Rating: 
Summary: Informative
Review: Like many, this was the first book I went out and bought when I found out I was pregnant. I didn't read any reviews on the book beforehand and was a little shocked at some of the reviews I've read since then. I've waited to review this book until I got substantially into it. So far I've read from the front cover all the way up through the 6th month. I've found the book to be very informative. I've found the Q&As it has for each month to be helpful in some cases. Sure, some of these don't pertain to me, and some of them do seem a little out there, but we're all different and I assume the authors are trying to reach out to various audiences. Typically I read ahead about a month so if my readings prompt any questions, I can have a list of questions ready for my doctor. I also found the information on child-birthing classes very informative. All this info was presented in the 6th month chapter (right about when you should really start getting involved in that stuff). It gave a brief synopsis on the different types of classes, what you can expect, and even references to find out more about certain type of classes or how to find a class in your area. Very helpful!
Further ahead in the book there's a "what to do" if you end up having to deliver the baby yourself. Most people probably won't need that but it's nice to know that it's there if you do. Obviously not a substitute for a doctor, but better than doing it blind. There's also chapters on labor and delivery and postpartum topics. Like some others have stated in their reviews, some topics deal with rarities that may evoke paranoia in some, but I'd rather be prepared knowing the warning signs of some stuff. So far the only downside I've found to this book has to do with the way that they present the progression of the baby's growth. They list what's happening in the beginning of each month chapter but don't say when during the month you can expect it. With the rapid growth of the baby, a couple weeks can make a big difference. Overall, I've found this to be a valuable reference book, however I wouldn't make this your only book.
Rating: 
Summary: The Best-Odds Diet is enough to send me packing
Review: The rigid Best-Odds Diet advice must have been formulated to make every woman feel like a cow with no willpower. No bagels, even? Give me a break? It is way too rigid and makes it sound like you won't ever enjoy life again now that you're "expecting." A little common sense goes a long way, I figure. Feels like such an 80's book to me.
Rating:
Summary: One of my two essential pregnancy books
Review: I loved this book and together with the book, "Your Pregnancy Week by Week", I felt I was well armed in pregnancy. Although this book scared and worried some readers, I think it gave an overview of any of the situations that can happen during pregnancy. It is not to worry you but to inform you. If you want to belive that all pregnancies are fun and easy and turn out well, I wouldn't read this book. But this book is very realistic and incredibly informative. It covers everything you should and shouldn't do and what you should expect, hence the title. My only complaint is that the authors are a bit extreme on some topics such as nutrition. It is by far the best general pregnancy book out there.
Rating: 
Summary: Alternate Title: Everything You've Done Will Harm Your Baby
Review: This book had me upset from pre-conception to post-miscarriage. After losing my first baby I came home from the hospital and literally threw this book across the room, next stop was the garbage can. I have never been so paraniod in my life as when I read this book. Do yourself a favor and read "The Girlfriend's Guide To Pregnancy" (Iovine) or "The Pregnancy Book" (Sears). Although I'm mostly joking when I say this..I think the stress from the "What To Expect..." book was the cause of my miscarriage.
Rating: 
Summary: Not exactly what I was looking for
Review: I wanted a more hands-on, step-by-step guide to pregnancy. While the question/answer format was alright, it left me wondering about a multitude of other problems that might arise. I would have prefered a more guided reading.
Rating:
Summary: What To Expect When You're Expecting
Review: I got this book when pregnant for the first time. That pregnancy ended in miscarriage--a lot of these reviews mention that the book is not helpful or misleading when dealing with miscarriage symptoms/dignosis--but miscarriage is very mysterious, and no book can cover all possible miscarriage situations, that's what your Dr. is for .
Now that I'm pregnant again, I find this book helpful as a reference for symptoms and very thorough in covering what to expect in labor.
I don't agree with their preachy approach to pregnancy eating--even when they say you can cheat, they recommend a "muffin flavored with natural fruit juice..." Come on! Pregnancy is hard enough without denying yourself occasional cookies or ice cream. The implication that every bite of junk food you eat could be harmful to your baby is over the top and unrealistic.
I recommend it as a reference for how you may be feeling during pregnancy, physically and mentally, as it's been very accurate in my case, but some of the advice is a bit too rigid for me.
Rating:
Summary: What to Expect when You're Miscarrying
Review: DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!
The author's approach of instilling fear in the reader in the early chapters of the book (which happened to be the early stages of my pregnancy) is, in my opinion, unhealthy. For the first several weeks of my pregnancy I thought I was going to lose my baby as a result of reading this book. When I went to my doctor practically in tears thinking something had to be wrong, she suggested I throw the book away. Several other patients had the same fears as a result of this title.
As far as being a resource, I found nothing useful in this book that wasn't in free published material given to me at the doctors office.
Rating:
Summary: what to expect when you listen to others more than yourself
Review: If you want to know what to expect if you are a sheep-like worrier who focuses on things that could go wrong rather than enjoying and understanding what is going right, and you like the idea of the biggest emotional and spiritual experience of your life boiled down to some fun 'n' handy bulleted lists about how other people will run your pregnancy and delivery, this book is for you! If, on the other hand, you believe (no, I mean REALLY believe, not just pay lip-service to) the idea that pregnancy and childbirth are not illnesses that need to be treated with neurotic concern, I recommend you look elsewhere--the Sears's books are a good start. The thing I found most important in pregnancy and young motherhood was listening to my own body and mind--basically the opposite of the WTEWYE emphasis on "expert advice" (in quotes because much of the info is not even backed by current research) and a long list of "shoulds" and "musn'ts." This book, which is trying to be so warm and fuzzy, so 'reassuring'--is just a pat on your pretty li'l head when you are actually looking for solid information. good luck and don't panic!
Rating: 
Summary: A comforting companion
Review: This is my first pregnancy and I bought this book after reading two other pregnancy books. This is definetely my favorite. The tone is less alarmist and more "everything will be all right" (because, chances are, it will be). There's plenty of information and the format is easy to follow. I highly recommend this book. There's a reason it's been around for so long.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Pregnancy Book By Far
Review: When we got pregnant, we bought and read something like 15 books. This one was the best by far. I can think of at least three reasons this book has sold so many copies. 1> It's professional. A lot of books try too hard to be funny or cute. WTE is not humorless, but it deals with subject matter in a refreshingly straightforward way. The advice and help given echoes what our doctors have said and, in fact, answered most of our questions before we even saw our Obstetritian (no, it's not a substitute). It is quite astounding how many pregnancy books are written by fashion magazine editors or talk show writers; they sound exactly like they were written for a fashion magazine or talk show. 2> It's complete. Got a question about diet, medication, flu shots, cat ownership, false labor, vitamin supplements, cramps, ultrasound, breastfeeding or how to judge your OB/GYN? It's in here, along with tons of other stuff we didn't think about until we came across it here. Just about every pregnancy book and magazine uses the "What Nobody Will Tell You" tagline. Once you've read this book, there will be very few surprises left. There isn't a topic that isn't touched on and most are covered in depth. That's not to say this is the only book you need, but it goes a long, long way. 3> It isn't judgemental. There are a ton of books out there that are weight obsessed, make assumptions about single parents, and/or skirt some issues that some consider controversal. This book assumes you can make up your own mind once you're presented with all the information. I'm thinking specifically about the decision to have amniocentesis our geneticist said it was "a good idea but not necessary" and OB/GYN said "there were risks but it is not a bad idea". This book wasn't a replacement for our doctors, but it gave us a lot of really useful information without taking a side. --- Like I said, there are a ton of pregnancy books out there. Just about all of the ones we read were redundant when we held it up next to WTE. And it's pretty shocking how many pregnancy books we found to be completly WORTHLESS! I don't want to name names, and I've already written a couple of negative reviews, but I'm thinking particularly of the ones full of Erma Bombeck-esque anecdotes about La Maz classes, the "staying chic while you're pregnant" fashion mag type, the old-fashioned preachy church lady books, or--worst of all--the "nutrition" books that focused almost entirely on weight. Some of these books are written by people with no medical qualifications at all! My advice is to feel free to pick up one of those books if you're looking for some comic relief or if your specific pregnancy may need a supplement (I'm thinking specifically of things like fertility problems, or problem pregnancies; WTE gives a lot of good information on this stuff, but might not be enough). Either way, BUY THIS BOOK!! Even if you're not pregnant yet, you're missing out on an excellent reference if you don't. - - - As an aside, I was pretty shocked to read the reviews that complained about WTE containing a lot of information on rare pregnancy situations, saying that such information was "scary" and "unnecessary". WTE gives plenty of information on what is serious as opposed to what is a false alarm. Nobody PLANS on having a troubled pregnancy, aren't you better off knowing what's involved and how to detect and prevent such things? I suppose for some people ignorance is bliss, but I'm MUCH happier being prepared. What To Expect While You're Expecting isn't the only useful pregnancy book out there, but it is the best and it will be the standard for years to come.
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