Customer Reviews

Great Expectations: Your All-in-One Resource for Pregnancy & Childbirth

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is the most informative, positive, and non-scary pregnancy book I've read. Every other pregnancy book I've read (including What to Expect When You're Expecting) made me cry after every paragraph as it detailed all the horrible things that a woman can do to permanently damage her baby, all the awful ways a woman's body will be disfigured by pregnancy and childbirth, and how a woman's life will be completely changed, not for the better, once the child is born. This book, on the other hand, presents information about pregnancy and childbirth in a wholly positive manner, even when detailing the potential pitfalls of pregnancy and childbirth. The information in this book is current and up-to-date, and the book is very well-written. I would recommend the book just for the positive and reassuring tone alone, and all the excellent information in the book is a bonus. Once you read this book, you won't need any other.

I am a childbirth educator and mom of four kids. I was delighted to find this book to add to my lending library for childbirth class clients. It is so much more empowering than books like "What to Expect" or "Your Pregnancy Week-by-week". I like the way that procedures that tend to be standard (eg. external fetal monitoring in labor) are described, and the evidence against their routine use is also provided in a thoughtful but not damning way. It is refreshing to find a mainstream book that lists Certified Professional Midwives alonside CNMs and OBs as possible caregivers, and describes out-of-hospital birth as the safe and reasonable option it is, whilst not condemning hospital birth. I think this book would be a valuable resource for any parents-to-be who want to read about the full spectrum of options available at each step of their journey, without feeling judged for the choices they ultimately make.

My favorite section is "A Final Word" on p451, where the authors so accurately describe the challenging transition to parenting and emphasize that you will be the perfect parent for your baby. Definitely a book written by moms for moms!

When I learned that I was pregnant, I ran out and bought quite a few pregnancy guides. Of them all, Great Expectations has been the best hands down. It gives you a WEEKLY run-down of how the baby is developing as well as what is going on in your own body. It covers pregnancy in far greater detail than any of the other books I purchased. I highly recommend this book!

After receiving several books at the beginning of my first pregnancy, I quickly let all others fall to the side and focused on this book. My husband and I loved reading the weekly segments together. There is even advice for dads including explanations on how the mother is feeling emotionally. I personally loved that there was so much post-delivery information on everything from choosing a walker to the age to start giving solid foods. I benefitted from the detailed section on breastfeeding. This book is the perfect gift for anyone who is expecting!

As a childbirth educator/doula and trainer for both, I will be referring this spectacular book to my trainees and to all of the expectant families with which I work. Clear and concise, current and objective, this book is the first to contain such complete information!

I can't believe one person called this hard to read. This is the easiest-to-read pregnancy books I've read. The major section covers each week from conception to labor, and there are many drawings of fetal growth as well as tons of practical information on what to expect and what to do each week. Everything is neatly organized and the font is pleasant on the eyes. I find the information complete and for the most part accurate. The only thing I dislike is the book is too thick, with the side effect that it makes pregnancy seem more scary and complicated than it really is.

This is my bible. It is an excellent resource that is very well organized and PACKED with practical information.

When I found out I was pregnant a few weeks ago I started reading EVERYTHING. So far, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, in tone, organization, and informativeness has it over all the other books. When I have a question about my body or my baby, I don't want jokes and cute puns, I don't need wisecracks, and I don't want to be talked down to. A new arrival on the scene, this book is the antidote for the reader who doesn't want a "Girlfriend" when she needs an expert.

I have this book as well as "What to Expect When Expecting" and I find this book to be so much better as it gives a week to week breakdown of what is happening to both mom and baby. I pick up this book each week as my pregnancy progresses and even though not every issue listed in each week's summary necessarily happens to me, it's good to know what I "could" expect. I would highly recommend this book to any expecting mom!

Because this is set up field guide style, it is easy to navigate. The format makes more sense than comparable books that are based solely on week by week growth. The writing style is easy to digest - not too formal or casual. Because it is written by both a doctor and midwife, the content seems more comprehensive and holistic (without being "out there") than similar books I've read. It could be improved if it had more information and drawings about the week by week growth.