Rating: 
Summary: The Scary Book
Review: PLease, please heed everyone else's advice and look into other books--there are so many other great ones out there! Thsi book is enough to panic any newly pregnant woman--I read it shortly after finding out I was pregnant and it scared me horribly--my two close friends who are also pregnant/new mothers and I refer to it as "the Scary book." Anyway, I met with a prenatal consultant at my hospital who said she absolutely does not recommed this book and cannot understand why it continues to sell so well-- call your doctor or prenatal support at your hospital and ask for recommedations. I love the Girlfriends Guide and even Pregnancy for dummies! My husband also really likes the Expectant Father book. Anyway, good luck to everyone and healthy pregnancies!
Rating: 
Summary: not too bad
Review: It's not too hot for first time moms, but it's not too bad once you've had a couple of children. It did scare me the first time and I just knew that I would eat, do and sleep the wrong way for the first baby. My fear of becoming a fatty patty was driving my husband nuts as well as myself. But after a few babies (2) I picked it up one day and looked it over again and thought - hey now this makes a little more sense. What I wished I would have done while I was pregnant with my first child was to read other books to prepare me for the toddler stage while I still had the time. The first year really passes quickly and then there's no time left. Do yourself a favor, read a variety of books on pregnancy, and then go directly to the toddler and preschooler books as almost all have a little on babies anyway (or at least for the first year). My favorites are: The Everything Baby's First Year Food Book, by Janet Mason Tarlov (this one is pretty new), What to Expect With Your Toddler, and Mommy-CEO, Revised Edition (lots of tips and fun topics on family life)by Jodie Lynn. They are all great books to have around and are easy to read and easy to follow. If I had it to do over again, I'd read at least the last two before baby comes and be better prepared before life becomes nuts with family.
Rating: 
Summary: Call me crazy!
Review: Call me crazy ... but I really liked this book. Initially, I didn't buy it because the reviews were so negative on Amazon.com. Alot of people thought it was alarmist, so I bought the "Girlfriend's Guide" instead, which got great reviews. Boy, was I sorry."What to Expect..." is full of what I would call good, sound, medical advice and is very comprehensive. I didn't find it alarmist in nature at all. For example, the section on miscarriages struck me as simply giving sensible information about this very difficult and emotionally wrenching issue. It is not a pleasant issue to be sure, but pregnant women need to know the signs, symptoms, and what to do. So I feel more knowledgeable, but certainly not more alarmed. After all, leaving the issue out of the book does not make it go away. As a 38-year-old who is pregnant for the first time, I need solid information in an understandable format. And this is what "What to Expect..." provides. A humorous, personal approach (like "Girlfriend's Guide...) just doesn't do it for me right now. This book has been criticized as looking like it's organized by month, but not really being so. I think the authors tried to put topics in the month they were most appropriate. But everyone is different and the items that are generally relevant for month 3 might be more relevant for YOU in month 1. That's OK. JUST LOOK IN THE INDEX IF YOU WANT YOU FIND INFO ABOUT A SPECIFIC TOPIC! That's what I did -- and it was a cinch. The index is fabulous and it's very easy to find what you need, even if it isn't in the "right month" for you. This is hardly a fatal flaw of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Skip this book
Review: I bought this during my first pregnancy and really regretted it! It has a thoroughly negative outlook on pregnancy and birth (i.e. what 'could' go wrong)This book gave me the feeling I would have lots of (unneccesary) interventions- IV, episiotomy, epidural,etc. in birth. This is the perfect hypochondriac's directory --you think you have all the ailments described in the book after reading about all the very commonplace symptoms fo pregnany. This book doesn't begin to address natural childbirth or complementary healthcare. Buy "Gentle Birth Choices" by Barbara Harper and "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" by LLL and anything by Sheila Kitzinger for a much more postive view of pregnancy and birth.
Rating:
Summary: I wish I read the reviews before I bought this book
Review: Being a first time mother, I practically grabbed this book off the shelf, when I first saw it. I should have known better and did some reviewing here. I would not recommend this book to anyone at all. It's so frighteningly STRICT! I think I would have failed in most aspects...and it was difficult to refer to. It's now used as a paperweight.
Rating:
Summary: VERY DEPRESSING
Review: I thought this book was horrible. I was so surprised that it is so popular. All it talks about it possible problems. You get to page 10 and your a stress ball.
Not to mention, a lot of the information is WRONG.
In summary, the book is very depressing, scares you, makes you think that you'll never get through your pregnancy and has inaccurate information.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I had mixed feelings when I originally saw the reviews on this site, however, I purchased the book anyways. This is my third pregnancy and I just wanted to learn a little more about all the options and numerous tests I have been taking, and learn anything that is new from the last pregnancy. This book took care of all that for me, and gave me things to watch out for... with the strong statement that if I do notice these symptoms, they could be nothing... better safe than sorry, and check them out. I was happy to see the features that described all the different labor techniques, emergencies, choices, and more. I didn't find this book frightening, as some of the other reviewers did. Perhaps because I've had other children. Nevertheless, I think it is an excellent book and reference book for the ever changing topic of pregnancy. What others need to understand is that while childbirth and pregnancy is a natural event, there are still some dangers involved and it's important to know about them, and know the symptoms, as well as know how to take care of yourself during your pregnancy. Don't let this book scare you, if you are not the kind of person that likes to know your risks, than don't read this book. If you are a person that likes to take control of your pregnancy, knowing the risks and rewards, and understanding every aspect of your pregnancy and body changes, than this book is perfect for you. It all comes down to how much information you really want. Also, this book is not all about the risks... there is much information about the joys and wonderful experiences of pregnancy, as well. Take this information into consideration and make your own choice. The mixture of these reviews varies tremendously, from one star ratings to five, and the reason is the level of knowledge some of these people want to know about. Pregnancy is a joyous moment, and if you cannot learn the risks and still be happy throughout your pregnancy, select a doctor that will take over your worrying, and tell you only what you need to know. Otherwise, I believe this book to be very thorough and comprehensive.
Rating:
Summary: It's not all it's cracked up to be!
Review: I bought this book because I kept hearing about how GREAT it was and how informative it was, but I found it to be kind of boring. It's suppose to go by how many weeks/months along you are, and tell you what to expect, but I found it to kind of jump from question to question, not focusing on certain topics. I can't return the book, but I might sell it!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK
Review: Great help, found everything I needed in every stage!!!
Rating: 
Summary: I agree with Closis ...
Review: I also believe that "Girlfriends guide" and "Babytales" as well as the " The Baby book" are better choices. Who do they think they are talking to their readers like we are stupid. Not to mention most of us are scared Our first time around and "what to expect when expecting" does everything in its power to make us feel worst. What I'm expecting when I'm expecting is not to buy or recieve this book.
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