Rating: 
Summary: Know your options,make informed decisions,read another book
Review: This book gives the basics for what will go on, but lacks greatly if you want to know the WHY for some procedures and what your options are. This book I got the feeling was written to create good patients, and keep people ignorent to the great options out there when it comes to childbirth. When speaking highly of c-sections and pain killing options, it lacked a great deal of facts and I feel even hides some very important research. When speaking of "natural" options such as home and water birth, this auther just does not know her stuff. She either did not research before writing this book, or she is trying to down right perswade people to stay in the tipicle docter's office and hospitals for chilbirth. I agree with one coment that this book was written on a 5th grade level. For what the auther expects it's reader to be able to comprehend that is. It's Books like these that keep people ignorent. In my opinion, if you read this book and only this book, you have chosen to go along with the crowed, like sheep, and have turned your back on some possible options for your baby that could be life changing. To me, this book is for the lazy person. You have to ask yourself, is my baby, and myself for that mater worth more research. I recomend The complete Book of Pregnacy and Childbirth by Kitzinger. While she is more for the natural childbirth experience, her book can prepare you for either hospital or home birth. She provides facts based on research that enable the mother and father to make informed choices during prenatal care and childbirth. Even if you want a traditional birthing experience in the hospital, with an episiotomy, and epidural, at least you will be quite aware of what the procedures are and the pros and cons. That's what this is all about, looking at the pros and cons. There is no doupt that all procedures are at some point needed, but we must understand all the routine procedures, and know that they can be naggative as well as posative. What to expect when you're expecting does not list in extent if at all, the cons to anything the auther is promoting, where as a well written book on pregnacy will inform you with fact and research to back it up, on both sides of every option and procedure. I wouldn't even recomend only reading Kitzingers book, I would recomend using it as your main guide, as well as taking a trip to the local library to really research and get an idea of fact verses fiction, and truth verses untruth, and some authers opinions verses compiled information based on years of experience. Find a book written by someone who has experience on both sides of the coin. Me? I had my first child at age nineteen at home and had all prenatal care and delivery done by a lay midwife. When going into that pregnacy, I planned on a tipical docter and hospital delivery, until I went to the library that is. I am eight months pregnant with my second, and I am with the same midwife who is now certified by the state of California, and the best midwife in the Palm Springs area (according to not only me, but a front page article in our local news paper). My husband and I are so thankful for books that are written to inform people not conform them. There was a red flag that went up about a month ago that made us all think I might end up in the hospital for this one, and I can say, that while I still prefer my own bed, I'd be ok with whatever happens, because I am well informed and prepared for both sides of the coin. I read more then What to expect when you're expecting! I have two older cousins, one who delivered naturaly in water, and the other who was two months premature with as much "hospital" as you and a baby could experience, and both would agree that while they both felt equally safest in there delivery enviroment, one needs to read more then What to expect while you're expecting.I sort of wrote more then I had planned, and typed to fast. So, please excuse typos and spelling errors. :)
Rating: 
Summary: What to expect when expecting
Review: What are the precautions of losing your mucus plug?
Rating:
Summary: Biased and Condescending
Review: I am SO glad that I read this book at a friend's house! It kept me from spending the money on something that would have gone straight into the trash can anyway. This book is biased toward the "trust your doctor and the hospital blindly, no matter what insane procedures and interventions they want you to have" context, instead of listing and going over the pros and cons of every option, such as hospitals, birth centers, homebirth, pain meds versus natural childbirth, waterbirth, the Leboyer method, etc. Actually, she does mention home and water births briefly, but only to basically say that you shouldn't have either one. She actually says that you shouldn't have a waterbirth because of the risk of the baby drowning. I admit, when I first heard about waterbirth a few years ago, I thought the same thing, but now that I know more about the mechanics of birth and have seen and heard of many a safe, joyous waterbirth, my mind has been changed. The risk of the baby drowning is practically nil, and it's probably a lot safer for a baby to be gently born in a tub of warm water in a dimly-lit room and being handed right to the mother instead of being yanked by the head into bright flourescent lights with a pair of salad tongs and slammed onto a cold, metal scale. I'll bet Ms. Aisenberg didn't even do any research on the safety of waterbirth. It just differed too much from what she considers a "normal" birth, so it must be wrong, in her eyes. She also flat out says that a lay midwife will not give you optimal care, but doesn't even go on to say why she believes that. (Personally, I think a lot of lay midwives have more brains than OB doctors when it comes to the physiology and mechanics of birth. At least they aren't ruled by fear like many OBs are.) She makes you feel like you are selfish if you want to labor walking around instead of hooked up to an EFM for hours, as if you dare to step out of that belt for even a second, your baby will surely shrivel up and die and it'll be all your fault. And she DOES mention the increasing C-section rate, but get this, she decries people who point out that bad medicine causes high C-section rates, and actually says that it is because of GOOD medicine that more C-sections are performed. Anyone who truly believes that 1 in 4 women cannot give birth the way God intended is insane. Period. In 1970, the C-section rate was 1 in 20, and the infant and maternal mortality rates then aren't much different from the ones now. And countries with LOW C-section rates actually have some of the LOWEST infant and maternal mortality rates in the world. What does that tell you? Obviously, there are very serious risks to having a C-section, but Ms. Aisenberg would rather not cover them. She'd rather just present a C-section as an alternative way for a baby to be delivered, and not as an emergency procedure to be used as a last resort and only when absolutely necessary. (A C-section is MAJOR ABDOMINAL SURGERY, by the way. You wouldn't think so from reading Ms. Aisenberg's presentation of it.) First-time mothers, please, please, PLEASE leave this book on the shelf. The only reason that everyone buys it is because it has the catchiest title. If you are a first-time mother (like I am hoping to be soon), and you TRULY want to know ALL your options as far as birth goes, such as hospital birth, birth centers, homebirth, waterbirth, doctors versus midwives, pain meds versus natural birth methods, prenatal testing such as ultrasound and amniocentesis as well as the honest truth about the risks and benefits of each choice and procedure, get "The Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Birth" by Sheila Kitzinger. She has great details, and I thought that she was very unbiased. She also talks to you like you are a competent adult capable of making informed decisions. Another good book is Dr. Sears "The Birth Book". Do yourself a favor. Stay away from this book. Pregnancy is not a disease (for most people), and childbirth is not a big disaster waiting to happen (95% of all births progress normally, IF you don't intervene with them). Enjoy your pregnancy, and the birth of your baby.
Rating:
Summary: The Worst Guide To Birth Ever Written
Review: This book should be burned and never reprinted. If you ever get this for a shower present, gracefully accept and then burn it! The info in this book tries to undermine the natural ability of women to give birth and plays into the fear factor of first time moms. It doesn't even begin to address the rising c-section rate and how each intervention brings on a higher risk of fetal death and c-section. Not to mention drug use! It tells you that you can't have drugs during pregnancy, but have a back cocktail while in labor to drug not only you but your baby. If you are not scared of your body and you believe in it's strength and power to not only grow your baby inside you but birth it as well, then don't even touch this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Useful reference but tends to be unrealistic
Review: I was given this book by a friend and in the early weeks of pregnancy found it useful. However, the sections on healthy eating - the Best Odds Diet - can leave you feeling anxious and that you are failing. The authors gloss over the fact that many women suffer sickness that makes any eating almost impossible and the Best Odds Diet a joke! A section on how to deal with morning sickness and nutrition before giving lists of foods that you must eat, would reassure women who struggle to eat anything, let alone a Daily Dozen. Buy this book and use it for reference, but read lots of other books alongside.
Rating:
Summary: Saved my life....
Review: I can credit this book with actually saving my life. I understand how the "What could go wrong" section could scare you if you are having a normal pregnancy. I had a placental abruption at 28 weeks, and though I was very asymptomatic, the book encourages you to call your doctor if you even THINK something might be wrong. I did, and I had to have an emergency c-section. For a first time mom, the experience was very scary, but if I hadn't had a book that looked at what may go wrong in 1% of pregnancies, I would have died. It's definately not the be-all and end-all of pregnancy books, but I found it to be very informative and helpful.
Rating:
Summary: A great companion!
Review: This book gives you an expansive breath of knowledge related to all facets of pregnancy. Providing woman with the clinical knowledge they need, this book allows women to be "on top of their care." I especially appreciate hearing about the experiences of other women. I also enjoy the "Best Odds Recipes"-the virgin sangria is festive and delicious. We all need to treat ourselves to this book. A great companion for this book if I must say so myself is: Today's Woman... Prenatal Care And Beyond. These two books need to be in every woman's pregnancy library. They are complimentary to each other, providing the most important nutrients of a woman's life, empowerment, nurturance, support, encouragement and "true love". Today's Woman...Prenatal Care and Beyond written by Paula Baran is also available on Amazon.com, so why not take a peek. Happy Reading!
Rating:
Summary: The book I read over and over!
Review: This is a great book for a first time pregnancy. I have found answers to nearly every question I've had. I love the month to month format. I know what to expect in advance, how to prepare for OB visits, and the questions I should ask the doctor. I pick up this book at least once a week. I love this book!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Buy!
Review: This is a great referance tool, especially for the first timer. The index is very comprehensive. Everytime I had a question I was able to find a section covering my concerns. Not a good "read" but a must have resource.
Rating: 
Summary: Good reference book, but be sure to read other books too
Review: I am expecting my fourth child and still find occasions to open up What to Expect When You're Expecting. While I have referred to What to Expect less and less with each pregnancy, I do find it to be a good reference. Topics are easy to find and I can generally find a question that relates to my concern at the time - the book is made up of questions from women and answers from the authors. Over the years, I have found many books that I like much better than What to Expect - such as The Pregnancy Book which seems to take a more modern approach to pregnancy and a book I recently read called We're Pregnant! which provides a very accurate insight into the day to day life of an expecting couple. I recommend all three - use What to Expect as a reference, The Pregnancy Book as a very informative read and We're Pregnant! to assure yourself that you are not alone in your thoughts and actions, and that you are in good company!
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