What to Expect When You're Expecting: 4th Edition by Heidi Murkoff, Sharon Mazel Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of What to Expect When You're Expecting: 4th Edition
Book Review: Surprisingly good
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought a few books the months after we found out that my wife was pregnant. Initially i stayed away from this book, because even though the reviews were pretty good, i was really turned off by the look/design of the book, especially in the previous editions, with the image of the depressed, near suicidal woman wistfully looking out into space (that really didn't sell this whole pregnancy thing to us!). I know it sounds shallow, but stuff like design does make an impression.
Anyway, We bought two other books: The complete book of pregnancy (recommended by our mid wife - a bit too hippy dippy for my taste, but okay) and The Mother of All Pregnancy Books (also okay, but it really didn't follow a cohesive chronology of pregnancy).
Then, I found out this book was out with a new edition (and new cover design to boot!) and purchased it. It's been a great help. We love reading the month to month rundown of things, it contains some excellent chapters on various problems and questions that arise while you go thru the many months until delivery.
The drawbacks are very few. One was what we found to be the same with many of these books, that fathers are pretty much treated as an afterthought. Granted we're not the ones who have to carry the baby and deal with all that come with itt, but we are still along for the ride and most of us want to be. To be fair this book has one "dad" chapter, which was pretty good.
If you're interested in that aspect of it, I'd highly recommend The Expectant Father book, which is very thorough and insightful.
The other drawback is how little there is about the delivery and labour part of pregnancy. Again, something we've found to be very little info on (especially for us novices). I was given the book The Best Birth, which deals with that and only that topic. Very much worth a read.
Long review, but i hope it helps people.
Book Review: Practical, Calming, Comprehensive Resource
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my first pregnancy, so I didn't read the previous editions. But from what I can gather, this one is truly revised and revamped. I think the "Cover Mom" illustration - standing and in maternity jeans instead of sitting in a rocker in a pregnancy mumu-like top - says a lot about the differences between the older versions and this one, from the way it deals with contemporary issues to its voice and tone.
I've had a different experience from the reviewers who suggest that it makes people anxious. What I've found is that it covers just about every topic I've thought to ask questions about so far, and typically answers them with something that makes me feel normal and *not* worried for experiencing that feeling or issue. Yet it's very clear when you should be concerned, so that you know the difference between something normal and when you should take action. It also does all this in a way that doesn't make you feel bad for calling your practitioner to double-check. I like that it's written in small sections, so that you can read and/or use the index to individualize the reading experience to be targeted to what you are experiencing. The advice feels realistic and practical for the most part. My husband also enjoys checking out the week-by-week guides as well as reading up on any issues that I'm experiencing. There is also some content in there just for him as a Dad.
This edition also appears to have much of the content that the Girlfriend's Guide has that might feel embarrassing or awkward to talk about with your practitioner, but with a much more positive and objective tone (the Girlfriend's Guide was too sarcastic/negative for me). It also made me feel more confident to ask my practitioner a few of those questions since I knew that I wasn't alone in feeling that way and also knew that I wasn't the first to ask.
If you want extra details on a particular topic, you might need to get a topic-specific book. But this one has given me the detail-level I need on just about every topic so far, and the language to "ask the right questions" to get more information about the topics I need more depth on.
So, for folks who read the previous editions and didn't care for them, I would say that it would be worth borrowing or having a look at this one to see if it fits your needs this time around. And since pregnancy is different for every person, it does help to have a look out there and find the tone and information presentation that works best for you. This one does fit well for me, and has kept me and my husband calm, having good attitudes and feeling well-informed.
Book Review: Scare Tactics.... Read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth instead!
Summary: 1 Stars
I am a midwife and so many of my clients complain that this book is disempowering and scary. This book may match the mainstream maternity care system that is quickly spiraling downward in America. In the city where I live there is a 38.5% C-section rate. Of course, there is a place for C-Sections. Of course, there can always be comlications, but remember that your body was built to do this! As a new mother, please do your research before choosing how to birth your baby. Read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to a better birth. Read anything by Sheila Kitzinger. Read books by Marsden Wagner and Robbie Davis-Floyd. Be sure to watch the new movie "The Business of Being Born" by Ricki Lake.
This book is the one book that midwives love to hate : )
Book Review: what to expect when youre expecting
Summary: 5 Stars
I had the second edition with my last pregnancy. I had to get this one. it is great.
Book Review: Learning Experience
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is a really good book for any women and or dads that are expecting and i would reccomend it to anyone.