Beginning with the "10 Greatest Lies About Pregnancy" (number 10: Lamaze works), and ending with postpartum dementia, Vicki Iovine's Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy has fast become the laywoman's mouthpiece for the American pregnancy experience. Iovine is irreverent, sassy, and incredibly reassuring as she exposes the "truths" of pregnancy and childbirth, from sex to cellulite to cesareans. Iovine birthed four kids in six years, none of them twins, which certainly qualifies her as an expert. The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy does reveal Iovine's particular cultural biases (pregnant or not, most of us don't have record-producer husbands, hang out with supermodels, or wear size-four pants) and philosophical beliefs (she's not a particularly strong proponent of natural childbirth or nursing), but, taken with a grain or two of salt, she provides many hilarious moments, acres of advice, and honest reassurance readers will find nowhere else. --Ericka Lutz


From Publishers Weekly
For first-time mothers-to-be, this candid, funny and very reassuring guide to pregnancy is just what the doctor ordered?or would if he/she knew about it. Iovine, who has had four babies and who seemingly has girlfriends with many more, believes that women learn the really valuable things about pregnancy from other women. Since too few women in today's mobile society have a close circle of experienced female friends to turn to, Iovine's sharing of her own and her friends' experiences and knowledge fills a genuine need for comforting, straightforward, non-euphemistic woman-talk. Without stepping on any medical toes, and in language that is neither technical nor cutesy, she tackles morning sickness, swollen breasts, exercises, stretch marks, sex during and after pregnancy, delivery and just about everything else, from maternity clothing to bladder behavior. Iovine anticipates every conceivable question, and her responses are warm, wise and witty. Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
If you need a good laugh while waddling through a pregnancy then the Girlfriends' Guide is just the thing. In addition to being packed with important advice and insider survival tips, Iovine's terrific sense of humor separates this set from traditional books for expectant mothers. The recording quality is remarkably clear, and Iovine's voice is easy on the ears, though perhaps a bit too gentle for the hilarious sarcasm that balances her sound advice. Without a doubt, this tape will elicit hearty chuckles from the listener and will be passed from girlfriend to girlfriend. E.W.S. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Review
People A laugh-out-loud primer for unseasoned moms-to-be.

ANNOTATION

A delivery room veteran gives you the low-down as only the best friend can. From the top ten lies ("Maternity clothes are so much cuter now"), to the long-awaited birth, here are practical tips and hilarious takes on everything pregnant.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Offers practical, lighthearted advice to pregnant women, including tips on dealing with mood swings, sex during pregnancy, common fears, physical changes, childbirth, and more, in a new hardcover edition of the paperback best-seller.

SYNOPSIS

For expectant mothers in need of a good laugh, this realistic, refreshing, and utterly hilarious pregnancy book offers great tips on dealing with body changes, maternity clothes, talking with your doctor, what to buy for baby, and more.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly