What to Expect When You're Expecting, Third Edition

Customer Reviews

Much Ado About NOTHING!

Although I read this so called "reference" over six years ago, I was just remembering how over-rated this book actually is. I also see that I am far from alone in this assessment. ............ I remember getting quite disgusted when I read "What To Expect..." for not having ANY reference to perfectly normal symptoms I was experiencing. This panicked me of course. I'd visit the OB, and be told, "It's very common", "It's Nothing" ect. So why didn't these highly reknowned so called "experts" mention a single WORD in reference to highly commonplace discomforts of pregnancy? ............... When it came to my ninth month, and I began labor, MY symptoms were once AGAIN missing. NOT GOOD! It seems that this book is making money on a reputation it doesn't deserve whatsoever. Sure, there has to be SOME relevant info within all these pages, but for the most part, I found this book full of conflicted, or missing information instead. The author is WAY more concerned about what your eating, and that you keep your weight down, than what you're feeling. We KNOW what's good for us. We don't need a lecture, we need questions answered, right? I paid 50 cents for mine at a library sale, so I guess I got my moneys worth. ...............There IS one more book that is more confusing, and full of conflicting information."What To Expect The First Year." I made many mistakes due to advice from this companion book, but that's ANOTHER review.................... When it comes to pregnancy books, this one is good for your second and subsequent pregnancies. That's because you won't NEED it anymore, and YOU can write your own. If you STILL want to try it, you can "expect" less. Good luck!

Complete, nicely structured... 'nuf said! Get your copy!

Since my wife and I found out we were expecting, we've been avid readers of our copy of "What to Expect When You're Expecting". True that an important part of the content is devoted to the fears and "things that could go wrong" but the fact is that when you don't have information it is fear about the unknown precisely. I find the way the book is presented, in a kind of Question and Answer way, to be very easy to follow. If you zoom out a bit more, you find a predictable structure to every chapter each of which corresponds to a month of the pregnancy, so you can't get lost here. If you want more of an issue, there's normally at least two answers dealt with. If you only have limited time to read something, it's put together in such a way that you can skim through it without missing out on a lot.

All in all, it takes you by the hand as you learn more about the mother's body and the changes she's undergoing, the baby's growth and what to expect when, as well as what the fathers feel and fear during these forty beautiful weeks. Get it and join the "secret" club of the pregnant couples who already have it: at least I felt that way when I got it. Before you're pregnant this is one of those books you will never hear about. Once the word is out, EVERY single person who's already a parent will recommend it.

Great For Beginners

This is a great all-around baby book for first-time Moms and Dads, from month-by-month developmental charts to when to call the doctor and when to relax and wait. Best alternatives are Sears and Leach, or you can pick from conservative to liberal books on child behavior or books on Dads or single parenting. My favorite recent book on parenting is "I Sleep At Red Lights: A True Story of Life After Triplets," by Bruce Stockler, which captures the incredible chaos, joy, anxiety and humor in being a parent--and making priorities. Also loved Annie Lamott's "Operating Instructions" (although some women I know object to her bizarre background.)