The Girlfriends' Guide to Surviving the First Year of Motherhood: Wise and Witty Advice on Everything from Coping With Postpartum Mood Swings to Salvaging Your Sex Life to Fitting into That Favorite P

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Summary: This is a hilarious book with practicle tips
Review: This book is one you should probably start reading before the baby is born (since you won't have a minute to relax after). I read this book after my son was 1 month old, I laughed so hard, so many times through this book, because I could relate to many of Iovine's stories. From doo-doo to diets, the first day home to the first night out (alone!), this book will keep your mind at ease. You realize that you are not alone in this "zombie-phase" called motherhood. I loaned this book to both of my expecting friends and they loved it too. Although once through, it is a one time read, you will probably not need to refer to again.

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Summary: A GOOD LAUGH BUT NOT FOR LONG
Review: This book is definatly funny. It will have you crying with laughter by the 2nd chapter. The autor does a good job of describing what to expect, however, she goes a little extream. By time your done reading it, your so scared to give birth, its not funny. If you we'rent worried about depression afterward, you will be after reading the book. But for a good laugh, and sometimes you'll need that, give it a try.

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Summary: Great companion book.
Review: I loved this book! I bought it a month before the birth of my son, (my first) and it kind of prepared me for what to expect. I didn't read her first book but I plan on buying it and reading it before my next pregnancy as well as recommending it to all my pregnant freinds. Her insite is open and honest and very refreshing. She tells it like it is.

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Summary: Must have BEFORE birth
Review: I received this as a shower gift - one month before my daughter was born. I was so busy getting the house in order I didn't get to read the book until after the baby was born. This is a MUST HAVE book for the 2nd trimester when you're enjoying all that is going around and you're not just waiting for the baby to be born. Only one thing Vicki - how come you don't cover teething??? It's such a helpless stage in the baby's life and when she cries, I want to cry....

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Summary: Iovine strikes again
Review: With ever-irreverent and witty writing, Vicki Iovine has created another really great book to help women cope with the adjustments motherhood brings. I liked the Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy a lot better than this book, but as a companion, it was pretty good. I especially like her bare-bones honesty about the less pretty side of maternity and childrearing. It's good to have a girlfriend who has been there tell it like it is. I look forward to Surviving the Pre-teen Years, but I bet we'll have to wait on that one a while.

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Summary: couldnt have survived twins without it
Review: FABULOUS! what else can i say girlfriends? i was NOT lucky enough to have received the girlfriends guide to pregnancy and i must say, i picked this up myself for something to read while breastfeeding. iovine is outright hilarious and reassured me that i can laugh at myself. for those not amused by her humor-stay away, but otherwise, she can make sure that more women are not steeped in the "postpartumish" feelings that might befall upon us. it was validating to hear that you would lose things, and immediately after reading that, i lost my engagement ring and the actual book. amazingly enough, when i found the book, i found the ring! i have marked pages for my weary husband to read so that he can understand better that its not just me, that a whole population of women out there are just as crazy as i am. thank you vicki-keep them coming!

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Summary: Very dissapointing
Review: I am not amused by this book. After reading this book, I felt awful. I am still pregnant. After reading this, I doubted my decision to have children. I doubted my ability to take care of my child. I felt guilty enough about returning to work, now I feel worse! I feel more confused than ever. Please don't buy this for your pregnant friends because they will not be amused, but scared, frustrated, and very low. I knew motherhood would be no walk in the park, but I thought I would get some joy out of it. Now I am rather hopeless towards the future of my life with my baby because it seems as if there will be jo joy-nothing but crying. She destroys any semblance of confidence and makes fun of bottle-feading, family beds. Throughout the book, she dwells only on the hospital, the sleeplesness, the weight, and the crying and how awful you will feel. I had such high hopes because I loved the guide to pregnancy, but I was sadly dissapointed. I just hope I can find something positive to read or see that will make me regain hope and some confidence that I might be capable enough to take care of a child.

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Summary: THE Most Important Step in Postpartum Recovery
Review: I cannot stress strongly enough how helpful this book can be to a woman who has just had her first baby! As the author clearly states, The Girlfriend's Guide is not a medical resource or a baby care manual, it's just a collection of anecdotal information to let the new mother in on what she's REALLY in for in the near future. There is no other book (to my knowledge) that is so clear about exactly how you may feel after giving birth, and into the months ahead. What a relief to find out how "normal" my experience was. I found this book so reassuring that I now feel that giving a copy as a baby shower gift is one of the most compassionate things anyone can do for a friend. Iovine's manner is funny but respectful, disarming and comforting--she treats the reader just how she needs to be treated at this emotionally turbulent time in her life. Finally, as an extra bonus, you may pick up a few tips on how to get your baby to sleep, how to work back into a romantic relationship with your husband, and how to get your body back into shape. Overall, a fun, helpful, easy read.

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Summary: Vicki Iovine saved my life!
Review: BUY THIS BOOK! In those first few weeks when exhaustion, loneliness, moments of panic, and wacked-out hormones left me wondering if I could cope with motherhood, I clung to The Girlfriend's Guide To Suriving the First Year. Iovine lets you know that you are not alone! Yes, this book is about the *mother*, and thank god for that! Like the title says, Iovine is wise--and she is certainly witty (this should have been a clue to disgruntled readers!). The book is funny and irreverent. Iovine exaggerates, uses irony, pokes fun at herself and her husband. It gave me a good laugh when I needed one the most. But most important, it is very honest about all of the emotions--good and bad--that new mothers deal with. I found this book just as important as the traditional baby books. New parents need to learn how to take care of themselves, not just their baby, and this book is a great way to start. I guess if all you want are cold hard facts, schedules, and information, this book is not for you. But if you want a real-life look at parenting that also makes you laugh out loud, give yourself this book as a gift and enjoy it!

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Summary: Not a reference on parenting, but on SURVIVAL!
Review: The title says it all: The Girlfriends' Guide to SURVIVING the First Year of Motherhood. Folks, this book is not about parenting so much as it is about SURVIVAL. I loved it because I didn't need, want or expect a book about the Nirvana of motherhood, I wanted a book to help me with the REALITY of motherhood. I needed a book that looked at motherhood with a sense of humor as well as dispensing advice. If you are looking for a book by a doctor, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a book that tells you like a Girlfriend would tell you, then BUY THIS BOOK. Keep it next to the toilet (the only place in the world you might find solitude and a chance to read). I reads nicely in small chunks of time. A great reference for those of us who don't have mothers, sisters or girlfriends close enough to "get the skinny" on what childbirth, recovery, and the first year are really like.