Pregnancy Books

We have found a number of books helpful during the pregnancy. I want to outline what I consider the strengths and weaknesses of the three that we have used most through this stage. Each of these books was beneficial for different reasons and hopefully these reviews will be helpful to you.

Your Pregnancy: for the father-to-be
Dr. Glade B. Curtis & Judith Schuler
Lifelong Books
ISBN 0738210021

As a first-time father this book was very helpful. It did not go into nearly the details that some of the other books did. It was very specific about what a man can do to help his wife through the process. It also looks at some longer-term items, like saving for school, planning for the first few weeks after the birth and even packing a travel bag for you to take to the hospital. It is nice light reading in an easy-to-read format and style. This book will definitely be a benefit to you and your partner. The 5 sections are: the three trimesters, labor & delivery, and at home with the baby. These authors also wrote a number of supporting or complimentary books:

• Bouncing Back From Your Pregnancy
• Your Pregnancy Journal Week by Week
• Your Pregnancy After 35
• Your Pregnancy Questions and Answers
• Your Pregnancy Every Woman’s Guide
• Your Baby’s First Year Week by Week
• Your Pregnancy Week by Week

Your Pregnancy: week by week
Dr. Glade B. Curtis & Judith Schuler
Lifelong Books
ISBN 1555613462

The greatest strength of this book is the week-by-week format. It outlines specific changes that are pretty close to exactly as predicted. We noticed many of the things and then read them that week: ie phlegmyness, inability to travel more than an hour, and dryness at night just to name a few. This book is very well balanced and it tends to focus more on the positives of pregnancy and not the possible complications. This is the 5th Edition of this book with millions of copies sold. Overall it is a great help. I definitely recommend it to all expectant couples. These authors also wrote a number of supporting or complimentary books:

• Bouncing Back From Your Pregnancy
• Your Pregnancy Journal Week by Week
• Your Pregnancy for the Father to Be
• Your Pregnancy After 35
• Your Pregnancy Questions and Answers
• Your Pregnancy Every Woman’s Guide
• Your Baby’s First Year Week by Week

What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg & Sandee Hathaway
Workman Publishing
ISBN 0761121323

The drawback for this book is it clearly explains almost every possible complication. With the monthly format it is a lot to read at a time. The list of complications and possible symptoms each month can be very daunting. Yet with all of that, the book is also a great resource. It gives you many things to consider that you may never have thought of. It is much more comprehensive than many other pregnancy books. It has some nice charts in the back to help you keep track of weight, size and other notes for the Doctors or Midwives. It also has a section for coping with pregnancy loss and also preparing for the next child. It is a good resource for any couple expecting a child. With over 12 Million copies sold, this book, now in its 3rd edition, has been trusted by many people. The authors have also written:

• What to Expect the First Year
• What to Expect the Toddler Years
• What to Expect Eating Well When You’re Expecting
• The What to Expect When You’re Expecting Pregnancy Organizer