Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very funny... unless you're the one she's laughing at, 14 Sep 2004
By A Customer
If you automatically agree with Ms Iovine and what she chose to do and believe during her 4 pregnancies, then you will find this book a great, funny read. BUT, if you have your own mind, ideas about what is best for you, your life and pregnancy that don't concur -- you will be laughed at, dismissed and lambasted in this book. Ms Iovine pulls no punches is making it clear that any woman mad enough to exercise during pregnancy is putting her baby at risk and will, ultimately, be responsible for her own miscarriage. Such a woman is characterized as selfish and vain, supposedly thinking more of herself than her child; in other words, she is a bad 'girlfriend' -- what century is the author writing in?! She also has no patience and many ironic jibes to hurl at any woman who would choose to have anything but an ultra-medicated in-hospital birth attended by a male (poss female) obstetrician. If you don't book your epidural and c-sec before your 1st trimester is done, or you think that breastfeeding is really worth all the trouble and discomfort, then you are characterized as some latter-day hippy nutter who needs to get with her program. Also, even as an American living in the UK looking for an back-home perspective, this book is far too steeped in the US medical system for me. It is very dismissive of midwife care (which is the norm in the UK, but still illegal in many US states) and homebirth (which is a woman's right in the UK and encouraged as a healthy option for healthy women). If you have ever even contemplated such things for just a few minutes -- let alone if it is the norm where you live -- you are laughed at in good detail. I was not impressed with this book. I'm sure I cannot be the only one.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Starts very well -- but ultimately a let down, very American, 4 Sep 2004
By A Customer
I really loved the first 1/3 of this book. I felt normal; she spoke of incidents, feelings, aches and pains -- and a slew of embarrassing details -- that no one was willing to discuss.But it was very middle American in point of view and presumptions about the reader and her pregnancy. I say this as an American living in the UK, who thought this book would be a good bridge. BUT -- I was frankly insulted by her tone and her suggestions (her "rants" as she calls them) in the last 2/3 of the book. Basically, if you choose to have a completely medicalized birth attended by a male obstetrician, then you are a normal woman on the road to being a great, normal mother. You must then join her in her relentless ridicule of any woman who would think of using the services of a midwife, having a home birth, using pain relief other than an epidural, or even exercising during pregnancy. Such women are blatantly laughed at as foolish and dangerous to their children. The WORST MOMENT of the book is when she describes women who exercise during pregnancy, and the doctors who recommend such exercise, as deliberately being selfish, vain, and causing their own miscarriages. I was completely shocked by this. But she was unabashed in her abuse of such women and welcomed people to criticize her. She stands by her rant fully. In short it's a book that does some things well, but ultimately leaves a very sad taste in my mouth. Cannot recommend it beyond page 15.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Upbeat & fun... but beware, 24 Jan 2008
There are just so many pregnancy books out there that are full of serious information about the rights and wrongs of pregnancy: what to eat, how to birth, decisions about genetic testing... I think the Girlfriend's Guide is a great break from all the seriousness. She WILL have you laughing about pregnancy. It's a simple and very light read that I enjoyed having beside my bed when I wanted a break from all the "information" coming at me.
Now having said this, please beware that this woman is talking from a layperson's perspective and she doesn't pretend otherwise. I found myself irritated at her outdated views and her major lean toward medicated birthing. She also has very random views about what you should and shouldn't do with regards to exercising, eating, drinking and dying your hair. The key is just to take the book for what it is: a laugh about the discomforts and peculiarities of pregnancy. It is chatty and humourous. It is NOT a book to help you make decisions or get advice from experts. If you can completely let go of that expectation, you will find this book refreshing and fun.
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