Pregnancy Books

[IfAtFirstUDontSucceed]

Spookily, I have just noticed another thread about an MNer getting freaked out by her pregancy book while I've just been browsing though Amazon.. This is my first pregnacy, and I think I'm aware of the basic things just by reading some of the threads on here. However, would you recommend investing in a book? if so, is there any out there which prove to be quite popular and worthwhile? Also, what are your thoughts on some sort of book for DH, from a blokes point of view - I don't think he's as clued up as he could be :)

What to expect when your expecting is very good.

My DH used to read that book too, he would read out symptoms to me or vice versa, it keep him involved to read up on what was happening as it was happening.

Was also going to recommend what to expect when your expecting.

I lent my out and will be re buying a copy when/if I get pregnant again

I loved Birth and Beyond and recommend it to everyone who asks.

My DH had this book, it's pretty good and I've even read it myself a couple of times as it's very enjoyable.

I really liked Your Pregnancy Bible by Ann Deans. DH read First Time Parents by Miriam Stoppard and From Lad to Dad (forgot by who, but google it please).

I have this one www.amazon.co.uk/Queen-Charlottes-Hospital-Guide-Pregnancy/dp/0091815959

It's quite old now, and not in line with more 'modern' books I have seen, but contains everything, and I really like the week by week guide. I was lent it by a work colleague, as the other book I had (a Miriam Stoppard one) just didn't seem to be in a format that suited me, seemed to jump from one thing to the next, and focus more on generalisations rather than facts.

I have also heard what to expect recommended, on the basis of that we have bought the 'what to expect the first year' book.

D

My DH and I have just read Pregnancy for Men by Mark Woods - really clear and funny at the same time, would highly recommend it.

I would also recommend Your Pregnancy Bible by Ann Deans. I think it's very thorough and could just spend hours reading and re-reading it. I love the week by week guide with pictures, it's fascinating!

My MIL bought me the Day by Day pregnancy book by Dr Maggie Blott and am loving it, its nice to have something relevant to read each day or what I normally do is read that week's pages at the start of each week.
My sis also got my DH the Pregnancy for Men book which he has read out a couple extracts of and is very amusing.

I read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth and it absolutely helped me decide what kind of birth I wanted. I surprised myself and went for natural - had an 8 hour labour and delivered a 9 pounder with no drugs Before reading that book I had been really scared about the whole idea and just wanted a cesarian so I could put it all in someone elses hands. Its very much focused on the birth, unlike other pregnancy books which deal with all aspects and squish the birth bit into one chapter.

Its a fantastic book, every pregnant woman should read it.

Kaz Cooke's rough guide to pregnancy and birth is easy to read and has a humourous approach.

I also have a copy of your Pregnancy Bible by Ann Dears which gives good all round coverage and am now re-reading as i'm expecting DC2.

This time round I am also reading
Second Pregnancy: Your Pregnancy Bible
by Penny Preston.

I've been using Birth and Beyond which I've really enjoyed - very gentle!

I also liked Kaz Cooke "Rough Guide to Pregnancy" used it for first baby and now expecting 3rd!!.

Birth and beyond has a lot of b+w photos of naked women in child birth and breast feeding- I found this a bit much in the early phase of my pregnancy. Kaz Cooke's book is funny but not detailed enough. As your pregnancy progresses you want a more serious guide to what is going on with your body and the baby. I found the Day by day pregnancy book by Maggie Blott v. good. The images for the baby developing each day are amazing and the information is presented in a concise way - so there is a lot of information but in small chunks. This was the book DH actually looked at because he could see the connection between each phase of my pregnancy and the information in the book. He wouldn't sit down and read a whole pregnancy book at once - so Day by Day was good for him. There is also a good section on different conditions during pregnancy and after the birth at the end of the book - v. helpful.