- CD-ROM
- ISBN-10: 0671574124
- ISBN-13: 978-0671574123
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (733 customer reviews)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Most helpful customer reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
At first I was amused by the relaxed style and bonhomie (bonfemie?), but as I read more and did a bit more research about this book, I became less and less impressed. The author unconsciously reveals some big neuroses about body image (I guess it makes sense that a former Playboy model would have them), especially in her chapter about exercise during pregnancy. She discourages it because, among other specious reasons, "You Will Not Look Good in Your Leotard." Please. A well-researched article on stumptuous.com points out that "children of moms who exercised before, during, and after pregnancy were shown to be relatively leaner themselves five years later." Plus, mothers who are fit tend to recover more quickly after giving birth.
Furthermore, the author assumes that the reader will of course be giving birth in a hospital, supervised by a doctor, and that her primary motivation in deciding whether or not to breastfeed will be concern for the shape of her breasts. (What was I saying about body image über alles?)
Some of the advice in the chapter called "Pregnancy Insanity" is indeed reassuring, and helpful to share with one's partner. Forewarned is forearmed, etc. But in general, the more I dip into this book, the angrier it makes me. (And yeah, the affected capitalization of the word "girlfriend" throughout gets up my snout, too.) Wish I'd checked the reviews before I bought it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book insulted my intelligence. Not only is it not helpful, the author gives advice based solely on her own experience and the experiences of her pregnant friends - this advice often contradicts the advice of doctors who are not only well educated in the area, but have the anecdotal evidence of the thousands upon thousands of patients whom they have helped through their pregnancies. While I can see how the author attempts to appeal to the pregnant woman by taking a more casual "I'm just like you" approach, she basically gives people permission to eat whatever they want, be out of shape, ignore what their doctors tell them and assume that they are getting the "real info" from their friends. I am not a health nut, nor do I exercise obesessively, but the advice in this book borders on irresponsible. My husband actually threw it across the room it made us so mad. I really do not believe that I am a snob, but I have to say that this book is a blatant attempt to appeal to the lowest common denominator of moms who are looking for excuses to lay around for nine months stuffing their faces with whatever they want and doing basically nothing.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I found this book to be annoying at best, and rather disturbing on the whole. Absolutely NONE of the "10 lies about pregnancy" were true for me when I carried and gave birth to my two daughters. As a whole, I found it to more of the tripe that encourages women to view pregnancy as a disease that requires medical intervention, rather than a natural process that usually turns out well when intelligently managed in concert with an midwife or obstetrician. I would never give this book to a pregnant friend, since the overall sarcastic and pessimistic tone would likely fuel any anxiety she already had about the birth process. Frankly, I discreetly discarded this book quite soon after receiving it as a gift from my mother.
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3.7 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
An honest look at pregnancy
Enjoyed this read... an honest look at the good bad and ugly of being pregnant. I still relate to the author's description of the body pillows.
Published 12 days ago by Pezzy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Funny but read it for entertainment and comfort, not information
Funny book that should be considered a light, comforting read for a first time pregnancy. I found it very stress relieving and enjoyable, but still used other books like What to... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mona
1.0 out of 5 stars
I want my 20 bucks back
I am pregnant with my first child and this was the first book I read after hearing it was a better book to read than the "negative" What to Expect When You're Expecting. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Meg Johnston
3.0 out of 5 stars
read for fun
Take some of her 'advice' with a box of salt (ie. no exercising during pregnancy, doctors are gods, fathers aren't attracted to you while pregnant). Read more
Published on May 6 2010 by lafleurpetite
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
A refreshing change from conventional pregnancy books. The perfect gift for a new mother to be.
I purchased a used copy at a great price. Read more
I purchased a used copy at a great price. Read more
Published on Feb 11 2010 by J. Peskett
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favourite Pregnancy Book
I just loved this book - and it has been circulating around all of my pregnant friends -and we are think it's great. Read more
Published on Oct 17 2009 by CBM
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good for a laugh but do NOT take any information seriously!
While it was refreshing to read a book that wasn't preachy and super-serious (like What to Expect... Read more
Published on Sep 14 2008 by Chelsea
3.0 out of 5 stars
Amusing, but take it with a grain of salt
I received this book as a gift (and had it recommended to me by a couple of friends). I certainly laughed quite a bit while reading it-- often out loud-- but I also rolled my eyes... Read more
Published on Aug 17 2008 by KT
4.0 out of 5 stars
Life Saver
This book saved my life. I really don't know any other way to describe it. I was a miserable pregnant woman - nervous and scared all the time. Read more
Published on Feb 9 2007 by Sabrina Andersen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Personal
As someone who has recently moved away from family and friends, I found Vicky Iovine's more personal approach a comfort, a good laugh, and a picture of pregnancy I could relate to. Read more
Published on May 29 2006 by august1
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