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What to Expect When You're Expecting
Announcing a brand new, cover-to-cover revision of America's pregnancy bible. "What to Expect When You're Expecting" is a perennial New York Times bestseller and one of USA Today's 25 most influential books of the past 25 years. It's read by more than 90% of pregnant women who read a pregnancy book--the most iconic, must-have book for parents-to-be, with over 14....more
Hardcover, 4th edition, 614 pages
Published
April 25th 2008
by Workman Publishing
(first published 1984)
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If you have to read one book on pregnancy, do yourself a favor and pick a different one than What to Expect. If you have lots of time on your hands and want to read several books, go ahead and read this one too. The general tone of this book is alarmist and condescending. Unless, of course, you planned the conception perfectly (Why, you and your partner didn't even take Tylenol while trying to get pregnant!), your diet during pregnancy is a model that the USDA would be proud of, you wouldn't dre...more
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When I was pregnant with my first child, I picked up nearly every book on the bookstore shelves having to do with pregnancy and childbirth. I wanted comfort, a friend in the form of a book, a companion to hold my hand and let me know everything was going to be okay.
This book was not that friend.
Instead, everytime I read this book, I found myself getting more and more agitated. It exposed me to almost TOO much information, verging on the point of overload. You know how m...more
This book was not that friend.
Instead, everytime I read this book, I found myself getting more and more agitated. It exposed me to almost TOO much information, verging on the point of overload. You know how m...more
If you are expecting, I recommend not reading this one. Instead go for 'Spiritual Midwifery' by Ina May Gaskin;
'Babies, Breastfeeding, and Bonding' also by Ina May Gaskin; 'The Natural Pregnancy Book' by Aviva Jill Romm; 'Mother Rising: The Blessingway Journey Into Motherhood' by Yana Cortlund, Barb Lucke, and Donna Miller Watelet; and 'Mothering Magazine's Having a Baby, Naturally' by Peggy O'Mara.
I also recommend getting a subscription to both 'Mothering Magazine' and 'The ...more
'Babies, Breastfeeding, and Bonding' also by Ina May Gaskin; 'The Natural Pregnancy Book' by Aviva Jill Romm; 'Mother Rising: The Blessingway Journey Into Motherhood' by Yana Cortlund, Barb Lucke, and Donna Miller Watelet; and 'Mothering Magazine's Having a Baby, Naturally' by Peggy O'Mara.
I also recommend getting a subscription to both 'Mothering Magazine' and 'The ...more
How do I give this zero stars? This book should be called "What to Freak Out About When You're Expecting" and, unfortunately, goes hand-in-hand with TLC's "Baby Story" for gross negligence in maternity "infotainment." It addresses everything that could possibly "go wrong" or be of concern, emphasizing rare "high risk" complications that do NOT effect the VAST majority of women. Rather than explaining normal, healthy pregnancy in a positive and r...more
It may be appropriate to read these books as an introduction to pregnancy and birth, but you must not stop here!
The books in this series may be helpful if you know absolutely nothing about how pregnancy and birth are managed in mainstream America, or if you hate asking questions from your doctor. But in my opinion, there are many, many books out there that educate and prepare women to understand, deal with and manage their pregnancies and births as partners with their health care pr...more
The books in this series may be helpful if you know absolutely nothing about how pregnancy and birth are managed in mainstream America, or if you hate asking questions from your doctor. But in my opinion, there are many, many books out there that educate and prepare women to understand, deal with and manage their pregnancies and births as partners with their health care pr...more
I seem to disagree with most of the reviews of this book.
This book got me through my pregnancy. Period.
I wasn't overwhelmed by the amount of information; instead I found it to be the only friendly, comforting book out there. While other books were telling me that if I'd had a glass of wine before I knew I was pregnant, my child would have extra limbs and no face, What to Expect... reminded me how minute the chances actually were. When the my overly clinical other books...more
This book got me through my pregnancy. Period.
I wasn't overwhelmed by the amount of information; instead I found it to be the only friendly, comforting book out there. While other books were telling me that if I'd had a glass of wine before I knew I was pregnant, my child would have extra limbs and no face, What to Expect... reminded me how minute the chances actually were. When the my overly clinical other books...more
I read this book when I was pregnant with my son (who's almost 10! Time flying, etc.) I know it's popular to slam this book, but it was a vast improvement over the books that came before it. As long as you ignore the diet advice (hey, I usually do!). Still, it had good solid advice and I liked it fine. It was a bit of a ground-breaker for books that came after it, so I don't know that I would say it is even close to the best information around now. Lots of better information available online,...more
It felt to me like this book is out to scare moms-to-be. Instead of celebrating how normal many of our pregnancy changes are, this book makes you question any weight gain (hello, we're growing babies here! They weigh alot!)and can often take a hectoring tone. I don't think ladies need that. Check out any of the other fine pregnancy and labor books out there by Sears, Gaskin, Kitzinger, Simkin, England and others.
My pregnancy bible!
This book has a mixed reaction from moms--some feel that it can be too strict at times in terms of diet and exercise. However, I really enjoyed the book and took the pregnancy diet tips as tips, not ultimatiums. As a first-time mom, this book had helpful question and answer sections for each month that encouraged me.
What to Expect answers questions such as what to watch out for when you are pregnant, tips for buying a layette set and how to help you and your husband bond with the ne...more
What to Expect answers questions such as what to watch out for when you are pregnant, tips for buying a layette set and how to help you and your husband bond with the ne...more
I found this book to be a good place to start. I greatly enjoy the research and information-gathering process, so this book presented a jumping-off point for me in my quest to arm myself with knowledge about my pregnancy and birthing options.
Overall, I found "Expecting" to be:
- user friendly
- easy to read
- clearly laid out
- thorough
- fairly moderate & inclusive in its opinions & advice
Was this book my only resource during pregnancy...more
Overall, I found "Expecting" to be:
- user friendly
- easy to read
- clearly laid out
- thorough
- fairly moderate & inclusive in its opinions & advice
Was this book my only resource during pregnancy...more
How can you complain about too much information? This book was great, practical and reassuring. The index had most every topic I could think of. However, the version I read needed an update on epidurals since it didn't recognize that many women today have them during childbirth.
It does have diet guidelines that are healthy goals. I personally didn't follow them but they might be useful for someone who thinks that it is ok to gorge on whatever you want just because of being pregnant.
It does have diet guidelines that are healthy goals. I personally didn't follow them but they might be useful for someone who thinks that it is ok to gorge on whatever you want just because of being pregnant.
I know there are a number of pregnant women who swear by this book series, but this book just opened up a whole lot of insecurities for me. During my two pregnancies, I found a lot more useful resources with a less condescending tone. When I read this book, I thought it was loaded with good information, but I also felt like I was the most irresponsible pregnant woman when I couldn't do what the authors mandated.
Needleroozer
rated it
·
review of another edition
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review of another edition
Recommends it for:
NO ONE!
Shelves:
pregnancy-birth-abortion
Avoid this book at all costs!
It infantilizes pregnant women and tells them to just go along with whatever the doctor says they should do. I also remember it being very hetero-normative.
A much better book is The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger.
The only thing What to Expect When You're Expecting is good for is starting a fire to keep the expectant mother warm.
It infantilizes pregnant women and tells them to just go along with whatever the doctor says they should do. I also remember it being very hetero-normative.
A much better book is The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger.
The only thing What to Expect When You're Expecting is good for is starting a fire to keep the expectant mother warm.
Once I got past the terrible, frumpalicious Mom in loafers cover art, I found this book both helpful and horrifying in almost equal measures. Although the ending was totally predictable(9 months then baby? Yawn.), I was still shocked by it. They really had me hoping up til the very end that there was some other way for that baby to get out.
Talk about your guilt trips! I know this is a popular gift to give someone who is expecting a baby and it does contain some useful info. but it does seem like the Martha Stewart approach to child rearing. Inpractical for most of us mortals.
Too alarmist for my taste. According to this book pretty much everything you do while pregnant will hurt your baby. Not for me!
I read the first edition all the way through when I was pregnant with my first son in 1992-93. Since I don't really remember that far back, I don't know what the differences are between the first and third editions. But, the third is the one I own now and used during my third pregnancy in 2007.
It was fun to read the month-to-month chapters and figure out what the baby might look like and how big he was.
This is a wonderful reference guide to answer many questions you may have du...more
It was fun to read the month-to-month chapters and figure out what the baby might look like and how big he was.
This is a wonderful reference guide to answer many questions you may have du...more
This was not my favorite pregnancy book. I found the book to be overly concerned with a few pregnancy related problems (diet, gas, gaining too much weight). I had none of these problems or worries. The book didn't have nearly enough scientific information about the development of the growing baby. It was very focused on pregnancy related problems. In summary, if you feel you have to read it because everyone reads the "what to expect" books, fine, but, please don't make this the only bo...more
Apparently, not many people like this one. I think it's a great book! It does cover anything you'd want to know about pregnancy, the testing they do, etc. I know most people find the diet harsh, but honestly, with my second baby, I'm much more concerned with what I'm eating and I find it easy to follow. Yes, there is a lot of info, but you don't have to think "this is in the book, so it will happen to me!" In most cases, when they discuss odd things, they tell you who is most at risk. ...more
There's much better out there, and I didn't appreciate the condescending tones present some of the time. Perhaps it was meant as reassuring. I was also annoyed by the author making sure to let you know it's called labor because it's hard work. Actually, labor isn't always about work. Mine wasn't until about 30 minutes of it. They said it was a mild discomfort (not in every case certainly) Labor isn't hard work, it's sometimes hard pain but there's nothing to be condescending about. Also, almost ...more
I wish I read the postpartum section of this book before birthing the boy so that things like getting crazy night sweats didn't take me by such surprise...
I know that LDD is going to just love that I'm reading this book "written by fascists," but hear me out: first, it's been updated and revised so I don't think it's as preachy as you remember it being, and second, I'm reading "Exploiting My Baby" by Teresa Strasser to balance it out (Strasser calls Nancy O'Dell a "...more
I know that LDD is going to just love that I'm reading this book "written by fascists," but hear me out: first, it's been updated and revised so I don't think it's as preachy as you remember it being, and second, I'm reading "Exploiting My Baby" by Teresa Strasser to balance it out (Strasser calls Nancy O'Dell a "...more
This is the book everyone seems to grab when they are pregnant, and while it does have some good info on development for each month, it is definitely not my first choice for preparing a woman for what will happen in pregnancy and childbirth. It is very medically oriented, with plenty of material to scare an expecting mom. I would recommend books that lean toward natural options, preparing to have a peaceful and positive birthing experience, and helping the mother to gain confidence as she prep...more
What to Expect When You’re Expecting was recommended to me several times, and many people consider it the ultimate book on pregnancy. (Judging from the Amazon reviews, many other people hate it with a passion.) Personally, I thought it was so-so. The book lays out a lot of information that pregnant women will find useful; however, gleaning the wheat from among the chaff* is perhaps a bit more work than it’s worth.
I’m generally a worrywart, so while pregnant, I did my best not to wor...more
I’m generally a worrywart, so while pregnant, I did my best not to wor...more
It is unfortunate that sometimes no one tells us we are bad at something, and then we bumble on through life thinking we are good at it. That's what's happened to Heidi Murkoff, who is a terrible writer laboring under the delusion that she is a good write and comedic to boot. This book has somehow managed to attain status as some kind of pregnancy bible, but in reality it is an unbearable slog through every worst case scenario any expectant parents could ever hope to avoid. The author looks down...more
Personally, this book was VERY handy to have on hand for all three of my pregnancies, including the miscarriage! Like a few other readers, I didn't take any of the dietary suggestions in this book as requirements, as much as tips and suggestions. Yes, since I actually TRUST my doctor, I listened to what he had to say and usually went with his suggestions. He has a degree and has spent decades delivering babies. I have experienced three pregnancies. He's got me beat by a long-shot.
As f...more
As f...more
Kelly (happyklamb10)
rated it
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review of another edition
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review of another edition
Shelves:
nonfiction,
pregnancy-motherhood-baby
When I first got the positive pregnancy test, I bought this book, along with Your Pregnancy Week by Week, and the Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy. Within a few weeks, I was back at Borders (without a receipt) coaxing them into letting me return this one. (They did, hurrah!) It's just so steeped in the negative and the alarmist. For someone like myself that comes up with enough anxieties on her own, this book is not a welcome addition to my reading. I want helpful information, not something ...more
Well, some of my goodreads friends may think (and I wouldn't blame them) that pregnancy has made me completely illiterate, so it's about time I caught up with my updates. It's true, between doing baby registry research, diaper research, birth research, and driving to work for the past three months instead of taking public transit, I've had much less time to read than before, but I suppose that's just preparation for the busy time to come. In any case, on to the reviews...
Starting wi...more
Starting wi...more
My doctor recommended this book, but I had misgivings because I also saw it on someone's "Books I Wish I Hadn't Read" list. Anyway, when I found it at a second hand store I bought it cheaply and read it.
There were a few sections that would help guide you through some panicky situations, like "I'm alone, I'm in labour and it is happening really fast". Having those lists makes me feel more prepared which is nice. However, overall the book was repetitive and it made ...more
There were a few sections that would help guide you through some panicky situations, like "I'm alone, I'm in labour and it is happening really fast". Having those lists makes me feel more prepared which is nice. However, overall the book was repetitive and it made ...more
I recently had the sad experience of seeing a friend who is intelligent, talented, and confident turn into a neurotic, paranoid, insecure wreck because of this awful book. I read it years ago while awaiting a friend's new arrival and perused it again for about 10 seconds in the bookstore when I myself was expecting. It is the most stomach-churning example thinkable of American national superiority blended with emotional abuse couched as confidence and support. (The brand even features a handm...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| anyone else think this book is out to scare?? | 13 | 91 | Aug 24, 2011 08:47pm |
Readers Also Enjoyed
Heidi Murkoff is the author of the What to Expect® series and author of Eating Well When You're Expecting, The What to Expect Pregnancy Journal & Organizer, What to Expect the First Year, The What to Expect Baby-Sitter's Handbook, and the What to Expect Kids series from HarperCollins. Her interactive website is www.whattoexpect.com, and she lives with her family in Los Angeles, California.
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