My Boys Can Swim!: The Official Guy's Guide to Pregnancy [Paperback]

Ian Davis (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 22, 1999

Finally—A Pregnancy Book That Won't Put Men to Sleep
My Boys Can Swim! tells real men everything they really want to know about pregnancy, such as: How much is it going to cost? Why does your wife primp before seeing her doctor when she hasn't put a stitch of make-up on for you in months? And, most important, what's it going to do to your sex life?
This rollicking, laugh-out-loud book is for expectant dads in search of bottom-line pregnancy information, without all that boring touchy-feely stuff you find in those books written for women. Inside you'll discover helpful—and hilarious—information and insights on such topics as:
The Maternity Wardrobe: "A key part of the maternity wardrobe is maternity underwear—parachute-like undies big enough to fit an NFL defensive lineman."
Baby Names: "Don't give your kids mockable names like Thaddeus, which is Greek for 'I'm a dork and should be beaten up.'"
The Birth: "No one told me it's normal that babies' heads can be misshapen at birth. I was convinced that my wife gave birth to Veldar, the conehead."

Editorial Reviews

Review

Finally—A Pregnancy Book That Won't Put Men to Sleep

From the Inside Flap

Finally?A Pregnancy Book That Won't Put Men to Sleep
My Boys Can Swim! tells real men everything they really want to know about pregnancy, such as: How much is it going to cost? Why does your wife primp before seeing her doctor when she hasn't put a stitch of make-up on for you in months? And, most important, what's it going to do to your sex life?
This rollicking, laugh-out-loud book is for expectant dads in search of bottom-line pregnancy information, without all that boring touchy-feely stuff you find in those books written for women. Inside you'll discover helpful?and hilarious?information and insights on such topics as:
The Maternity Wardrobe: "A key part of the maternity wardrobe is maternity underwear?parachute-like undies big enough to fit an NFL defensive lineman."
Baby Names: "Don't give your kids mockable names like Thaddeus, which is Greek for 'I'm a dork and should be beaten up.'"
The Birth: "No one told me it's normal that babies' heads can be misshapen at birth. I was convinced that my wife gave birth to Veldar, the conehead."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1 edition (September 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761521674
• ISBN-13: 978-0761521679
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.3 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (243 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,507 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Fatherhood
  • #44 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Parenting & Families
  • #48 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Women's Health > Pregnancy & Childbirth

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

559 of 572 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An ideal gift for the pregnant dad June 25, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

As a practicing OB, I'm often struck at just how disengaged men can be when their wives are pregnant. I've always encouraged my patients to have their husbands join them on visits, and after over 10 years in practice, I've had mixed results. But my track record has improved significantly since this very funny book appeared in my office several months ago. What I like about the author's approach is how he conveys useful information through humorous anecdotes, which allows men to digest the normally mundane and boring aspects of pregnancy in a manner that is fun and interesting. At first I was reluctant to recommend a humor book, since pregnancy is serious business. But the reaction of my patients has been nearly universally positive - they love this book. It is honest yet irreverant, and not contrived or corny like so many other books for Dads. I've bought several copies for patients myself, and on this latest trip to Amazon.com, I thought it would be worth passing on the good word to others out there seeking something for men to read (and enjoy) so they can become a more involved partner during their wives pregnancy.

187 of 193 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars He knows more than I thought... August 19, 2006

By melo-d

Format:Paperback

A few weeks ago, my husband turned to me out of the blue and remarked smugly, "I can't believe how some guys don't know anything about pregnancy."

I wasn't sure how to respond. I hadn't been very impressed with his knowledge to date. I was 3 months along and I had read several of the books designed for women.

But his cousin had given him this book, and the guy who wouldn't look sideways at "What to Expect..." was making his way through "My Boys Can Swim."

Soon he started coming up with some good stuff. When I discovered my favorite jeans uncomfortably tight, he gave me a hug and promised that I'm going to look great with the big belly. When he caught me examining myself sideways in the mirror, trying in vain to suck in my growing pouch, he said, "Enjoy your pregnant body." When my emotions got the best of me and I dove in for an argument, he gracefully disengaged me.

And the real kicker came yesterday. As I was directing him to steer clear of an area of foul smelling air, I admitted to having what seemed to be an extra supply of gas lately. "Oh, the book said that would happen!" he responded cheerfully as he quickly scurried by.

Buy it, and leave it in his favorite bathroom.

122 of 136 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the only book I could get my husband to read November 18, 2002

By Roseanne Miske VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the only book I could get my husband to read about pregnancy. But this is written in a style that kept him interested, and I even heard him lauging several times. Very well written!

109 of 124 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Dont waste your time - this book is worthless!!! June 30, 2006

By Scribbler at Heart

Format:Paperback

I don't know what everyone loves about this book?! Yeah, I thought the title was funny, but boy was I wrong about its contents! As an expectant father who has read quite a few books meant specifically for fathers, I was expecting a bit more from this one. What I came to find out was that unfortunately, the title of this book is its only redeeming feature.

This book is neither informational nor funny. Its brevity in actually providing useful information was appalling. Do they think we are Neanderthals who aren't interested in having a positive and interactive child birth experience with our wives? Beyond this, the book is completely chauvinistic towards women in every way possible. It does not teach men to enjoy and learn with their partners during the pregnancy, it tells them how to "deal" with their hormonal wives and ways to avoid getting themselves involved.

After reading this book, I was actually offended to think that anyone would consider men in this light. As a man who is interested in his wife and in learning about his yet unborn child, this all too common outlook about men and pregnancy is exactly what we do not need on our bookshelves.

Forget this book altogether and check out one that will actually be funny, informative, and teach you a thing or two! My favorite book is one in the series by Armin Brott. He is a great writer with lots of great resources and insight into what it is to be an expecting father. Try starting with The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-To-Be. You will not be disappointed!

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review - Rottentomatoes.com June 5, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Pregnancy books generally cater to women -- but what about the father-to-be? Author Ian Davis remembers telling his wife one day during her pregnancy that he'd rather get root canal surgery than read one more excruciating page of what to Expect When You're Expecting. For him, like most men, the only interesting part of pregnancy is what happens before the egg is fertilized. With that in mind, he wrote My Boys Can Swim, a wry, witty, endlessly entertaining book that address the concerns of every dad-to-be. Inside are unique guy insights you'll never find in those other pregnancy books, such as: -- You'll lose count of the number of strangers that will see your wife naked. Okay, it's medical and all. Still, you'll swear there were guys coming in and out of the room just to catch a peek. -- Lamaze is just some fancy French word that doesn't mean much of anything. If the class was called "Coping with the Excruciating Pains of Childbirth, " who would go? -- If you're worried about your wife gaining too much weight during pregnancy, don't sweat it. Fat and happy is always better than thin and cranky. -- And many more!