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Summary: A nice break from the very serious pregnancy books
Review: This book is a breath of fresh air amidst the majority of books out there about pregnancy. I found this book to be entertaining and after having my son, I can vouch that there is alot of truth in "what to expect". This book doesn't serve to make the expecting mother more paranoid(any more than she already is) with talk of all the things that can go wrong with the baby, all the things she should and shouldn't be eating, and all the ways to avoid getting fat. Vicki Iovine speaks with a fresh and welcome tone and manages to make light of a very life-changing experience. This book is a pretty standard gift for new pregnant friends.
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Summary: I would've burned it, but it wasn't my copy.
Review: Really. Though some have found this book immensly helpful, I found the author/narator's obsession with her physical appearance grating. The advice to forget about excercise because you'll get fat anyway was ludicrous. Also, as an admittedly biased first time mom who gave birth at home with midwives in attendance, I didn't really get anything out of the 'trust you doctor' vibe.
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Summary: there are other, better books
Review: My best friend and I were disappointed in this book. While seemingly written to be humorous, we strongly feel that the underlying message of this book is to encourage and to validate being bitchy or whiny during pregnancy. It wasn't a book I could share with my husband because he was offended in the first chapter. If you want good books that answer your pregnancy questions, try "What to Expect When You are Expecting" or Dr. Sears' "Birth Book."
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Summary: The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy
Review: I read this book twice during my pregnancy! It is absolutely fabulous for new moms-to-be. I have bought this book for all of my friends who are expecting and they love it, too. Vicki Iovine is hilariously honest about things that most people are embarrassed to talk about. I am now reading The Girlfriend's Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood and love it almost as much. While they may not be full of much medical information, these books provide practical advice to keep new moms from going insane. Buy another book if you are looking for serious medical explanations, but buy this book if you need a good laugh!
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Summary: Great book, funny and informative!
Review: This was a delightful book! I found questions to answers I may not have asked. Very funny, the author's approach to subjects was great. Definately a lighter side to pregnancy. It is currently on loan to friends who have enjoyed it as well.
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Summary: The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy
Review: My husband bought this book for me while I was pregnant with our son, Ian. We read it together, and separately, and loved every bit. The advice in this book was wonderful and extremely helpful. It's always nice to know that you aren't the only crazy pregnant woman running around! I have never been more than a size 5, so watching my belly expand, while wonderful, was also quite difficult. She helped me get over it and revel in my new body shape. It was nice having someone answer all those questions that other books forget about. You know, the more personal things that happen while you are pregnant! :-) I wanted to send a copy to my sister-in-law, who is expecting her first baby in November, but my wonderful mother-in-law beat me to it.
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Summary: Read this book if you are pregnant!
Review: today is my due date (5/31), and no, my baby is not here, but i am not worried. the girlfriends warned me. compared to all the other more medical or nazi-like books i have seen or been given during my pregnancy, this is the most fabulous book i have read on pregnancy! this is such a fast read that i wish it were longer. if you have a pregnant friend, buy this as a gift -- she'll love it!
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Summary: Demeaning to women
Review: This book included very few facts on the true experience of pregnancy. It assumes that women are not strong enough to handle the most incredible life experience with grace and dignity. The "medical" advice is based upon the patriarchal medicalization of birth for the convenience of doctors. I recommend you pass on this book and find one that trusts women to be strong enough to celebrate the birth experience.
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Summary: Every 1st time mother should have this book
Review: I am pregnant with my first baby and I was so worried about labor and delivery and if i was the only one that had these fears. I would ask my mother and she would just say that she didnt remember her labor or delivery, except that it was painful. I was nervous about asking the doctor thinking that she would think i was silly or something, but this book gave down to earth, straight forward answers and explanations for everything, and boy was everything so funny. the author had a very good way of putting a comical twist on everything and it really lighten the burden of fear that i was carrying around with me. after reading this book, i cant say i am totally ready but i can say, that i am a lot more relaxed and not as afraid. every first time parent should have this book.
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Summary: Laughter is excellent pregnancy exercise!
Review: Despite any negative reviews this book may have received, I found it to be very helpful--not necessarily in the technical sense, but in the girlfriend sense. I do not have any friends in town that are in the baby-production stage of life, most of them being out of their child-bearing years or just not interested right now, and my entire family lives in other states, so I was kind of on my own. With this book, as well as others (Birthing From Within, What to Expect When You're Expecting, etc.), I felt like I was armed with just about everything I needed to make informed choices for the births of my children--along with my midwife.
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