Rating: 
Summary: Best book for expectant mothers and partners
Review: I got this book when I was pregnant with my third child. I remember referring to it daily, and sometimes several times a day. I have never seen a book that is easier to understand or more informative about the different stages of pregnancy. Many times when I would have questions that I had planned to ask my doctor, I used this book as a reference first and had my questions answered in full. This book is organized with charts that show the different stages of pregnancy by weeks and what should happen during that time. Each section also has pages of explanation in further detail. I wouldn't be without this book whether having my first child or my fifth!!
Rating: 
Summary: Very informative
Review: I have this book and What to Expect When You're Expecting. I like this book better mainly because it covers more topics. It's not as easy to read as WtEWYE but it is more useful since you're given more indepth information in terms of nutrition, breast feeding, exercises, bonding, etc. Whereas WyEWYE made me feel like every new sensation in my body was something to worry about.
Rating:
Summary: By far the best I've read! Very thorough and detailed.
Review: I really love this book!I'm 4 months pregnant with my first child and I'm alternately scared to death and excited beyond belief. I've been soaking up information like crazy--getting books from the library, buying whatever looks good in the bookstore, and my midwife has given me a number of books to read, this being the most recent. Out of all of them, I think this one is the best. It is extremely thorough, not just with clinical information, but also descriptions of how you might feel, both physically and emotionally as you progress through pregnancy, labor, and post-partum. It covers everything I've been asking myself about what's happening to me, the baby, and what I can expect. Most importantly it covers what you do with the baby once you give birth and take them home, enough to get you over the "What do I do?!" fear and allowing you to get settled in as a parent. I also really like the focus on the birth partner as well as the pregnant woman; it's important to understand what both partners are going through during this highly confusing and magical time. I'm giving this book to my husband as soon as I'm finished reading it for the second time, as I want him to know what's going on with me and also let him know that I understand what might be going on with him. It's a great book for anyone who is involved in pregnancy in any way. After he's done with it, I plan to pass it on to our families to read. The only thing I didn't like about the book was the way it was organized, to me some of the chapters seemed out of order. It may have been the way I was approaching it, or that I was looking for specific information that was different from the flow. However, the chapters are very well laid out and titled, so it was easy to flip through the headers at the top of the page and find exactly the section I wanted, when I wanted it. Overall, a very thoroughly researched and produced book. Laid out in a manner that's easy to read and navigate, not at all intimidating and also not sentimental or biased. I would highly recommend this book to ANYONE who is pregnant, thinking about getting pregnant, related to or friends with someone who is pregnant, anyone who is curious about how it works, generally everybody. Don't hesitate to click the Add To Cart button and buy it now :)
Rating:
Summary: By far the best I've read! Very thorough and detailed.
Review: I really love this book! I'm 4 months pregnant with my first child and I'm alternately scared to death and excited beyond belief. I've been soaking up information like crazy--getting books from the library, buying whatever looks good in the bookstore, and my midwife has given me a number of books to read, this being the most recent. Out of all of them, I think this one is the best. It is extremely thorough, not just with clinical information, but also descriptions of how you might feel, both physically and emotionally as you progress through pregnancy, labor, and post-partum. It covers everything I've been asking myself about what's happening to me, the baby, and what I can expect. Most importantly it covers what you do with the baby once you give birth and take them home, enough to get you over the "What do I do?!" fear and allowing you to get settled in as a parent. I also really like the focus on the birth partner as well as the pregnant woman; it's important to understand what both partners are going through during this highly confusing and magical time. I'm giving this book to my husband as soon as I'm finished reading it for the second time, as I want him to know what's going on with me and also let him know that I understand what might be going on with him. It's a great book for anyone who is involved in pregnancy in any way. After he's done with it, I plan to pass it on to our families to read. The only thing I didn't like about the book was the way it was organized, to me some of the chapters seemed out of order. It may have been the way I was approaching it, or that I was looking for specific information that was different from the flow. However, the chapters are very well laid out and titled, so it was easy to flip through the headers at the top of the page and find exactly the section I wanted, when I wanted it. Overall, a very thoroughly researched and produced book. Laid out in a manner that's easy to read and navigate, not at all intimidating and also not sentimental or biased. I would highly recommend this book to ANYONE who is pregnant, thinking about getting pregnant, related to or friends with someone who is pregnant, anyone who is curious about how it works, generally everybody. Don't hesitate to click the Add To Cart button and buy it now :)
Rating:
Summary: This book spared me from seeing a doctor!
Review: I was on my 2nd week of pregnancy (my first pregnancy) when I developed a problem on my lower hip. It bothered me so much that every time I bend or change position, pain just shoots up everywhere in my hip. I was having this for more than a week already that my husband strongly suggested that I see a doctor. I was already about to set an appointment with my doctor when on that same day, I came to read this page of the book where they showed some helpful exercises to alleviate various kinds of pains. Luckily there was one exercise intended for the lower hip and I began to do it every day. On my second day the pain started to ease up and on the third day the pain was completely gone! Boy, I was so relieved. Well, I don't advice self-medication to pregnant women but this book is so complete that it just came in so handy. It also is helpful for my husband as it tackles some issues that the husband may undergo during pregnancy, too. I just love this book!! :)
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful and intelligent book
Review: I wish I had read this book sooner. I was given several books on pregnancy and childbirth by friends and relatives. My husband and I call "What to Expect" the "Panic" book. Most of the others are comforting but lack detail. In contrast, this book is very thoughtful - it offers multiple alternatives for specific situations and it tells you WHY you would decide one way or the other. Sometimes it recommends a course of action and other times it lays out the alternatives and their pros and cons. But it always treats the reader as an intelligent and thoughtful person. I expected most pregnancy books to be written that way, but unfortunately, this is the only one I have found that arms the reader with the "why" behind each option.
Rating: 
Summary: A 16-year-old reader
Review: If you only buy one childbirth guide, this should be the one. It's the most complete--it tells and shows (with over 100 photos, illustrations, and charts) how to prepare yourself for a healthy, positive birth experience. It covers nutrition, exercise, labor comfort measures, anesthesia choices, birth, breastfeeding, and new baby care. Created by the Childbirth Education Association of Seattle, childbirth experts call it thier "bible."
Rating:
Summary: A reader
Review: If you only read one book to prepare for birth and parenting, this is the one! It's still the best guide for pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care. Unlike What to Expect, it provides families with accurate and unbiased information to help them make informed decisions on healthcare, birth and parenting.
Rating: 
Summary: Families make the best choices when they learn about options
Review: Penny, Ann and I wrote this book to help expectant parents prepare for pregnancy, childbirth and the first weeks with a new baby. We provide information, based on solid research, that reflects the joy and wonder of childbearing expressed by the hundreds of families that we have worked with over the years. With knowledge of the amazing changes of pregnancy, childbirth options and the alternatives of parenting, new mothers and fathers can make the best decisions for themselves and their baby. Our book is available in Spanish -
Rating:
Summary: Penny Simkins is Awesome
Review: Strait forward approach makes reading this book a joy no matter what your reason for reading it...new expectant mother, new mom, nurse, doula, or childbirth professional. As usual.. Penny writes wonderful books for the childbearing woman and those who serve them!
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