Rating: 
Summary: Good basic information, ridiculous diet, judgmental.
Review: The facts about pregnancy were helpful, particularly for women experiencing few or no complications. The "Best Odds" diet is ridiculous and impossible for the average woman to follow. Because of this book, I found myself analysing what I ate at the end of the day and felt guilty because I never measured up. My OB even told me that the book was fine, but that I should just rip the diet right out of the book. The Pregnancy Book by Dr. Sears is much better.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must Have
Review: Definitely a must have for moms-to-be. As with what to expect the first year, I read it nearly every day. Saved a million calls to the doctor's office.
Rating: 
Summary: Condescending and Patronizing
Review: I believe that healthy food is good. I eat a very healthy diet. However, the authors are condescending and patronizing towards expectant mothers. They act as if we are nutritional idiots who never heard of whole wheat bread before. And if you smoke a cigarette, drink a glass of wine or a cup of coffee or fail to breastfeed, you are a murderer. Period. Truly makes me wonder how my generation ever made it into the world healthy with mothers who drank martinis, smoked, and had white bread toast for breakfast. Good advice but don't take it too literally or you'll have a miserable, guilt ridden pregnancy.
Rating:
Summary: A good reference, but somewhat preachy
Review: "What to Expect..." is considered to the bible of pregnancy books. So, the day after getting a positive home pregnancy test, I marched out to the bookstore to get it. But after reading a few chapters, I noticed the authors tone. And I didn't like it. I found the book unrealistic in its expectations of pregnant women. The diet you're supposed to eat--no processed flour, only 7 or 9 grain bread for example--isn't something a lot of women I know would want to do. I got the feeling that this book was written by a woman who drank soy milk and made her own baby food from fresh vegetables with a food processor. And that if I didn't do the same I would somehow be harming my child. Also, this book is like a lot of other pregnancy books in that it scares women in the first trimester. Every mother I know has told me that either they or their husbands put away this book for a few weeks because it was making them paranoid about miscarriage. Still, I recomm! ! end this book. Pregnant women should keep it on hand because it breaks out the changes in the mother and the baby over each month. It covers a lot of topics and answers a number of questions. Readers should, however, keep the biases of the author in mind, and not let the tone of the book make them feel guilty for not following the diet and exercise recommendations.
Rating:
Summary: Good, I'm not alone. . .
Review: This book is superb! It almost seems to anticipate every question I have about being pregnant. I have read other books, but others don't seem to be as informative. The book is realistic which is vitally important. Yes, pregnancy is a wonderful time of hopes and dreams, but complications and losses can occur. The authors help prepare you for this while still being excited about the joys of being a parent.
Rating: 
Summary: First-time mother's bible of sorts.
Review: A friend of mine lent me her copy of 'What to Expect the First Year' book when I was pregnant for the first time. I read through it carefully the first time and looked up things that could go wrong throughout the pregnancy. It overwelmed me at first. This book is for EVERY expectant mother. It covers issues from be a drug user to wondering when the first time your baby will kick. Questions you would NEVER think of asking your doctor and maybe wouldn't want to ask your doctor or friends for fear of them thinking it was a silly question. What I really liked were the pictures and descriptions of how I would be possibly feeling, looking like, and what I would be thinking. I got into the book so much that I had trouble with reading too far ahead. I had to set the book aside for a couple weeks and then read up again. One of the greatest forms of assistance was after I had the baby. It helped me through what I may be feeling and how normal that was. It had great ideas about returning to work after my 6 weeks were over and my husbands aspects of the new baby. I enjoyed the book so much that during my next pregnancy I went out and bought a copy for myself. This led me to the next book 'What to Expect the First Year' and I really enjoyed that as well. Now my first child is 4 1/2 and my second will be 3 soon. My third and last child is 7 months old. Now, as you may have guessed, I have purchased the 'What to Expect the Toddler Years' book. I have found that the 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' book is a great gift for expectant mothers. I have given it out to 4 of my friends and co-workers. They really enjoy the detailed information the book provides. THANKS to author for providing us with such great reading material that will help us for those moments of informative encouragement!!
Rating:
Summary: Should most likely be a part of your pregnancy library.
Review: I have bought several books since I learned I was pregnant, and "What To Expect When You're Expecting" was recommended by my doctor. It is a solid, informative book, and the information in it should be taken as recommendations only, just as with any other book on the subject. I did not find this book threatening or biased, though certain areas do not apply to me, I think it is wise to know as much as possible about all the things that are involved with pregnancy. I think this is a good book to have on your shelf for pregnancy reference, but it should not be the only one. However, I would recommend this book -over- "The Girlfriend's Guide To Pregancy" any day. (See my review on Amazon for why) If you are going to buy this book, I would suggest supplimenting it with the following: "Your Pregnancy Week By Week" by Glade B. Curtis "Your Pregnancy Month By Month" by Clark Gillespie
Rating:
Summary: The classic, but beware...
Review: This was the first book I ran out and bought when I found out I was expecting. Like several other reviewers, however, I found it to be somewhat intimidating, since it focuses quite extensively on problems in pregnancy and less on what is actually happening to one's body and to the baby. Still, it is an excellent book, but I would urge people, especially firt-time expectant moms and dads, to be prepared and to read other, more positive sources, like "Your Pregnancy Week-By-Week," which I find much more comforting!
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Unlike many of the others who have commented, I did not get the feeling of 'having' to conform to the authors suggestions verbatim, particularly regarding diet. They were good informative suggestions, but left as that. I never felt forced to eat 'wheat germ', nor did I feel scared if my pregnancy was not up to par with the authors phases and suggestions. All in all I found that most of my questions were completely answered in this book with it's question/answer format. This is a great reference book and deals sensitively with the emotional process a pregnant woman goes through as well. I recommend this book, particularly for first time mothers.
Rating:
Summary: Good book to have but not the best
Review: I found this book to be informative but not the best book to read if you're expecting. I agree with some of the other readers about the Best Odds Diet. Who eats wheat germ - pregnant or not pregnant? The book made you feel that if you didn't follow the diet exactly that your baby would not be okay. I also found that there could have been more information on fetal development and perhaps some photographs of the different phases of development. I did find the book helpful but it was by no means my 'pregnancy bible'.
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