How many books about being pregnant and parenting have you read?

[robinpud]

I read one elderly Miriam stoppard book about what happens at each stage whilst being pregnant, then just had the baby.
I've never read a parenting book, apart from idle flicking thorugh toddler taming when the youngest is being a devil.
Not sure if I am reckless, conceited or bone idle. Other people seem to know vast amounts about different gurus. I know more about Hello and Ok
What did /do you read? Do they help or make you feel crap?

in the early stages of pg with DS1 I used to go into a local bookshop and have a browse through one of the pg books (have no idea who's it was) to find out what was happening - it was the only decent access I had to "what's happening with you/your body/your baby" with him) - in Zim -.

DS2 I read lots of baby magazines - DS3.......ermm came on here

about five - didn't rate any except baby whisperer

oh, and what to expert when you're expecting - encyclopaedic, and great for worriers

expect - expert must be Freudian slip

too many

most were shite and went straight back to the library
chucked 'what to expect' in the recycling, it was out of date, patronising and in some places plain wrong

the NHS book and How Not To Be A Perfect Mother were the most use, also the child development textbook my mum lent me.

I second too many. They are often vague and contradictory, even on matters of supposed fact. Just read one. If you have to.

Do the men ever read any ?

I've read loads, and I also went meta and read the Christina Hardyment book about the history of childcare manuals, Dream Babies.

Hurly I love the fact that they are contradictory! Whatever you do you can find someone to agree with you.

TBH if I want advice, though, I go to my mum/my MIL/Mumsnet.