What to Expect When You're Expecting: 4th Edition (Paperback)

~ Heidi Murkoff (Author), (Author)
Key Phrases: prenatal practitioner, call your practitioner, subchorionic bleed, United States, Braxton Hicks, Expect the First Year (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 616 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company; 4th edition (April 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761148574
• ISBN-13: 978-0761148579
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (187 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #204 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #1 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Pregnancy & Childbirth
  #2 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Family Health
  #2 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Women's Health

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

302 of 385 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars To All the Expecting Fathers ..., May 31, 2008

By	Ron Sullivan (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Guys ... consider this a warning; this will be the worst book that your significant other can read and will make your life utterly miserable for the next nine months. It's been over four years since I had to deal with this serie's 3rd edition and I still can't stand the sight of it.

It may have been intended as a self-help guide, but its alarmist tone and condescending attitude leads this to act more as a bible for every worst-case scenario imaginable. After spending a few hours perusing this book's contents, your wife, girlfriend, whomever will become so overworked and paranoid that every little ache, pain, and irritation will become a sign of the baby being born with a forked tongue and three heads. The diet your partner will be instructed to keep is impossible for any human being alive to follow. She will be told to try and avoid ... damn near everything it seems like.

I was also incensed that after reading up on the author, all of this "wonderful" information was being brought to me by someone with NO MEDICAL BACKGROUND. If I'm going to want advice on dealing with pregnancy issues, wouldn't I want to consult an expert (i.e. someone with a degree)? Murkoff is no more an expert then I am ...

I'll be blunt, WTEWYE seems to be an EXTREMELY popular gift for someone who's pregnant for the first time and it's probably unavoidable. I came into three copies without any effort at all. I'm not going to stand here and pretend I know of a better source for information either, because (outside of ... oh I don't know ... a doctor) I don't. All I know is that if THIS is the definitive volume on the pregnancy experience, then God help us all.

I absolutely guarantee you, someone your partner knows WILL buy this for her. Your mission is to "lose it." If you're already stuck with it and you can't hide it or burn it, at least do your best to temper its pages with as much perspective as you possibly can. Again, for a first-time mom-to-be, who, frankly, is probably a bit nervous anyway about all the changes her body is going through, all this volume is going to accomplish is completely freaking her out.

Batten down the hatches and break out the antacid my friends, it's gonna be a long nine months

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Revised Title: What PROBLEMS to Expect When You're Expecting, November 13, 2008

By	Z. Lane (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After reading this book, I am amazed there are any successful, healthy pregnancies at all. This book has kept me on edge for the entire duration of the pregnancies with its monthly list of complications. I would have definitely been happier with a book that outlined all of the things that you personally can do to ensure a healthy pregnancy, and focus less on possile complications which are beyond your control!!!

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The classic guide to pregnancy., April 16, 2009

By	Heidi Dexter (Sunny Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are looking for a thorough pregnancy book, this has to be it. When I got it from my doctor (he gives one out to each new, expectant mom) I was suprised at how big it was. Wow! A lot of reading material. However, this one covers just about everything you want to know about pregnacny and then some. There was also some stuff in here that I particularily didn't want to know!! However, it's a good, solid read and one of the best. A classic. I also liked You Know You're Pregnant When. Reflections on the Longest Nine Months of My Life as it was funnier and lighter.