The Pregnancy Book: A Month-By-Month Guide

by William Sears, Martha Sears, Linda Hughey Holt

Book Overview

America's foremost baby and childcare experts tell you what to expect, month by month, from conception through birth In this uniquely authoritative and comprehensive guide, Dr. Bill and Martha Sears, the pediatrics specialists whose books on birth, babies, and parenting have become widely praised bestsellers, team up with one of America's leading obstetricians. The result: the definitive book on pregnancy for expectant parents today. The Pregnancy...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316779148
• ISBN13: 9780316779142
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A Wonderful, Affirming Book!

This book is the ONLY one I needed, although I had others including the terrible "What to Expect" book. This book is a treat to read. Dr. Sears takes a positive approach so there's none of that alarmist tone that tends to find its way into so many books and conversations around the pregnant woman. By the time it was "D-Day" for me, I truly believed that my delivery would go well and that I was ready for it. As a first time mom, I needed the affirmations found throughout this book that my body would do what it was supposed to do, and that I would be strong enough to go with whatever the day brought. The emphasis is on non-intervention and "natural" childbirth, but all of the possible interventions are discussed as well. Dr. Sears also writes about how interventions happen to the unsuspecting mom, and how to avoid them. I found it very empowering to have some information to bring to my doctor when discussing issues such as epidurals and episiotomy. I felt my positions regarding these personal choices were more respected because I had the information to back up my feelings. The monthly format of the book is great. It's one of the few books I've found which treats the ninth month as the 8 week "month" it really can be. I highly recommend this book to others and think it would make a great gift, too, since it's not preachy.

Excellent resource; great information!

I found The Pregnancy Book when I was six months pregnant for the fourth time. Having been through the experience three times already, I had read many books on the subject and had a pretty good idea of what to expect. The Pregnancy Book was by far the best book on the subject that I read. It is full of useful information that can be used on a day to day basis during your pregnancy. I was able to find an answer to every question I could think of - Why do I have headaches? What causes my ankles to swell? What does the baby look like and do at three months? six months? eight? What I found to be the most useful was the detailed description of what happens inside of me during the delivery of the baby. After reading the section on labor and delivery, I had a much better understanding of how my body works with the baby during the delivery process. I was able to use some of the techniques described in the book during my own delivery and it made the delivery of my nine and a half pound son much easier. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the whole process - whether this is your first time or fourth. I also recommend We're Pregnant! for a couple's viewpoint on the whole pregnancy and delivery proces, and A Child Is Born for great pictures of the developing baby.

A positive approach to pregnancy!

Throw away or return "What to Expect When You're Expecting!" "What to Expect When You're Expecting", provides information on what to expect during your appointment and then goes on to tell you all the NEGATIVE things that can happen during your pregnancy. It really doesn't provide much information on what is happening (or what to expect for that matter) with your body during each month and what is happening with baby. Leg cramps in the 7th month and what to do about them? Buy The Pregnancy book and you'll find the answer!The Pregnancy Book provides comprehensive information on questions to ask a potential OB/GYN, GP, and/or Midwife. The detailed descriptions of what is happening with your body during each month and potential "side affects" are invaluable, as well as the information on baby's development. The detailed birthing options are comprehensive and I believe, unbiased. The ninth month covers quite a bit of information on labor and delivery, but I do recommend The Birth Book as a detailed companion to The Pregnancy Book.

The intelligent woman's pregnancy book

Much better than the pregnancy "bible," What to Expect When You're Expecting. This is the one I refer to when I have questions. Gives very complete information for each month of pregnancy without being cutesy or condescending like so many other pregnancy books. This isn't advice from "girlfriends," it's facts you can use, from doctors.

Excellent resource!

The Pregnancy Book is an excellent resource for anyone who is expecting - whether you're pregnant for the first time or the third time. The book walks you through each month of the pregnancy and describes what mom and baby should look like and feel like. Throughout the text, the actual thoughts and feelings of expectant moms appear in italics. I found these comments to be very comforting since many of them were similar to what I was feeling myself. At the end of each chapter, there are questions and answers. Again, I found myself relating to many of the questions that were asked. While providing a great deal of factual information, The Pregnancy Book also comes across as very personal and caring. It is a great companion book to We're Pregnant! which focuses on a real life couple as they experience life as expectant parents. The two books together give a true picture of what a woman goes through during a pregnancy. I found it reassuring to know I was in good company when it came to my thoughts, feelings and concerns.