Tell all pregnancy book you recommend

[Justacameragirl]

Hi ladies,

I am sort of looking for the "tell all" book on being pregnant and wanted to know if some experienced moms can give me some recommendations. Thanks so much!!!

I'm not an experienced mum, being a first timer myself (18+5, so excited!) but there are a few books I like. The Mumsnet Guide to Pregnancy, of course which is v. sympathetic and amusing.

What to Expect When You're Expecting which I find is a good reference in some ways.

Ina May Gaskin's The Art of Giving Birth

Hope that helps somewhat.

Both books I bought were shit so I won't recommend. So was the one I was given by a well meaning friend.

The best information resource I had was mumsnet I would not have had the great birth experience I had without the knowledge and support from here.

I like Yehudi Gordon's Birth and Beyond. Covers pregnancy, birth, and first 9 months of baby's life, plus has big medical reference section in the back that covers all ailments/conditions that could affect mother and baby. Very non-judgmental/non-prescriptive - lays out all the different options available for you without being biased.

If you have a DP get him this book its informative and easy to read while still giving in-depth info in a man-friendly light-hearted way, also helpful for you too.

I'm still looking for a book aimed at women as i couldn't get past the first chapter of any i looked at.

Anyone else out there have a good suggestion?

I liked Blooming Birth, is focused on birth and recovery with a quick trot through pregancy issues.

I loved Christine Hill's pregnancy guide as its thought provoking and not as patronising as some.

Just going to echo ethelina's post - this one is great for men, in fact, I read it too!!

I've been given "What to expect when you're expecting" and it seems pretty good, that was recommended by others to me also.

But Mumsnet is best for info!!

I have What to Expect (which is fine but a bit patronising in my view) and I also have Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Prof Regan. Prof Regan's book seems to me to be really good. It's full of facts, which my DH loves, and seems to give sensible practical advice as well as the scientific stuff.

I only bought 'What to expect...' but to be honest I found it really dull. All the juicy stuff I've found here on mums net!

the rough guide to pregnancy and birth by Kaz Cooke is really good. informative and a lovely read as it contains her week by week diary of pregnancy. some really amusing illustrations too. highly recommended
I'm a 3rd timer but still find it really helpful.

I have the pregnancy bible which I like as it is factual- the other side I get from here

I also found 'What to Expect' somewhat patronising. For something lighter, try Zoe Williams' 'Bring it on Baby'. Not a lot in the way of practical advice but I laughed out loud throughout and recognised a lot of myself!

I hated WTE, Very patronising, very alarmist and very American; mine said updated for UK market but it really really wasn't.

I hated "What to Expect" too. "Your Pregnancy Bible" is good - factual, covers a lot in quite a bit of detail, pregnancy week by week, well illustrated.

I really enjoyed Kaz Cookes book as well and its my third time as well

I second pinkpeony for Birth and Beyond by Yehudi Gordon. I refer to it for everything, it's sympathetic but never patronising, and absolutely full of information. I've had a few others but none compared.

I like Dr Miriam Stoppard's book 'Conception, Pregnancy & Birth' for good quality basic info and practical suggestions (such as birthing positions). I've been tempted to get the Prof Regan book but I think it's got a lot of similarities.

There isn't such a thing - they're all awful and patronising and assume you've had a lobotomy as soon as you got pregnant. I must have had a look at most things (and I posted a thread on here a few months ago asking for recommendations) and in the end I bought a first-year midwifery textbook for the basic facts, and relied on Mumsnet for everything else! Having said that, I have no first-hand knowledge of either the Zoe Williams or the Kaz Cooke, so they may be better than the rest.

I really really enjoyed The Best Friend's Guide to Pregnancy by Vicky Iovine

It funny, down to earth, reassuring and tells it like it is - I read it so much in first PG and again in this pg.

She also does a Best Friend's Guide to Motherhood and toddlers

I love her outlook and can't recommend it enough!

I would second Birth & Beyond and the Mumsnet guide - neither is patronising and B&B is hugely detailed.

I would also recommend:
Jenny Smith, Your Body, Your Baby, Your Birth - written by a midwife, has a sensible and practical approach
Emma Mahony, Stand and Deliver - not a pregnancy guide so much, but full of positive birth stories in different situations
Anna McGrail and Daphne Metland, Expecting - another really detailed and non-patronising guide with week-by-week detail

WTE is a bit annoying and I would avoid anything by Zita West - I went off her when I read her view that TTC women shouldn't use tampons during their period as it interferes with their chi...

The Rough Guide to Pregnancy and Mumsnet!

Hated WTE - patronizing and UK editions not really edited for UK practices.

Hated the Joolz Oliver one.

I thought Zoe Williams' book 'Bring in On Baby,' was hilarious and moving. I read it in one sitting. But it's not guide, per se, or a week by week account of what to expect like WTE (which I really don't mind, actually). It's more a collection of essays on key topocs - but they are an excellent read

I wanted to throw things at the Jools Oliver book. Or possibly just throw the book. And don't even get me started on Mylene "I'm a professional sleb-mum" Klass' drivel book.

Rough Guide to Pregnancy, can't recommend it enough. Not patronising at all and quite entertaining while still having all the important facts & figures to answer niggling questions.

Also I got mine second hand from someone on Ebay for only a few pounds.

think it was called my best freinds guide to pregnancy, bloody fab!