Rating: 
Summary: Essential!
Review: I haven't found any topics in either of these books that weren't addressed adequately. I certainly haven't found either of them condescending, and was shocked to learn that some thought the authors unsupportive of breastfeeding. I can't imagine how they could be more encouraging. I read each from cover to cover when I first became pregnant, and then re-read each section as I progressed, some more than once. I couldn't recommend these books highly enough.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT IMPRESSED BY THE INFORMATION
Review: I just had my first baby two months ago. My mother lives in another country, I have no sisters and nobody to talk to about being pregnant, giving birth or raising kids. Because of this, I was forced to go out and buy many books on the subject of motherhood. This book was not what I was looking for. The book does not cover certain topics about pregnancy or delivery in depth, I thought the book left alot of useful information out. I didn't think alot of the information was up to date and I was not impressed by any of it. Feeling desperate and not knowing what to expect, I turned to other books, which I really learned alot from. I will not recommend this book to anyone, but I will say that the following books educated me and were very useful, educational and inspirational to a new mom like me. The books I read and do recommend are:1. The ABC's of prenatal Diagnosis. 2. 1000 Questions about your pregnancy. 3. 101 essential tips: childbirth.
Rating:
Summary: Not worth reading
Review: I'm not sure how to feel about this book, other than I hated it.. I read this book while pregnant with my son. The information contained here was not of value to me. The authors either put down men or somehow gives the reader the idea that men are of no use or help to us when we're pregnant. The part about breastfeeding was somewhat interesting and useful, but nothing else in this book was of any use to me.
Rating:
Summary: MY PREGNANCY BIBLE!!!
Review: It's a wonderful set but the "What to Expect" series is NOT a pregnancy "inspirational book", if you are looking for something with lots of pictures talking about your "pregnancy glow", don't get these books! This series is for moms with serious questions about pregnancy and child development. It can even be a bit scary at time because it will talk about all possible complications that can occour. It WILL answer ALL your questions, even those that you aren't comfortable asking your doctor or friends. It will touch on subjects that you never even knew about, will educate you like an "easy to read" text book would. If you want to have ALL your pregnancy and child development questions answered whitin ONE set, this is it! If you need to be told how beautiful and glowey you are during pregnancy, and the magic moment of birth...This is NOT a book for you. Go get a magazine instead.
Rating:
Summary: My Pregnancy Bible
Review: My wife wanted this book. I got her this book. She enjoyed reading this book. She's was the one expecting. This book made her happy. Enough said.
Rating:
Summary: A Comfort to my wife
Review: My wife wanted this book. I got her this book. She enjoyed reading this book. She's was the one expecting. This book made her happy. Enough said.
Rating: 
Summary: "Best Odds Diet" best part of WTEWYE
Review: Their "Best Odds Diet" was the best part of this book. It was the only time the authors stepped away from "establishment" ideas and said something courageous. Predictably, this is not a popular section of their book. Some readers will not be able to accept that a candy bar or a piece of cake --- to a tiny fetus which needs every single spare nutrient possible --- is at worst a toxin, and at best a filler akin to styrofoam that adds absolutely *nothing* to the baby's health. On the negative side, I did find WTEWYE condescending, especially to the expecting husband. I also found its unquestioning support of the OB to be counterproductive (I switched OBs and hired a doula for my second pregnancy and had a much better pregnancy, labor, and delivery). However, I believe that my commitment to the Best Odds Diet was what enabled me to deliver twins who weighed 5 lbs, 1 oz, EACH, even though they were born 7 weeks premature. (Of course, I upped the protein to 65 g. / day to accommodate the extra baby). As a result of my commitment to the BOD plan of eating, I never once concerned myself about "getting fat" while I was pregnant, because I knew that every single ounce I was putting on was there to provide health and nutrition for my babies. I've watched women get upset about "getting fat" while they're pregnant --- and those are the women who are eating a little junk food here and there and then justifying it by saying, "I'm pregnant." I can understand if these women are compulsive overeaters and cannot stop eating junk food. That's an addiction, and I would hope they would find help for it. But women who are not addicted to sweets should at least try the Best Odds Diet. Regarding the book "What to Expect the First Year," I have used the Best Odds Diet for Toddlers as well (twins are now 3 1/2 and daughter is 8 mo.), and have used its guidelines to explain to the babysitter why there's no juice in the fridge and why cold cooked peas are a favorite snack. But better than that, the Best Odds Diet for Toddlers explains why my children love broccoli, cauliflower, and almost every other vegetable, broiled fish, chicken, and other meats, beans of all kinds, plain yoghurt, whole grain breads and pastas, and why I have *NEVER* had any trouble at all with them taking liquid medicine (it's the sweetest thing they put into their mouths). Bottom line: I fed my babies wholesome, nutritional food while I was pregnant, and I was down to my prepregnancy weight, both times, by 6 weeks after delivery (yes, even after twins). I thank these authors for having the courage of their convictions even though this diet has received much backlash.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Breastfeeding Info
Review: These books do contain a lot of good information, but they have quite a bit of Blatantly Incorrect information and advice regarding breastfeeding. They even go so far as to lie about doctor and pediatrician recommendations.
Rating:
Summary: great!!!!!
Review: This is my first pregnancy, and I currently live 1300 miles away from my mother, so I got this book because, well....lets face it long distance phone calls get expensive. I love it, and so does my husband. This book faces the reality of pregnancy, and is very reassuring (ex. wanting to know if it's normal for your back to hurt soooooo bad) I recommend it to anyone who is expecting, or trying to conceive.
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