Rating: 
Summary: How to get Paranoid when you are expecting
Review: This book is over the limit. I would like to meet one person who actually followed the best odds diet. I bought this book first after knowing i was pregnant and until I read all these other reviews, I used to agonise that something was wrong with me because I couldnt possibly eat all that is recommended in the
"Best odds" diet. She makes it sound as though it is a crime to indulge once in a while on pizzas and a dessert. I literally
walked around the first 2 mnths with this book in my hand
while doing grocery shopping ! The other thing that drove me nuts is that there is hardly
any information on how the baby is developing etc. I am still
looking for a better book that is more down to earth...
Rating: 
Summary: What to Expect...
Review: While this is a good book to use as a point of reference, I would not suggest using it for anything else. It has a lot of worst case scenarios leaving a person who worries a lot to freak out a bit. I would only suggest this as a reference book.
Rating: 
Summary: [Very Bad]
Review: This book is horrid! It sickens me. I think I was around 5 months along when I noticed to my horror that my thighs were growing thicker. The book says to diet when this happens which is absolutely INSANE! I quit smoking when I found out I was pregnant and also had GD so I ended up being *70 lbs* over my pre-pregnancy weight when I gave birth. Fortunately the book was in the TRASH by month 6. I did, unfortuantely, read it cover to cover and I noticed the following themes:
-Pregnant women must learn how to be good patients and never question anything their docs tell them. Doctor=GOD.
-TEE HE HEE! Here's a nifty little ~for explectant fathers section **gag**~
-Eat bizarre quantities of stuff, never indulge, and become neurotic as humanly possible because it's your sexiness that is always the most important thing.
-Birth is a medical procedure. And I saw no mention (or merely a silly side note) of:
-Same sex partners as parents
-single moms
-home births or birth centers
-HIV and pregnancy
-coping with pain without epidurals
-refusing vaccinations
-midwives
-insanely high cesarian rate in most hospitals (30%)
-doulas
-water birthing
-herbs Stupid book. It is perfect if you are insipid. Otherwise do yourself a favor and buy something that wont patronise you and dismis your unique circumstances. Every birth is different. Every pregnancy is different. The only thing that you can be sure of through all of this is your own instincts and your support network. Remember this process is natural and works best when you are relaxed and happy. Try Dr. Sears's pregnancy book. And for heck's sake DO NOT MEASURE YOUR THIGHS!
Rating:
Summary: Oh Please
Review: There are 6 Billion people on the earth right now. What percentage of their mothers followed the "Best Odds Diet"? This book has some OK information. However, if you are plaqued by morning sickness as I have been for 6 months, you can't follow any diet. While I do refer to this book, I roll my eyes at other parts. I would like to see one medical study that backs up the authors' claims that if you gain weight on healthy food you will have a big healthy baby, but if you gain weight on other food you will have a small baby. The book is just OK, and I wouldn't consider it an authoritative work, as there really isn't medical back up for the statements.
Rating:
Summary: Take what you want
Review: I found this book very helpful when I was pregnant. I could find an answer to each question I had in mind (as that white fluid in the 4th or 5th month, or that glass of wine that I drank when I didn't know I was pregnant or what cerclage is). I liked also the way it explains each stage of the pregnancy.
What it's absurd is the diet they suggest. It's simply unrealistic. You can omit that and the rest of the book is great.
Rating:
Summary: This book is horrible!
Review: It is insulting to any woman with the ability to think for herself. Between the patronizing 'doctor knows best' tone and the advice that you should measure your thighs when you find out you're pregnant so you can make sure they don't expand - it's ridiculous. It hardly addresses any other birthing options, aside from medicated hospital births. Anything outside of the norm is regarded as dangerous to the mother and the baby.
This is a horribly disgusting book that does nothing more than scare or guilt a newly expectant mother into submission.
Rating: 
Summary: What to Expect When You're Expecting-2 Cassettes [Audio Cass
Review: Every new mother (or father) should have a couple of Eisenberg's books and this audio cassette tapes were such a life saver. I read the book throughout the first pregnancy and found it was a great resource to learn about becoming a mom and what to expect... I found everything I needed for the whole experiance of first weeks to the painful but wonderful birth of our first son. I felt it was such a great source that I also purchased the What to expect the first 12 months, also for sale on our link with amazon, they have this audio and the book ,... they have a journal out there (i'd sell mine but its written and you don't want that!) Seriously, I purchased this audio cassette and then received one as a shower gift, so I am keeping my gift and selling the new one I bought. I felt at that timeI knew it all, what could I learn? That is the beautiful part about this someone reads it for you, I suggest both because sometimes I want to see it in black and white so they make great pair to own. In my 2nd pregnancy 4 years later things had changed and now I know I will never stop learning and if I can pass that on to a new mom or a not so new mom 2 or 10th baby you can never be too prepared. Good luck, I hope this helps.
Rating:
Summary: guilt trip extraordinare
Review: i felt like i was repeatedly being bashed over the head: "you are a rotten mother and the baby hasn't even been born yet!" i'm working hard to be a good mother and i don't need a lot of guilt for being less than perfect. i was extremely disapointed with this book. try your pregnancy week by week for info on the baby and the girlfriend's guide for useful, REAL info on what's happening to you.
Rating:
Summary: What to Fear When You're Expecting
Review: This is positively the worst pregnancy book out there. It is condescending and alarmist about every single aspect of pregnancy, without seriously dealing with many of the common ailments (nausea, for instance). The "best odds" diet is unrealistic and unpalatable for most women with morning sickness. Every single person I know who has read this book has been made more nervous, not less, by reading it. Pregnant women would do better listening to their mother's old wives tales than reading "What to Expect".
Rating:
Summary: Not worth it unless you really enjoy paranoia
Review: I found the tone of this book condescending and sanctimonious, and the recommendations overly paranoid, as if they are afraid someone might sue them. Frequently they state that there is "no known risk" to something but then tell you not to do it anyway. That's my choice, a book should just tell me the risks or lack thereof! I have found much more balanced, sane advice in the book my OB gave me (some offical pub of the OB-GYN association). Also think they should reference weeks pregnant vs. months as no doc I know refers to months. The food info is highly paranoid. You can eat a very healthy diet and still allow yourself a treat now and then, all without putting your baby at risk!
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