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Summary: Infantilizing Pregnant Women
Review: Pregnancy is a healthy, normal state but you wouldn't know it to read this book. It presents the things that can go wrong in pregnancy as if they were frequent occurances, and it presents obstetric interventions and practices as if they were always necessary and beneficial. It consecends to and infantilizes the pregnant women. It's tone is, basically, "be a good girl do whatever the doctor says."
Rating: 
Summary: My wife loves it
Review: I ordered this book for my wife (our doctor recommended it) and she loves it. Not only does it prepare future mothers for their physical changes, it prepares them mentally as well. We like knowing what to expect and that most pregnant women have the same experiences my wife is having. This is our first child so we aren't exactly sure what to expect, this book really helps prepare us for what's going to "happen next". The book is easy to understand and has helpful pictures as well. I would recommend it to any pregnant woman, but especially if you are having your first child.
Rating: 
Summary: it's just ok
Review: We bought this book at a Toys "R" Us store in Texas and began reading it right away. Before I got pregnant, I thought it was wonderful, but now that I am it is not all that helpful. It was in an information package I got from my doctor / midwife . . . so I could have saved myslef about (dollar amount) if I would have waited. It does not get into the specific detail. Most of it is common sence. Basicly, I was curious about a lot of things, and it did not really answer my questions accurately. It may be a nice beginning book, but it left me wanting more information.
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Summary: highly overrated--THE BIRTH BOOK By Dr.Sears is MUCH better!
Review: This book is highly overrated. I was very disappointed---it seems to need updating in many areas. If you are wanting info on natural childbirth stay far away from this book--it approaches pregnancy and birth from a very "medical" viewpoint.
Dr. Sears books....like The Birth Book is SOOO much better---It is more up to date and very unbiased.
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Summary: factual, but frightening
Review: This book is obviously written by a MD. The reason I say this is because they seem to be focused on what could go wrong. This is not a touchy feely book about the beauty of parenthood, this is a clinical description of what could happen. Most people I know that read this book were terrified. It talks about absolutely everything that could go wrong. As though I need help worrying about our child to be. I appreciate the information, but I dont want to have nightmares about it! The author states that these things are often unlikely, however the book focuses on terrible, terrible things that could happen. You will walk away from this book like a new medical student, it will seem like everyone around you has the disorder that you just read about. Needless to say this can be frightening! I admit that the information is acurate, but it is misleading in that it puts the focus on what could go wrong and not what could go right or even what you could do about it. If you dont get frightened easily you might be able to handle this book, if you are in the least bit nervous about your child then you probably dont want to use this resource. Bottom line, this book scared me more then any Stephen King novel...
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Summary: not at all what i needed
Review: This book was a big disapointment! it focuses almost entirely on the mother and nothing on the baby. The main thrust of this book is that almost anything can happen in a pregnancy, but it's nothing to cause worry...."i have morning sickness," " i don't have morning sickness" blah blah blah. I would have liked to find out what was going on with my baby, how big is it, does it have fingers yet? This book made me feel like I was gearing up for nine months of medical maladies, not a wonderful blessing. Focus on the baby, or at least mention it please!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Buy something else!!!
Review: This book was horrible. All it did was scare the crap out of me whenever I read it. Common problems such as spotting and cramping were never mentioned rather they were said to be signs of a miscarraige. Plus it only gave you info by the month. I wanted to read about my baby's progress every week, not month. It is time for this book to be retired. Please don't waste your money on this book. Buy another!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Written in the dark ages
Review: As first time parents, we had a lot of questions when we found out we were pregnant...this was the first book we bought because it came highly recommended. This book provided some good information, but was divided up month by month, which I found disappointing and not very helpful. Plus, some of the advice, topics, etc I couldn't relate to, I felt that the book was written more for earlier generations than the current one. The Best Odds Diet is a JOKE...you spend more time planning every meal than you do anything else, it just wasn't possible for me to follow all the "rules" this book set for me. After seriously distressing me with the diet and it's scary "what can go wrong" topics, I decided to put this book up back on my shelf at the advice of my doctor and mom. Skip it.
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Summary: THE PREGNANCY BIBLE!
Review: I definitely think this is THE BEST pregnancy book I have EVER READ, and trust me, I've read all of them!! All my friends agree, even their husbands and mine... It is just a wonderfully written and put together, informative, helpful, smart, special book that I trust and worship. The whole "What to Expect" series is great!! I am so happy they are out there for parents to read!
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Summary: It may actually be OK.
Review: Although I feel there were many valid points in this book, I feel as though it scares many new expectant mothers. There were several times reading the book, that a symptom that is very normal, appeared horrific and I was forced to call my doctor to question what I was feeling. I realize the book is trying to help mothers understand what is going on in their bodies, but I feel as though the book should have made more clear distinctions about what is normal and what is excessive and worrisome. It can make you a paranoid pregnant woman.
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