Rating: 
Summary: Lots of great info!
Review: Both of these books give you a wealth of information about what to expect both before and after your baby is born. The problem I have with them is that they are set up in a Q&A format. Some unnamed parent writes in with a question about their baby and the authors answer. Though this does cover many important topics, I was hoping for something more direct. For example, when I was wondering what the signs of teething were, I had to consult the index, which directed me to several sections that mentioned teething, but didn't spell out the information I was looking for. I found this to be a problem mostly in What to Expect the First Year. I didn't really have any complaints about What to Expect When You're Expecting. It's definitely one of, if not THE, best book out there about pregnancy. Buy it. Just don't get this boxed set. For information on you baby's first year, I'd recommend a different parenting book such as The Baby Book by Dr. Sears.
Rating:
Summary: Lots of great info!
Review: Both of these books give you a wealth of information about what to expect both before and after your baby is born. The problem I have with them is that they are set up in a Q&A format. Some unnamed parent writes in with a question about their baby and the authors answer. Though this does cover many important topics, I was hoping for something more direct. For example, when I was wondering what the signs of teething were, I had to consult the index, which directed me to several sections that mentioned teething, but didn't spell out the information I was looking for. I found this to be a problem mostly in What to Expect the First Year. I didn't really have any complaints about What to Expect When You're Expecting. It's definitely one of, if not THE, best book out there about pregnancy. Buy it. Just don't get this boxed set. For information on you baby's first year, I'd recommend a different parenting book such as The Baby Book by Dr. Sears.
Rating: 
Summary: Complete book(s)
Review: Both of these books I found to be a great read while I was pregnant. What To Expect When Expecting gives a monthly view of what's going on with you and your baby, information for preconception, and labor and delivery information. It gives information on a variety of things dealing with pregnancy, from rare birth defects to morning sickness. There are great references to sources that you can look into for further information like La Leche League. What To Expect The First Year is also a great read and provides information about what's going on with baby, though, however, it is a large book with lots of valuable information, thus you might consider reading it before delivering the baby. But I do agree, these books do have a condescending tone to it, and I am a single teen mom and didn't enjoy the fact that the books refers to my partner as my "husband" whereas all other books of recent publication have replaced "husband" with "partner". The books also didn't provide me with much information dealing with the fact that I had a teen pregnancy, though there was lots of information with pregnancies over 35. Other than than those tidbits, I found these books to be a great source of information, though I wouldn't recommend it to those dealing with weak at heart pregnancies.
Rating:
Summary: Complete book(s)
Review: Both of these books I found to be a great read while I was pregnant. What To Expect When Expecting gives a monthly view of what's going on with you and your baby, information for preconception, and labor and delivery information. It gives information on a variety of things dealing with pregnancy, from rare birth defects to morning sickness. There are great references to sources that you can look into for further information like La Leche League. What To Expect The First Year is also a great read and provides information about what's going on with baby, though, however, it is a large book with lots of valuable information, thus you might consider reading it before delivering the baby. But I do agree, these books do have a condescending tone to it, and I am a single teen mom and didn't enjoy the fact that the books refers to my partner as my "husband" whereas all other books of recent publication have replaced "husband" with "partner". The books also didn't provide me with much information dealing with the fact that I had a teen pregnancy, though there was lots of information with pregnancies over 35. Other than than those tidbits, I found these books to be a great source of information, though I wouldn't recommend it to those dealing with weak at heart pregnancies.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolute required reading!!
Review: Especially if this is the first baby, I cannot recommend this set highly enough. I've had four so far, but even with my nursing/medical backround, I have relied on these books! They cover everything you could ever think to ask (plus a few things you probably hadn't thought of) in a positive and caring way. They really help you to RELAX about things that can be worrisome, but more importantly, the authors help you to become pro-active in taking the best possible care of first your baby-to-be, then your new little angel!
Rating:
Summary: My Pregnancy Bible
Review: Great book!!! Couldn't do without it! All the detailed information one would need during every fathomable stage of pregnancy in great precision.
Rating:
Summary: INVALUABLE ADVICE!!
Review: I am the mother of a beautiful one year old daughter AND a wonderful 17 year old son. Although this is my second time around, 17 years is a big time span! Both of these books have been read and re-read many times in our household. Perfect gift for any baby shower or new parents!!
Rating: 
Summary: Did not like condescending tone
Review: I cannot recommend these books partly because of the condescending tone and partly because of the information within - some of which I find to be even harmful or compromise bonding between mother and child. There are many other books on the market - Sears for example - that have much more accurate and reliable information.
Rating:
Summary: How to say "don't listen to your body!"
Review: I have been very unhappy when receiving these books as gifts, and they say anything but "Congratulations!" to me. The authors, not big authorities in their fields, are condescending of women, husbands, midwives, doula, and even the ability of an infant to communicate their needs to their responsive parents. If you want to trust your body to give birth, read anything by Penny Simkin or Sheila Kitzenger. The Sears books tell you much more about what to expect from babyhood and how to realistically cope with it. The only thing these women write well about is their information on breastfeeding premmies. Unfortunately they don't support breastfeeding in the rest of their books. If you follow the advice of most obs and postpartum nurses, as they would like you to, you may have many unnecessary problems breastfeeding. If you follow their advice, you'll give bottles earlier than most knowledgeable board certified lactation consultants recommend, you'll potentially decrease your milk supply and you will prematurely wean (defined as anytime before 1 year). I don't really want to bash these authors, but rather educate gift buyers that they may be doing their loved ones a disservice by falling back on these books. Besides, their ob (who wants complete compliance from their patients) will give them a copy. Didn't yours? Mine did, then I switched practices to one that I believed would listen to me.
Rating:
Summary: Very Pleased Reader of the What To Expect Series
Review: I have kept the first "What to Expect when You're Expecting" book with me since my first pregnancy (more than 8 years ago!) and it reappears with each subsequent pregnancy. And of course the book "What to Expect the First Year" marked with notes from my first child appears shortly before each birth. I am now expecting our third (and LAST) child. I can't applaud this series enough! Every time I read these books I learn something new to assist with the daily tasks of growing, birthing, and raising children. My husband also enjoys reading these books right along with me. He has NEVER felt put down or left out-quite the opposite-the first book helps to explain all of the 'behind the scenes' changes so he better understands what I am going through while I still look 'normal.' I have purchased these books numerous times as gifts for friends and family who are expecting-and I will continue to do so. While these books are NOT all-inclusive, and in no way replace qualified medical advice, they are a great resource for any expectant parents and/or parents of infants! Congratulations to everyone who is reading this review who has just found out they are pregnant--you are in for the best time of your life!
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