The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy

by Vicki Iovine

Book Overview

The practical, comforting, honest, and hilarious bestseller for moms-to-be, with more than one and a half million copies in print Your doctor gives you medical advice. Your mother buys you baby... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671021761
• ISBN13: 9780671021764
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Everything your doctor won't tell you

A straight forward book on pregnancy and what to expect. Great read for first time moms or for a few laughs. Enjoy!

Clever

I think this book is a must have for all pregnant women. It gives a funny, honest look at pregnancy. I used it during my first pregnancy. It is hilarious! I had several other textbook type books on pregnancy but this one tells you straight out what to expect, which I found refreshing. I'm about to start reading the Best Friends' Guide to Toddlers. I can't wait!

Very funny - maybe frightening for first timers

I agree with another reviewer that this book could scare a first-time pregnant woman. I've been reading it lately as a second-time pregnant woman and it's hilarious and extremely true for me and my experiences. She maps out my first pregnancy "by the book". It's also a book I wish my husband would read. I think Vicki Iovine read my mind. It does at times present a negative view of pregnancy, but I have to say from my experience, it's a very realistic view. I try to think back to my first pregnancy and birth and wonder if this would have scared me...I think it would have, but I would have been a little more prepared for what would really happen to me! This time around, it has been very comforting to read that so many other women experienced the same things I did in pregnancy and birth. For some reason - I thought I was the only person in the world who ever went through this!!! If you're looking for an honest, realist view of what I'd call an "average pregnancy" - this is a wonderful read.

lighthearted, witty, fun

This book is good for a laugh and more. It doesn't pretend to be a serious source of pregnancy related medical advice. It is a compilation of the experiences of one woman and her friends. With so many pregnancy books out there, one with a little levity is a must read.

If you have a sense of humor, this one's for you

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!

The lighter side of pregnancy

I cannot disagree with all the negative reviews more!Vicki's (hey, I can call her that, we're 'Girlfriends' now) book has made me laugh out loud and also read in rapt silence. She makes it abundantly clear that this book is not to be taken as a be-all-end-all medical reference on pregnancy. Instead, she offers first-hand accounts of what this 9 month experience is all about and does so in a frank manner.Since this is my first pregnancy, I've been scouring the book stores for every book written on the subject and feel this is the first one that doesn't preach. I like her honest takes on eating, exercise, and pain management during labor. I don't believe she ever tells the reader to eat poorly, not to exercise at all, and that an epidural is a must - she offers her opinions on the topics and leaves it at that. I love this book and encourage first timers and other moms-to-be to read and enjoy this book as well. If nothing else, remember that laughter is the best medicine...and you can even take it while you're pregnant!