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!
Rating: 
Summary: Lots of fun to read!
Review: I enjoyed The Girlfriends' Guide. It is funny, easy to read and touches on a lot of things that really did happen when I was pregnant. At times, I found it to be a little too sarcastic - like when Vicki said "If anyone tells you they love being pregnant, they're lying." Otherwise, it was a good read. If you enjoyed this book, you will also like We're Pregnant!, a candid and humorous account of a pregnancy and delivery from both the mother's and the father's perspective. The expectant father is a hoot! Both books contain a great deal of information and are true-to-life.
Rating: 
Summary: almost made me adopt
Review: I tried hard to appreciate the humor of this book- but beyond that, it didn't highlight a single positive thing about being pregnant- in fact it almost scared me out of it. I would not recommend this book to anyone who's considering or experiencing pregnancy for the first time- stay away!
Rating:
Summary: Cute but scary if taken too seriously
Review: I thought the book was a hoot - she is very clever with her words. However, it is obvious some of it is written purely for the humor. Some of her advice, if written in a text book format and not in a humorous, conversational format, would be down right scary! One thing that points to this is her somewhat cavalier attitude about weight gain - chocolate chip cookies and milk every night under the pretense of getting your calcium?! Yikes. No wonder she got 'fat'. All in all, a cute, easy read for those first weeks where you just want to know everything you can. Beware of taking things like the 'upholstered body' too seriously. It is meant to be funny!
Rating:
Summary: Best book on pregnancy! By far!
Review: This is the funniest, most candid book I've found on pregnancy (it's also the funniest book I've ever read PERIOD!). Thus far, I only can empathize with the first trimester but it's right on track. Not only does Ms. Iovine give her point of view-- and she has a valid one, four babies later-- but offers the benefit of varying opinions from many Girlfriends. Talk to your husband about your pregancy? Don't bother. He's more interested in basket weaving than hearing about his future child. Wear your prepregnant pantyhose? Not unless you want them rolling down your tummy and stopping at your knees. Take a lacy nighty to the delivery room? Not if you ever plan to wear it again. Great advice. Excellently written. Gut-splittingly funny. Definitely a five star. Definitely MUST reading for all pregnant women. Much more valuable than all those fright books that threaten your life if you don't eat seventeen servings of vegetables a day. (I'd explode.)
Rating: 
Summary: Who wants to take pregnancy so SERIOUS all the time?
Review: After skimming a bunch of the reviews for this book, I had to add my own thoughts. The people who wrote that this book sucks were obviously expecting a different type of book and were not looking for something to let you LAUGH at pregnancy! Vicky says right out front, this is NOT a medical book, if you want medical advice, go somewhere else. No other book will tell you what a hemmoroid FEELS like or just HOW MUCH blood to expect in the hospital. Or that you will still look pregnant when you leave the hospital. This book IS NOT for those of you who are taking pregnancy seriously and reading all the books and writing out your birth plans and practicing with your birthing ball. It's for those of us standing in front of the fridge at 2am gnawing on a hunk of cheese, glaring at our spreading backsides in the mirror, and wondering when the heck our noses will stop bleeding. It's for those of us who are tired of having our tummies patted by strangers. It's for those of us who are ready to laugh at ourselves.
Rating:
Summary: I expected so much more
Review: I expected this book to be informative and hilarious. Instead, I feel I was talked down to and that this woman was trying to force her opinion on whomever's reading the book. To each her own. I whole heartedly disagree with her views on exercise during pregnancy. There are studies that show women who exercise before and during their pregnancies hold up better during labor because they are more physically fit. Remember to take everything you read with a grain of salt. Read this book after you've read a few others first.
Rating:
Summary: Undoubtably the best (non-medical) book on being pregnant!
Review: Vicki captures the good, the bad and the ugly of being pregnant in a way that only a good "girlfriend" would. I read all of the "What to expect..." books and every other piece of literature I could get my hands on during my first two pregnancies (10 and 7 years ago) and still wasn't totally prepared for the miracle of childbirth. Vicki reminded me, in a comical but direct way, of the little things that we experienced moms tend to forget when it comes to having that wonderful baby growing inside of you. If 10 stars were an option, The Girlfriend's Guide would get it from me! I'm 6 weeks into my third pregnancy and plan on re-reading this everytime I need a good chuckle during the long months ahead! A sense of humor is a must in order to fully enjoy this book.
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