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Revised Title: What PROBLEMS to Expect When You're Expecting Nov 13, 2008 (16 of 17 found this helpful)
After reading this book, I am amazed there are any successful, healthy pregnancies at all. This book has kept me on edge for the entire duration of the pregnancies with its monthly list of complications. I would have definitely been happier with a book that outlined all of the things that you personally can do to ensure a healthy pregnancy, and focus less on possile complications which are beyond your control!!!
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To All the Expecting Fathers ... May 31, 2008 (306 of 389 found this helpful)
Guys ... consider this a warning; this will be the worst book that your significant other can read and will make your life utterly miserable for the next nine months. It's been over four years since I had to deal with this serie's 3rd edition and I still can't stand the sight of it.
It may have been intended as a self-help guide, but its alarmist tone and condescending attitude leads this to act more as a bible for every worst-case scenario imaginable. After spending a few hours perusing this book's contents, your wife, girlfriend, whomever will become so overworked and paranoid that every little ache, pain, and irritation will become a sign of the baby being born with a forked tongue and three heads. The diet your partner will be instructed to keep is impossible for any human being alive to follow. She will be told to try and avoid ... damn near everything it seems like.
I was also incensed that after reading up on the author, all of this "wonderful" information was being brought to me by someone with NO MEDICAL BACKGROUND. If I'm going to want advice on dealing with pregnancy issues, wouldn't I want to consult an expert (i.e. someone with a degree)? Murkoff is no more an expert then I am ...
I'll be blunt, WTEWYE seems to be an EXTREMELY popular gift for someone who's pregnant for the first time and it's probably unavoidable. I came into three copies without any effort at all. I'm not going to stand here and pretend I know of a better source for information either, because (outside of ... oh I don't know ... a doctor) I don't. All I know is that if THIS is the definitive volume on the pregnancy experience, then God help us all.
I absolutely guarantee you, someone your partner knows WILL buy this for her. Your mission is to "lose it." If you're already stuck with it and you can't hide it or burn it, at least do your best to temper its pages with as much perspective as you possibly can. Again, for a first-time mom-to-be, who, frankly, is probably a bit nervous anyway about all the changes her body is going through, all this volume is going to accomplish is completely freaking her out.
Batten down the hatches and break out the antacid my friends, it's gonna be a long nine months
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What to expect when you're expecting? From this book, expect terror! Apr 30, 2009 (11 of 12 found this helpful)
I bought this book thinking it would be helpful, but it reads more like a lecture from some know-it-all jerk. I have to agree with another reviewer who commented about the condescending tone of this book. It seems in every other passage, there are some subtle (and often not-so-subtle) comments about weight gain, which, I suppose, are supposed to be "funny" or "cute" but simply fall flat. Also, there are helpful "hints" throughout it that simply advertise additional books published by these people (advertising snippets) to try to brainwash you into purchasing more of their garbage. In addition, the diet plan is ridiculous. I slammed the book shut for good when I got to the part about (I'll paraphrase it) "walking to ease morning sickness and so you don't get fat! But before you go for a walk, make sure you always wear sunscreen!!!!" Gee, thanks, Captain Obvious. Every chapter lectures about weight gain, which is a good thing to keep an eye on, but seriously, it's in every other paragraph. This book talked to me as if I were a complete utter moron, and made me paranoid about preservatives, that I HAD to HAVE a completely 100% organic diet, and that if I didn't, I could just READ ON ABOUT EVERY POSSIBLE BIRTH DEFECT or terrible situation that could occur. Don't buy this book...I expressed my feelings to a friend and she, totally understanding, said she threw that book out. She then handed me a well-worn copy of "Your Pregnancy, Week By Week", which was written by a physician in an intelligent style. I'm taking this book of terror back to Borders!
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Inaccurate, misleading, and full of fearful messages Feb 14, 2009 (11 of 12 found this helpful)
I picked up this book twice - once before getting pregnant, and once after getting pregnant. On both reads, it frightened me with information I later found out was not in tune with actual practice. I feel its tone and language is unnecessarily scary. Many people have commented on this, so I'll just give one concrete example.
I am 42, expecting my first child, and, because of my age and risk factors, was advised to have an amniocentesis. The language in "What to Expect" emphasizes: 1. The large size of the needle, 2. The risks of the procedure, and 3. Pain. Of course, after reading this I was a basket case! "What to Expect" did nothing create fear where there was nothing to worry about - none of those frightening things turned out to be true. There are many other examples of this fear-based language within its covers.
I also can relate to other reviewers' comments about this book in terms of labor and delivery. Although it explains procedures, it does not emphasize a pregnant woman's rights to refuse those procedures if she chooses, and take ownership of her medical care during this crucial time. I find that this book makes pregnancy, labor, and birth seem unnecessarily difficult and unmanageable, and fosters a feeling of helplessness. I'm glad I put this book down and discounted its approach. My advice is not to purchase this book, and instead use common sense, supplemented by books that offer the expectant mother a more positive and powerful message.
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Expectant Mothers - Stay Away! Aug 3, 2008 (11 of 12 found this helpful)
Good for nothing more than scaring expectant mothers into blindly following modern medicine - despite the consequences and other options available. Much of the information is either outdated and alarmist, and will surely worry expectant mothers (especially first time moms) for no reason. Pregnancy is a wonderful, joyous journey - don't bog it down with the undue stress this book will cause!