Rating: 
Summary: She's the girlfriend we all WISH we had...
Review: The one who will tell you the TRUTH - not to scare you, but because she loves you.When pregnant for the first time I think I must have purchased $100+ worth of "guides". Vicki's was the only one worth having. When I underwent some scary preliminary prenatal test results and was hysterical for nearly 3 weeks, Vicki figuratively "held my hand" through it all. When the big serious tomes were scaring the heck out of me, Vicki's book related a similar instance she and friends had gone through and how RARELY the tests were indicative of anything. I literally HIGHLIGHTED those passages and read them numerous times per day until we got through the scare. Vicki will always have a place in my heart after that. She was also the only one to give PRACTICAL advice about what I would really need in the hospital - forget the pretty nighties, remember to pack thick white socks and plenty of 'em - check! She told the truth about many things that even my mother had forgotten about or didn't want to mention. For months after my son's birth I really did say aloud "well I read about this in the Guide..." or "Well Vicki had warned me about that..." Some of my friends thought this must be some SERIOUS study guide I had undertaken reading! It was so EASY to read it was fun. I was sorry to see it end. I now have two pregnancies under my belt so to speak and I still enjoy reading through her Guide. It's like revisiting old friends. Old "girlfriends" I suppose. This "Guide" goes into my children's "keepsake trunk" so someday I can tell them how Vicki got me through!
Rating:
Summary: A refreshing, humorous approach to pregnancy
Review: Pregnant for the first time, I purchased a lot of pregnancy books to prepare me for the big event, including this one. My other pregnancy books are wonderful in the respect that they are medically descriptive and seriously explain body changes, baby's development, medical procedures, etc. This book is NOT like that; it takes what the title implies: a girlfriend's viewpoint of what's probably going to happen to you. This book is a refreshing complement to more serious pregnancy books. I think it's a great diversion for when you're feeling overwhelmed with medical facts. I would not look to this book as a medical guide any more than I would anyone else who is not a doctor (and Vicki Iovine does NOT claim to be doctor; she is very upfront about that). However, this book is WONDERFUL for preparing you for how you may feel throughout your pregnancy, all the crappy stuff that may happen to you while pregnant, what you may REALLY need once the baby is born, and more. While I didn't agree with everything Vicki wrote, I have definitely enjoyed reading her book during my pregnancy; it's one of the few that I pick up and re-read sections of again and again. I would highly recommend this book to those of you who have a sense of humor and are looking to supplement your "serious" (and medical) pregnancy books with a more lighthearted perspective of pregnancy.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, True and Smart
Review: I'm a huge fan of Vicki Iovine--from her books to her newspaper columns, I think she's one of the sharpest observers of women's lives and family issues today. Tackling pregnancy gives Vicki a huge new stage to work her magic, and this book is funny, intelligent, factual, sharp and cautionary. Also, filled with love. I also enjoyed the Dad's point of view in "I Sleep At Red Lights: A True Story of Life After Triplets," by Bruce Stockler.
Rating: 
Summary: Sorority Sisters in LA LA LAND, don't bother!
Review: I found this book to be an annoying self-absorbed guide to the author's "4 pregnancies in 6 years"! She brags about it like this happens to everyone and has no sensitivity for those of us who have stuggled with infertility. It took me 5 years, miscarriages, and a plethora of invasive treatments to get pregnant, and now I'm reading this immature [stuff]? The author doesn't even mention one word about the struggle many of us have (that I could find in the book) getting pregnant, or what to do/say to that "Girlfriend" who can't get pregnant or finally got pregnant after years and is a nervous wreck, it's just a bunch of sorority sisters in La La land. In the chapter "Sharing the wonderful news" the author talks about how she and a friend were pregnant at the same time and at dinner, Iovine blabs on and on about her big news and the other woman keeps her own pregnancy a secret for a fear of miscarriage. Her response later after she learns they were both pregnant is "It pays to advertise". Well, it's just obvious Iovine is an egocentric blabbermouth and has no clue. Bottonline: Leave this ... at the bookstore!
Rating: 
Summary: not so great
Review: with my first pregnancy one of my girlfriends recommended this book, but i bought "what to expect.." instead. My second pregnancy closely followed my first, so I bought this book, "the Girlfriends Guide..." and i was sorely disappointed. While i admit I found some of it interesting, and she does have a good sense of humor, i was mostly disappointed by the extreme biases throughout the book. Authors are entitled to their opinions, but i feel bad for all those people who only read this book and become so uninformed because of it. she only gives her experience and some of her friends. this is not enough information to base an informative help guide on. Plus she puts a negative light on chilbirth and pregnancy options she did not choose, but are available for others. if you want a book that gives you unbiased information and just informs you about pregnancy and childbirth, buy "what to expect..." it is a great book with no negative undertones, it just presents your choices and options. but if you are like the author and want to be like her, you'll love this book
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining but Outdated
Review: I thought this book was mildly entertaining somewhat outdated. Her chapter on maternity clothes was pretty much worthless unless you are living in 1985 and hope to carry on the fashions of that era. Her opinion on your own mother's advice applies more to my GRANDMOTHER'S advice rather than my own Mom. She also seems to have some issues with both her Mother and her husband, and in my life (as well as many other women I know) those two people rank much higher than my girlfriends on my list of people who support, love and understand me. Despite all that much of her advice seems right on the money and offers quite a few laughs. Her list of what to take to the hospital and what to have on hand for your newborn are worth the price of this book alone.
Rating:
Summary: This is not supposed to be a reference book!!!
Review: For all of the women who were "insulted" by Vicki Iovine's book, GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!! I am 36 weeks pregnant and I found this book to be fantastic - a great source of humor. She's not a doctor, so of course it's based on her experiences! She is not at all negative about pregnancy, she's just telling it like it is - and the fact of the matter is that there's nothing really glamorous about being pregnant. Don't get me wrong, you can look great while pregnant (provided you take care of yourself, eat healthy, drink TONS-and I mean tons- of water, & walk a lot), but c'mon, weird things happen to your body and it's sometimes a real drag. Also, I think it's great to have a little humour about the whole thing, because reading all of the other reference books will make you cry because you feel guilty having ice cream or a cup of coffee. AND - for the woman who says that Vicki Iovine doesn't support excercise in the book, it's a lie. She's cautioning against maintaining the same level of exercise that you did when not pregnant. She promotes safer exercises such as walking and swimming - both wonderful for helping to keep in shape, to keep swelling down and to help you body and joints feel good. I stopped running at three months, because the strain on my knees wasn't worth it and started walking. I think this book is great. It's a wonderful complement to the "what to expect" book. But, don't buy it if you want a reference book because she's not claiming to be an expert. Also, don't buy it if you take yourself too seriously to look at some of the more humorous, unflattering aspects of pregnancy.
Rating:
Summary: If you have a sense of humor, this one's for you
Review: If you're the type who thinks your pregnancy is so special, so sacred, or so precious that having a few laughs about the changes in your body will upset you, then don't get this book. If, however, you already have a serious book or two (such as Dr. Sears's "Birth Book") and are looking for a light read, I highly recommend this book. The tone is upbeat and fresh, the advice is given lightly without being preachy, and it's just a fun look at all the ins and outs (so to speak) of what promises to be a crazy nine months! Also, this book helped my husband get involved in what to expect more than any other book because it's non-threatening and fun. As I read, he'd get curious about what I was laughing about and next thing we knew, it was on HIS bedside table instead of mine! I don't know why other reviewers found parts of this book offensive. I found it very easy to disregard any opinions of the author's with which I didn't agree. The very nature of her approach is personal, so whatever didn't apply to me I ignored (after the inevitable laugh that I found in every paragraph) I have yet to find a book about this topic that is so perfect that I agree with every word. Besides, how else do we form opinions, but by hearing those of others? This book is great for the newly pregnant woman who has a sense of humor!
Rating:
Summary: Fun and Informative - thanks Vicki!
Review: I can't recommend this book enough. Vicki hits home on all the things you're wondering or need to know, while making it fun to read. I laughed so many times - she has a way with words that will tickle your funny bone. This book became my personal time-out at night to snuggle up in bed and learn about my pregnancy, what to prepare for, and what's going to happen next. I couldn't put the book down. It's not just fun to read, it's very informative, and she gives you good advice that you actually will use. This book makes pregnancy fun - and believe me, with all the scary things you read about pregnancy, this is crucial for good mental health. You'll run right out to buy the sequel for the first year of motherhood. I plan on buying this book for all my friends when they get pregnant.
Rating:
Summary: cute, fun book!
Review: I have to agree with other posters that this is a FUNNY book that provides a much more realistic view of what pregnancy and labor are REALLY like! I was very stressed out by my "what to expect" book, but the Girlfriend's Guide has allowed me to have much more of a sense of humor about everything. This book truly made me laugh out on more than one page.
True, her fashion tips are a little dated -- does ANYONE wear leggings anymore?? -- but the intent is still good. Overall, I loved this book.
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