Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy [Paperback]

Michele Hakakha M.D. (Author), Ari Brown M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 16, 2012 | Series: Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy

Congratulations! You’re pregnant! Now, where do you turn to for the best advice? What if you could bottle the wisdom of all those women who came before you—and combine it with the solid medical advice from a renowned Beverly Hills’ OB/GYN and nationally known pediatrician? Expecting 411 is the answer: smart, up-to-date and refreshingly free of paranoia, this is the book you’ll turn to for quick answers to your most pressing questions. Inside, you'll find:

• Is this normal? From morning sickness to stretch marks, you’ll learn what’s expected—and what’s not.
  
• Is it safe? Sushi? Hair dye? Coffee? Get detailed do’s and don’ts.
  
• How much weight should I gain? Find the latest guidelines.
  
• Breastfeeding 101. Learn the secrets of nursing from an expert.
  
• Detailed advice on prepping for parenthood, including all the decisions you need to make. What tests are required? Are optional?
  
• Easy-to-find answers on natural childbirth, nutrition, epidurals, when to call the doc and more!
  

The new, revised and updated 2nd edition includes even more great advice:

1. New research on how to prevent preterm births.
   
2. Fish facts and fish tales. What's safe, what's not, and why you SHOULD eat fish.
   
3. The latest warnings on medications during pregnancy.
   
4. Expanded tips and advice on exercise.
   
5. Protecting your newborn from whooping cough and flu.

All that and more in the revised and updated Expecting 411, 2nd editon.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Comforting! No woman should go through pregnancy without reading this book!"

Rachel Zoe

--

"A must-read for the mom-to-be!"

Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine

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"Finally, a book for pregnant women and their families that's accurate and informative without being stuffy or alarmist!"

Lawarence Platt, MD, FACOG

From the Back Cover

Congratulations! You’re pregnant! Now where do you turn for the best advice? What if you could bottle the wisdom of all those women who came before you—and combine it with the solid medical advice from a renowned Beverly Hills OB/GYN and a nationally-known pediatrician? Expecting 411 is the answer! Inside, you’ll find:

• Is this normal? From morning sickness to stretch marks, you’ll learn what’s expected—and what’s not.
• Is it safe? Sushi? Hair dye? Coffee? Get detailed do's and don’ts.
• How much weight should I gain? Find the latest guidelines.
• Breastfeeding101.Learnthesecretsofnursingfromanexpert.
• Detailed advice on prepping for parenthood, including all the decisions you need to make. What tests are required? Are optional?
• Easy-to-findanswersonnaturalchildbirth,nutrition,epidurals, when to call the doc and more!

Authors Michele Hakakha, M.D. and Ari Brown, M.D. have been there, done that! Dr. Hakakha is an award-winning OB/GYN who brings a down-to-earth perspective to being pregnant. She has contributed to numerous articles and educational videos on pregnancy, and appeared in Little Man, an award-winning documentary on premature birth.

Dr. Brown is an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and a trusted source on children’s health care. She’s been featured on NBC’s Today Show and is the co-author of best-seller Baby 411. Between them, they have four children, ages 2 to 14.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Windsor Peak Press; Second Edition, Revised edition (April 16, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889392421
• ISBN-13: 978-1889392424
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lots of good information in an easy format June 1, 2010

By S. Wise

Format:Paperback

I won a copy of this book in a drawing. It may have been an early copy, as I received it a few weeks ago, and I see this book is only being released this month.

I'm pretty type-A and tend to obsessively scoop up information as I encounter a new situation where I feel I need it. Pregnancy has been one of those times. So I have quite a library of books on pregnancy at this point. I can say that this one is near the top of the list. Different books seem to have different focuses. Some will mainly talk about the development of the embryo/fetus and the changes one goes through during pregnancy. Others will be more crunchy and focus on the natural aspects of pregnancy and holistic approaches to the pregnancy experience and childbirth.

This book has its own approach, which fills a nice gap among the others I have read. The book focuses on what is normal/not normal, what to watch out for, and what to expect as part of pregnancy during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters and the postpartum period. The book is not divided up by trimester like many are; topics pertaining to a specific trimester or trimesters are marked accordingly. I thought this was an interesting approach, since so many symptoms one encounters span two trimesters -- or show up in one and then another later on (e.g. frequent urination during the 1st and 3rd tri). A lot of the topics are addressed in a Question/Answer format with side blurbs here and there which are either humorous, highlight the most important, "Don't Miss" bits, or offer a more personal take on things. Along with that one will find some blurbs which dive deeper into more information-rich topics, like how and when genetic conditions are passed down, the various ways twins can develop, etc....

The book does a fairly good job warning you about any scary parts, so that you can skip over them and avoid freaking out. The one exception, I found, was the chapter on "Your Environment", which probably should have come with more disclaimers. I think most of us are not able to avoid exposure to certain potential risky environmental hazards while pregnant -- or at least it will seem that way to our paranoid, pregnant minds. Reading this chapter can fuel these feelings a bit and plant doubt and anxiety in our addled minds. There is a lot of good info in that section, but it can be scary to get through it.

Also, there are parts here and there that were a bit conflicting to other advice and info I have received. The authors say to stay away from soft cheeses but then go on to say that your only concern are cheeses that are not pasteurized. Well, in the US, all the soft cheeses they listed must be pasteurized by law to be sold here (e.g. brie, feta, camembert, etc). So that info could be a lot more clear. Additionally, the lactation consultant who authored the breastfeeding section recommends the Soothie brand pacifiers, but the consultant who taught the class I took specifically advised breastfeeding mothers not to use that type of pacifier, as it trains babies to bite down and rub their tongue against the end of the nipple.

The book even spends a little bit of time talking about homebirths and birth center births, which was nice to see. I liked in general how the book outlined the basic process one can expect when giving birth, either in a hospital or more natural setting, and whether going through a cesarian or vaginal delivery. This was all laid out really well. I would have liked to have seen a bit more detail on what our options are as patients and where we are likely to be able to choose and decide upon certain aspects of our birth. I know so much of that varies from practitioner-to-practitioner and hospital-to-hospital. But a list of decision points one is likely to encounter -- or where one can have the opportunity to state a preference -- would be helpful. So many women don't know all of the options they have. These were usually sprinkled throughout the section on childbirth, but having a blurb page that consolidates them in a list to make it easy to go over with an OB would be really helpful.

Next, a section for the dads would be nice. There were "partner tips" interspersed throughout the book, but I don't see myself handing this book over to my husband and him wading through it to read these tips. So if you're reading the book, and you come across some good advice for your babydaddy, share it with him right then, because once you've read past that point, you're likely to have forgotten where that great advice was in the book to share it with him later. Ah, pregnancy brain.

This is a first edition, so there are some copy mistakes here and there. But what is cool about the book being so new is that a lot of recent info is included, like the recent rise in the incidence of pertussis (whooping cough) and how important it is to make sure anyone in contact with your baby get vaccinated for tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis. I hadn't considered encouraging my baby's grandparents to get vaccinated, even though I was aware that pertussis is becoming a bigger issue for infants, so it was great that this was pointed out. (And if you're not vaccinated it would be a good idea to do so ASAP... My husband and I happen to be current on our DTaP shot.)

All in all, this is a great resource full of lots of good info in a very readable format. I have really enjoyed the books put out by Windsor Peak Press and feel confident depending upon them when it comes to the decisions I make for my baby. This book is a wonderful addition to their collection. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for expectant moms! July 7, 2010

By keris

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is my second pregnancy and I wish this book would have been published when I was pregnant with my first!!! Other books overwhelmed me, but not this one. I absolutely love how the information is presented. I particularly like how they have the question answer format. It is clear, concise and easy to understand. This book covers everything I have had questions/concerns about regarding my pregnancy. I have found it so helpful that I bought copies for all of my pregnant friends. If you are pregnant you must get this book...it helps a ton!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is so helpful!!!! June 2, 2010

By A. Wilson

Format:Paperback

I really like this book. She makes me laugh time & time again! Who knew pregnancy could be so funny? It has made me feel more laid back about my pregnancy and not nearly as scared as I was before. I can't wait to check out her other books, especially Baby Bargains. That sounds like some great info that I will be needing here shortly. :) I have learned many things that I have not been able to find anywhere else. She de-bunks all sorts of wives tales and myths. This book is a must read for the pregnant woman. You won't be sorry.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST HAVE BOOK FOR PREGNANCY June 27, 2010

By NRS

Format:Paperback

This book is a MUST HAVE resource for any expectant mother. There are so many questions one has during the 40 weeks of pregnancy. To have all those answers at hand by your side in the form of Expecting 411 is amazing. I have found no other book on the market like this. It manages to clearly, concisely answer every question during pregnancy you might have. It's straight to the point with no medical jargon (that's only understandable by a medical practitioner or Latin speaker). Dr H shares her experience and knowledge in a no frills, yet user friendly way. I would recommend this book to any first time expectant mother, as well as women who have done this before. This book was invaluable during my pregnancy. All those little and large questions that come up in the middle of the night can be answered instantly without waiting to call your doctor in the morning. And even questions you might not think of are answered. Don't waste your money on any other pregnancy books like i did. This has all the answers you need!!!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book - lots of info! October 22, 2012

By uscsgal

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Am expecting my first child and haven't had much experience/knowledge about pregnancies. I'm one of those people who would rather search things on the web than to buy a book, but then I realized I didn't know what all to search! Very glad I got this. The book breaks down pregnancies into what to experience by the trimester, what's normal (vs abnormal), medical tests you will have, nutrition guidance, etc. Would definitely recommend for other first time mothers or even someone just wanting to learn more about pregnancies.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best pregnancy book ever. August 6, 2010

By Danielle Jones

Format:Paperback

This book covers everything you could ever want to know about your pregnancy . . . and some things you didn't even KNOW you wanted to know! Expecting 411 is easy to read, has a great format, and the advice and information comes across like it's from your best girlfriend. A very knowedgable and experienced best girlfriend! From the most benign question I had (Do I take Tylenol or Advil during my pregnancy?) to the most "out-there" (Can I get a tattoo or piercing while I'm pregnant?) this book had an answer. Put's that other "What to expect . . ." book to shame. Trust me, if there's something you want to know while you're pregnant . . . you'll find the answer in this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for pregnancy!! June 29, 2010

By JLC

Format:Paperback

A wonderful book full of clear answers to almost any questions that come up during pregnancy. Loved this book. It covers everything an expectant mother needs to know. Highly recommended.