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Summary: The most negative views on pregnancy I have ever heard
Review: I bought this book about 3 1/2 years ago and unfortunately have not had use for it until now and so maybe I am different than most because I am beyond thrilled to be pregnant. I started to read this but was so turned off by her negativity. Even my friends who didn't have fertility issues never complained like Iovine does - it's annoying and surprising that she has 4 children. I am so excited to go through 40 weeks of pregnancy and yes I know there is going to be stuff that will be pretty unpleasant but I don't know any girlfriend who thinks pregnancy is horrible because of what it does to your figure - she sounds selfish and shallow and I agree with another reader, I feel sorry for her children.
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Summary: Best Pregnancy Book Ever
Review: For my first pregnancy I bought every book I could find and read all of them. This was the only one that really tells you like it is while giving you the support and humor yo need to get through those nine months. I couldn't even wait until my baby was born to read "The Girlfriends Guide to the First Year of Motherhood". Buy these books for yourself and anyone else you know who is expecting. I read parts over and over. They deal with all kinds of issues as well as lots of things none of these other books talk about - especailly the fears and insecurities you might have. It was fun to read and very true.
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Summary: A must-purchase gift by all newly-expectant husbands.
Review: I got this book for my wife as soon as I learned that we were pregnant, and she ripped through it in just a couple of nights, laughing out loud time and time again. She LOVED it, and has read it several times since from cover to cover. I've read the chapter on husband's reactions to pregnancy, and it is dead on. As soon as we announced the pregnancy, all of her girlfriend's suggested the book to her, and I got plenty of bonus points for having already gotten it for her. By the way, there is a lot of really good medical information here, too; it's not all humor.
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Summary: not for single moms or calendar owners
Review: I tried to read this book when I was trying to conceive. At first I found it funny, but ultimately could not finish it. The jokes quickly get to be repetitive -- I stopped laughing after the first chapter or two.Two additional things that annoyed me, besides those mentioned by other reviewers, are 1) Iovine assumes that anyone who is pregnant must have a husband and 2) she keeps insisting, throughout the entire book, that a pregnancy is really ten months, not nine (this would be annoying even if she were right, which she is not). I was single while trying to conceive (and am now a single mom), but I don't consider myself to be overly-sensitive to the fact that many pregnancy books assume a pregnant woman must be married -- most pregnant women are. But Iovine's book tells you what you should be ordering your husband to do for you on just about every other page -- it gets tiresome quickly. I doubt that I would have that attitude towards my husband if I had one -- at least I hope not, since I find Iovine's view of husbands is rather negative and demeaning. Then there's the fact that, at the beginning of the book, Iovine concludes that 40 weeks is 10 months, and thereafter, she repeatedly says "during the nine(ten) months of a pregnancy.....". If this woman owned a calendar, she would know that the only month which has just 4 weeks in it is February. The average month has 4 and 1/3 weeks in it (52 divided by 12). This means that it takes 13 weeks, not 12, to equal 3 calendar months, and 39 weeks, not 36, to equal 9 calendar months. 40 weeks is 9 months plus a week. But of course you're not actually pregnant for the first two of those weeks -- from conception to birth, a pregnancy actually lasts about 9 calendar months MINUS a week. It's not a male conspiracy, it's simple math! This math error would not have irked me so much if Iovine had just made it at the beginning of the book and let it go. Instead, she repeats it every third page or so. This is another feature which got tiresome quickly, and another reason I wasn't able to finish the book. Those who are more tolerant of math errors and repetition than I may be able to overlook these things, but I couldn't.
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Summary: A good way to keep your sense of humor!!
Review: I feel that this book gave me a good view of how humorous the human body can be during pregnancy. Reading some of the situations made me feel better about what I was feeling and that it was normal to feel a little crazy at times. Don't loose your sense of humor with the experience and pamper yourself now by reading a book like this. If you want medical advice, get a medical book. It doesn't take a genius to figure that one out! I really enjoyed loosing myself in this book and getting some tidbits of info that i'm sure will be helpful... if you're not sure, read the excerpt. that's why it's there! ;)
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Summary: Get a sense of humor!!!
Review: I read the sample pages online and immediatly purchased this book. I was disappointed to read all of the negative reviews written by women who obviously have no sense of humor. It's a very down-to-earth book, that isn't afraid to tell you like it is. Something I couldn't get from "What To Expect..." I'm glad to know that some people don't have to look at pregnancy so seriously, if you eat a piece of choclate, it won't kill you. I promise.
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Summary: Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy
Review: This was actually the first pregancy book that I read and I enjoyed it! I laughed thru several sections and liked the fact that Iovine shared the nitty gritty details that so many books won't discuss. Yes, her statements about weight gain and fashion are a little depressing but these are her views on her pregnancy. Every reader will have a different view point on their impending expansions and some will be upset while others are just thrilled, so take the authors opinions with a grain of salt. There really is not a lot of medical advice but she does clearly state that you shouldn't depend on this book for such advice anyway, that is what your doctor is for. For a humourous look at pregnancy, a must read!
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Summary: I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Review: I generally do not write reviews, but after reading this book and the negative reviews by other readers, I thought another opinion should be stated. This was one of the funniest things I have ever read. It covered all of the questions about how you "feel" while you are pregnant, and talked about them as only girlfriends would. It is very descriptive and at times can be down right raunchy. But the birthing process isn't squeeky clean now is it? I have told everyone I know to buy this for gifts, and now that my girlfriends are having babies I'm getting it for them. It is not meant to be taken seriously and the author Vicky Iovine doesn't want you to. Several times throughout this book she states that this is only her opinion based on her own experiences as well as her girlfriends, and to consult your doctor for any concerns you may have. Don't get this if you want a medical opinion on your pregnancy. Get this if you want a real "laugh out loud" experience. By the way, my husband also found some of the chapters amusing.
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Summary: BEST BOOK EVER!!!!
Review: Vicki's book was the funniest pregnancy book I've EVER read. Everyone gets the "What to Expect...." book, and if you're looking for boring medical mumbo-jumbo, What to Expect is fine. But if you want a light-hearted look at pregnancy, that is TOTALLY on the money, this is the book for you. I buy it for all my girlfriends. I was pregnant with twins, and going through major physical changes. I loved reading this book, because Vicki went through the exact same things I did. And she wasn't shy about hitting the nail right on the head. I would laugh so hard when reading this I'd have to run for the bathroom! The reviewers who wrote in and said it was an awful book obviously have no sense of humor, and take themselves way too seriously. Being pregnant is a wonderful, magical experience, but it's also funny as hell. Your body is taken over by a "parasite" and watch out! If you can't laugh at your sagging boobs, hemrhoids, and stretch marks, then you shouldn't be pregnant in the first place. All pregnant women are beautiful, but you won't feel beautiful every day. Vicki made me feel like finally someone "got it." AWESOME! A MUST READ!!!!
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Summary: Crude, lude and very disappointing
Review: I regret buying this book. It is so crude that I am embarrassed to still have it in the house. Not what I expected at all. I have no idea how this book is a best seller.
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