself a favor and get this book.