The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy

This book had such potential to be really really great and fun to read. That is until the writer started adding all of her thoughtless, judgemental opinions. I didn't buy this book to feel judged and sneered at. I couldnt believe how judgemental she was on nursing, natural childbirth, unmarried mothers, etc. Maybe someone should tell this ex playboy bunny that her breasts are actually for nursing and not to be used to exploit herself only to write a mindless book once the flash bulbs are burnt out. I also felt like this book should have been published in 1950 based on all the time spent on making excuses for husbands who arent interested in you because of how "huge" you get. I dont have any girlfriends who are this unaware, so there for this is not my guide to pregnancy.

My husband and I are excitedly looking at the possibility of starting a family. Unfortunately, this is the first book I read in preparation. It started out pretty funny, amusing even. The author is witty and refreshing initially, but after a while, her advice seems jaded, almost bitter. I felt like she was trying too hard to be funny and in doing so, concentrated on the negative aspects of pregnancy. Having not been pregnant before, I was seriously distressed to read that, according to her, you would get fat, have terrible gas, and basically be miserable for 10 months.

The more I read, the more depressed I became. I finally had to put the book down and seek a reliable source - my mother (who ordered me to stop reading it at once!) If you are thinking of having a baby, I recommend you do the same.

First, Iovine dedicates an entire chapter to why you should not exercise during your pregnancy. She is WRONG!! Please, read the book, "Exercising Through your Pregnancy." A myriad of well-designed scientific studies have proven that exercise is not only NOT HARMFUL, but BENEFICIAL for both Mom & baby. (Not that Iovine cares about science...)

Second, she jokes about it not bringing a couple closer together. That was not my experience.
Lastly, she discusses an OB manually extracting the placenta. YOUR OB SHOULD NOT DO THIS! It is DANGEROUS! Educate yourself & don't waste time with this book. (See "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" for all the real facts on stupid OB procedures.)

Funny stuff! A good book to read when you need a break from all the serious and sometimes scary medical type pregnancy books - a healthy dose of laughter and a sense that you are not going through this alone - that others just like you have gone before and had the same fears that needed soothing....Vicky tells it like it is, with a hilarious twist that reminds you to relax, this will all be over soon and just enjoy the ride.

I loved this book! Vicki Iovine's writing style makes this book a great, fast read. I found it very hard to put down. Basically, she wants to give you information that, for the most part, isn't going to come from your doctor...you know, the stuff your friends ("Girlfriends") and family tell you to expect. And, let me tell you, so much of what she says is either something you've experienced, something you've thought about during prenancy, or something you've worried about, even if it hasn't happened to you.

I know many reviewers have commented on her advice in this book to "not exercise." I, too, was initially confused and a little concerned about that section of the book. Although I do think this is the one section that could be re-written a bit, because it does initially have that "tone" to it, what Vicki Iovine does end up saying is don't over-excerise, e.g., this isn't the time to train for a triathalon. She mentions that she ended up having some very potential serious problems with one or two of her pregnancies due to the fact that she was doing hardcore weight training during her pregnancy. She does say that walking, jogging (I think), swimming, and yoga are all good, but don't push yourself, and don't overdue it.

I would definitely recommend this book to other expectant mothers. It's a great read!