Customer Reviews

What to Expect Gift Set : When You're Expecting & What to Expect the First Year

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Both of these books give you a wealth of information about what to expect both before and after your baby is born. The problem I have with them is that they are set up in a Q&A format. Some unnamed parent writes in with a question about their baby and the authors answer. Though this does cover many important topics, I was hoping for something more direct. For example, when I was wondering what the signs of teething were, I had to consult the index, which directed me to several sections that mentioned teething, but didn't spell out the information I was looking for. I found this to be a problem mostly in What to Expect the First Year. I didn't really have any complaints about What to Expect When You're Expecting. It's definitely one of, if not THE, best book out there about pregnancy. Buy it. Just don't get this boxed set. For information on you baby's first year, I'd recommend a different parenting book such as The Baby Book by Dr. Sears.

I am the mother of a beautiful one year old daughter AND a wonderful 17 year old son. Although this is my second time around, 17 years is a big time span! Both of these books have been read and re-read many times in our household. Perfect gift for any baby shower or new parents!!

I have kept the first "What to Expect when You're Expecting" book with me since my first pregnancy (more than 8 years ago!) and it reappears with each subsequent pregnancy. And of course the book "What to Expect the First Year" marked with notes from my first child appears shortly before each birth. I am now expecting our third (and LAST) child. I can't applaud this series enough! Every time I read these books I learn something new to assist with the daily tasks of growing, birthing, and raising children. My husband also enjoys reading these books right along with me. He has NEVER felt put down or left out-quite the opposite-the first book helps to explain all of the 'behind the scenes' changes so he better understands what I am going through while I still look 'normal.'

I have purchased these books numerous times as gifts for friends and family who are expecting-and I will continue to do so. While these books are NOT all-inclusive, and in no way replace qualified medical advice, they are a great resource for any expectant parents and/or parents of infants!

Congratulations to everyone who is reading this review who has just found out they are pregnant--you are in for the best time of your life!

This is my first pregnancy, and I currently live 1300 miles away from my mother, so I got this book because, well....lets face it long distance phone calls get expensive. I love it, and so does my husband. This book faces the reality of pregnancy, and is very reassuring (ex. wanting to know if it's normal for your back to hurt soooooo bad) I recommend it to anyone who is expecting, or trying to conceive.

It's a wonderful set but the "What to Expect" series is NOT a pregnancy "inspirational book", if you are looking for something with lots of pictures talking about your "pregnancy glow", don't get these books! This series is for moms with serious questions about pregnancy and child development. It can even be a bit scary at time because it will talk about all possible complications that can occour. It WILL answer ALL your questions, even those that you aren't comfortable asking your doctor or friends. It will touch on subjects that you never even knew about, will educate you like an "easy to read" text book would. If you want to have ALL your pregnancy and child development questions answered whitin ONE set, this is it! If you need to be told how beautiful and glowey you are during pregnancy, and the magic moment of birth...This is NOT a book for you. Go get a magazine instead.

I just had my first baby two months ago. My mother lives in another country, I have no sisters and nobody to talk to about being pregnant, giving birth or raising kids. Because of this, I was forced to go out and buy many books on the subject of motherhood. This book was not what I was looking for. The book does not cover certain topics about pregnancy or delivery in depth, I thought the book left alot of useful information out. I didn't think alot of the information was up to date and I was not impressed by any of it. Feeling desperate and not knowing what to expect, I turned to other books, which I really learned alot from. I will not recommend this book to anyone, but I will say that the following books educated me and were very useful, educational and inspirational to a new mom like me. The books I read and do recommend are:

1. The ABC's of prenatal Diagnosis. 2. 1000 Questions about your pregnancy. 3. 101 essential tips: childbirth.

Both of these books I found to be a great read while I was pregnant. What To Expect When Expecting gives a monthly view of what's going on with you and your baby, information for preconception, and labor and delivery information. It gives information on a variety of things dealing with pregnancy, from rare birth defects to morning sickness. There are great references to sources that you can look into for further information like La Leche League. What To Expect The First Year is also a great read and provides information about what's going on with baby, though, however, it is a large book with lots of valuable information, thus you might consider reading it before delivering the baby. But I do agree, these books do have a condescending tone to it, and I am a single teen mom and didn't enjoy the fact that the books refers to my partner as my "husband" whereas all other books of recent publication have replaced "husband" with "partner". The books also didn't provide me with much information dealing with the fact that I had a teen pregnancy, though there was lots of information with pregnancies over 35. Other than than those tidbits, I found these books to be a great source of information, though I wouldn't recommend it to those dealing with weak at heart pregnancies.

Especially if this is the first baby, I cannot recommend this set highly enough. I've had four so far, but even with my nursing/medical backround, I have relied on these books! They cover everything you could ever think to ask (plus a few things you probably hadn't thought of) in a positive and caring way. They really help you to RELAX about things that can be worrisome, but more importantly, the authors help you to become pro-active in taking the best possible care of first your baby-to-be, then your new little angel!

Great book!!! Couldn't do without it! All the detailed information one would need during every fathomable stage of pregnancy in great precision.

I read When You're Expecting during both my pregnancies. I am the proud mother of 2 girls, ages 13 and 2. These books are filled with valuable information and facts. I loved the week by week details on growth and development of both baby and mother during pregnancy in When You're Expecting. My younger sister is now pregnant with her first and I'm buying her this set as her first baby gift! It's a must read!