The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy: Or Everything Else Your Doctor Won't Tell You is a sassy, yet reassuring guide for anyone experiencing a first pregnancy. In fact, People called it "a laugh-out-loud primer for unseasoned moms-to-be."
About The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy
Written by Vicki Iovine, The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy covers topics such as sex during pregnancy, recovering from a caesarean section, coping with morning sickness, the shock of discovering your first stretch marks, and the struggle to find stylish maternity clothing. Just for fun, the book even includes clever lists like the "Ten Greatest Lies About Pregnancy" and the "Top Ten Reasons Why You'll Do This All Over Again." The book is available in print (about $16) or as a Kindle edition (about $13).
Iovine, often described as a hipper Erma Bombeck, comes across as the helpful and wise girlfriend all newly pregnant women wish they had during this emotionally difficult time. For example, when describing the importance of a healthy diet, she writes, "Do not panic, however, if you fail to eat textbook balanced meals everyday during your first couple months of pregnancy. No matter how vehement those other pregnancy books are about your needing eight ounces of protein, four glasses of milk and a bushel of green leafy vegetables everyday, just do the best you can and keep talking to your doctor."
While The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy has plenty of fans, it does have its share of critics as well. Many women have complained that Iovine didn't seem to enjoy being pregnant and that that she downplayed the benefits of exercise for the expectant mother. However, her book was never intended to be a feel-good, inspirational guide for the mom-to-be. If you're ready for hilarious anecdotes and honest reassurance, Iovine's wit and edgy sarcasm is just what you need. If not, there are plenty of other pregnancy books for you to enjoy.
Supplementary Materials
After you've finished reading Iovine's pregnancy guidebook, you may want to pick up The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy Daily Diary, a journal that lets you record your own observations about pregnancy and childbirth. There's also a Girlfriends' Interactive Guide to Pregnancy CD-ROM that is no longer being produced, but frequently found for sale on eBay.
About Vicki Iovine
Vicki Iovine is the mother of four children, a regular contributor to Child and Redbook, and a frequent guest on Today, Oprah, Good Morning America, and other popular television programs. She graduated Summa cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley and later went on to attend law school and become a member of the California Bar Association.
In addition to The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy, Iovine is also the author of the following books:
Not Right for Everyone
If you're looking for rigid, old-fashioned rules, this is probably not the book for you. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a fun, down-to-earth read and a practical, real life look at pregnancy, this is definitely worth a look.
