Lukewarm Endorsement of Breastfeeding"Breastfeeding can be wonderful if it suits your temperament and lifestyle (especially if it is given up by the time the baby can unbutton your shirt herself)." (p27) Note: And what is wrong with extended breastfeeding? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least 1 year and the World Health Organization recommends 2 years! Strangely Warped Preoccupation With Looks and Other Frivolities I suppose this is the former Playmate centerfold perspective, along with her supermodel friends… but I have never met a woman who cared so much about her pedicure or bikini wax status, and was so preoccupied with her pregnancy looks. This "girlfriend" is way too preoccupied with maternity fashions, getting fat, and having her makeup done for my tastes! Downright Bizarre Advice! One of the many gems of strange advice is that "you can never get to the hospital too early, even if you end up spending the next twenty-four hours just walking the halls of the maternity ward" (p70). Well, avoiding the cascade of interventions that can happen the longer you are in a hospital is a good reason to bag this bag advice. But, I also prefer my own surroundings, my own germs (instead of the vicious ones that inhabit most hospitals), being able to enjoy my own shower, my food and drink - heck, and being actually able to consume them without violating some inane policy. But, my personal favorite piece of advice is that the author recommends biting off babies fingernails over using clippers or scissors!!! Don't believe me? See page 198! In Summation I personally feel that the success of The Girlfriends' Guide is the clever title and marketing of the book. So many women express dissatisfaction with the information and tone contained in its pages. I realize that it is meant to be a funny book and not medical advice, but WAY too many women do not read it with that in mind. Please, if you are interested in learning more about pregnancy & birth, choose a book that will affirm the joys of pregnancy, encourage you to trust your instincts and make you feel confident in your ability to birth! Return: The Girlfriends' Guide To Pregnancy |