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Book Review of The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy: Second Edition

The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy: Second Edition
SG avatar reviewed on + 25 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2


I was a little hesitant about trying this book. Some of the reviews (especially the whole "Carrie Bradshaw of pregnancy" quote) turned me off, by making the book sound shallow or frivolous, when what I need is some solid advice. But one of my friends recommended it to me, and I'm glad I tried it. The most refreshing thing about this book is that it doesn't have the preachy marm tone that many of the others (WTEWYE, Mayo) have. They mean well, and their medical advice is sound, but sometimes you get tired of feeling like you're being lectured to (and I'm getting a doctorate in public health, so I have a very high tolerance for lectures about health).

It's nice to know that the world isn't going to end if you don't feel like exercising because you're too damn exhausted. Or that other women get moody and occasionally feel like throttling their partners, too. It's also refreshing to hear the straight scoop about how, despite all the "miracle of life" business, pregnancy really sucks most of the time, but there are things you can do to make it a little better.

I would recommend that you try this book, plus either WTEWYE or the Mayo clinic book. That way you have your bases covered with some solid medical advice (which the Girlfriends Guide is pretty decent but not 100% on) from one of the other books, but can still rely on this one to help you get through your pregnancy with some good advice and a sense of humor.

By the way, if you're looking for a good book for dads, I recommend The Expectant Father. I guess my husband should really review that one, but at least I can say, it must be pretty good because he's actually been reading it. OK, he's only up to the 5th month and I'm in my 7th, but hey, that's not bad!