Rating: 
Summary: From a scared 1st-timer
Review: We're finally thinking of doing this whole kid thing and my sister recommended "The Unofficial..." over "What to Expect ..." (which I haven't read, but plan to as well). I found "Unofficial" to be an extrememly fast read, and I'm still fairly resistant to this whole subject. It presents a lot of info in a very concise, easy to understand format. I also liked that they touched on the physical, financial and emotional elements of each stage. I'd recommend this highly, but take my words with a grain of salt, because it's my first birth book. -Megan
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: I just purchased and received this book from amazon.com last week, and have read almost half, and so far, I am very impressed! I have also scanned most of the rest of the book, and am thrilled that it covers a variety of topics about preconception, planning pregnancy, maternity leave from work, adoption, and the additional resources it lists throughout the book and at the end, including the numerous websites. A definite tool to have whether you are pregnant or thinking of having a baby! I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL BOOK!!!
Review: MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN THE PLANNING STAGES AND I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH FOR A WHILE IN ORDER TO GET READY. BECAUSE OF MY WEIGHT AND THE FACT THAT I'M RH- AND HE'S NOT, I'LL PROBABLY BE HIGH-RISK. THIS IS THE ONLY BOOK THAT I'VE READ THAT DOES MORE THAN DEVOTE A PAGE OR TWO TO THIS SUBJECT (HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES). IT GOES OVER EVERYTHING - ESPECIALLY THINGS THAT OTHER BOOKS EITHER DON'T OR WON'T GO OVER VERY MUCH LIKE COMPLICATIONS, HIGH-RISK & PREGNANCY LOSS.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE!!! I LIKED THIS MUCH BETTER THAN WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING!!!
Rating:
Summary: An extremely informative book
Review: Any question that I've had regarding my pregnancy have been answered by this book. It covers everything from preconception to postpartum. The graphs are especially informative, covering such topics as over-the-counter medications and their potential effects on the fetus. Anything you can think of is in here! It really is the "Bible of Pregancy." I refer to it constantly.
Rating: 
Summary: Much Better than What to Expect
Review: I found this book much more helpful than What to Expect When You're Expecting, mainly because it contained more practical information and less preaching. I would have liked a better sense of a week-by-week analysis of the stages of pregnancy and fetal development, but I did appreciate the way the book organizes some of its other major sections. The very best section is Chapter 13: The Dirt on Diapers and Other Baby Gear. This kind of advice would be very hard to find on sponsor-supported internet sites, since it advocates less consumerism and more practicality about what you really need to take care of a baby. I found this book less maudlin or "cute" and more intelligent than most of the baby guides I have read. What a relief to find a book that wasn't pastel and that didn't sport lots of sentimental claptrap! The guide to websites is also very helpful. My husband and I have read and enjoyed Unofficial travel guides for years, and we were thrilled to find that they had branched out to cover this important topic, too.
Rating:
Summary: This book is my bible!
Review: I find it to be the best pregnancy book I've seen so far. It gives you the "no nonsense" approach to conception, pregnancy and birth in easy to read chapters. If you are TTC, definitely grab this book. I love it.
Rating:
Summary: The best I've read
Review: I feel like I have waded through dozens of pregnancy and birth books, but inevitably, I always turn back to this one when I need information. It's a huge tome, and it does the best job of any book I've found of at least touching on just about every relevant subject one could think of (and going into great depth on many topics). Particularly valuable to me during my first pregnancy which ended in miscarriage was the generous section on loss and mourning. Many books hardly even mention the sad possibility that this can happen, and I really relied on this information a great deal. In addition to dozens of charts and diagrams, the appendices offer everything from Internet contacts to "fill in" guides for birth plans and hiring doulas. I would never recommend that any mother/dad-to-be rely on just one book, but I strongly advise expectant families to make this one a key part of their pregnancy/childbirth library.
Rating:
Summary: A great resource for both expectant moms AND expectant dads
Review: I totally disagree with the earlier reviewer who thought that this book was disrespectful toward expectant fathers. The authors went out of their way to include the expectant father in their discussions of all aspects of pregnancy and birth. In the chapter on bedrest, for example, the authors made a point of pointing out that the expectant father has to shoulder a huge burden when his partner is on bedrest. And each of the sections of the book that discuss the emotional challenges of pregnancy contain valuable information on how both partners may be feeling. Ditto for the detailed section on surviving the highs and lows of the postpartum period.As for the book containing feminist rants--oh, please.... The quote the earlier reviewer cited in his review was a humorous comment by the authors, not evidence of male bashing! Lighten up! This book is a terrific resource for both expectant moms and expectant dads. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Rating: 
Summary: A mile wide and an inch deep.
Review: Not a bad primer on pregnancy. Covers absolutely everything but covers nothing particularly well. But most importantly this book is for women only! I found the book rife with subtle feminist male-bashing. "Don't be surprised if your partner is less than enthusiastic about attending childbirth classes. For whatever reason the average father-to-be finds childbirth classes to be about as fulfilling and exciting as a typical bridal shower." I was reading this book because I WAS taking an interest and I didn't deserve this sort of insult.
Rating:
Summary: an absolutely excellent book
Review: i got this book during my second pregnancy and i was placed on bed rest for three months. for my first pregnancy i followed the What To Expect When You're Expecting book which was a slight disappointment and left me more worried then reassured about my pregnancy and labor in general. this book was the complete opposite. with my second baby i needed a book that discussed in length about bed rest and how to cope with the boredom, and about labor induction and the different methods. i found myself referring to this book a thousand times and each time i felt more assured that i can handle this pregnancy. i highly recommend this book if you are having trouble conceiving, just thinking about getting pregnant or not having a basically normal "perfect" pregnancy. it makes you feel like despite the "deviations from the norm" you can still enjoy your pregancy and have a healthy happy baby. this book is real and touches every aspect of your life even going so far as discussing how far apart you choose to have your children. i truly love this book.
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