What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

As an alternative to What to Expect, I would recommend Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Simkin et al. (Disclaimer: I am one of the co-authors of this book, so I am definitely biased here!) We have attempted to write a book which is comprehensive, unbiased, user-friendly, and reassuring. I personally do not find What to Expect covers all topics adequately. For example, their section on cesarean birth is approximately 2 pages long - in the U.S. 33% of women give birth by cesarean - there needs to be more content on it for a book to adequately address the needs of pregnant women.

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

After reading the reviews of this book I was saddened to see so many negatives. This book is not as bad as some make it out to be. I wouldnt rely on it 100%, as one should always do continuous research. I read this during my pregnancy and was never frightened and scared by it, but then again I am more of a realist than most people. Bad things happen, whether you read this book or not and I would rather know going in what I am up against than be blindsided. A first time pregnancy is scary no matter what, and you cant blame a book for presenting the facts. I would recommend this book to my friends (and I do) but I would also tell them to use as it as one of many resources.

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

Read Dr. Sears' baby books instead. He's an actual licensed doctor who sees ACTUAL infants and toddlers in his practice on a daily basis, and himself has like 6 kids. This book is a joke, it makes you worry too much, not to mention the advice and some of the attitudes towards certain things are...well...unrealistic and also potentially harmful.

NEITHER of this books authors have any medical training whatsoever, much of this is opinion based. I wouldn't say it is not a somewhat factual book; all of the information about dieases, complications, etc are correct, but its hard to tell opinion and "educated guesses" from fact in this book so avoid it altogether!

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

I recieved this book from my doctor's office when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I used it quite a bit with my first pregnancy. I found it very helpful and informative. It helped me learn about what my body was going through and how the baby was developing as well as prepare me mentally for labor.
I did find that some parts where a bit extreme, but I asked my doctor about it (ex: the food/diet info.) and she gave me more simplified advice.

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

This book sets up the reader (usually a first time mom) to be terrified of the things she faces in pregnancy and childbirth. There are much better books out there, this one just happens to have a great title.

Try a book by Penny Simkin or Ina May Gaskin or Dr. Sears.

If you're a mom wanting a calm or a natural pregnancy and/or birth, do not read this book. And don't trust the bit they have on cloth diapering either: do your own research. Talk to moms who have done it recently.

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

This book is an abysmal disappointment and I was sorry to see it on this site, particularly in the absence of books that present pregnancy and birth as normal, natural, and something women's bodies are built for and capable of. We often call this book 'What to Expect When You're Expecting the Worst,' because it does its best to strike fears of worst-possible (and thankfully RARE!) outcomes into the hearts of moms-to-be everywhere.

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

This book is clearly written from a close minded medical point of view and does not give any insight on how to avoid situations such as "pregnancy diseases" or give options/alternatives to standard medical procedures. If you want to get scared and read about all the negative aspects that could happen, read this book. But you would want more positive approach; then stay away from this book. You want good sound educational book that will guide you through the wonderful aspects of being pregnant and tell you how to stay low risk but also will informs you on the "what if's", not tell you this will what happens.

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

Great book. I lived by it durning my first pregnancy and went back to it when I was pregnant with my second child. It has so much information in an easy to read format. I loved this book and will give it as a gift for every new mother i meet. I dont know how I would have made it through my pregnancys without it. It is a must have!

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

I got this as a gift. It was so easy to use and follow. Great for first time mothers!

Comments about What to Expect When You're Expecting:

This book basically describes for you how to be a good patient in a maternity ward. WTEWYE does not go into prescient debates on today's birthing environments, or discuss a woman's options for birth. I recommend "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer. Even though it was published in 1999, it provides better information than WTEWYE.