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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

can anyone recommend a pregnancy "bible"?

60 replies

Caz10 · 06/04/2007 20:00

I don't want to spend a fortune, but am clueless so need something quite comprehensive, and was also thinking that 2 books might be best to see if any advice differs etc. Can anyone recommend any good titles? Thanks!

OP posts:
Swizzler · 06/04/2007 20:01

What about getting one from the library? Or a selection - of you find one really useful you can buy it

JoanCrawford · 06/04/2007 20:03

It was a while ago now, but when I was pregnant the book, 'What to Expect When You Are Expecting' was my bible. It answered every question that I wanted answering.

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 06/04/2007 20:03

Um, Mumsnet of course. Active convos and the archives. Will tell you everything you need to know.

JoanCrawford · 06/04/2007 20:04

Yes, that's true! Wish I'd found mn whilst I was pregnant.

Pruni · 06/04/2007 20:06

Message withdrawn

sfxmum · 06/04/2007 20:07

i had the miriam stoppard one which i liked, but as i understand it not for everyone and the rough guide to pregnancy and birth (kaz cooke) which made me laugh a lot

mummytosteven · 06/04/2007 20:08

None of the books are perfect - as each PG and baby are different after all. But... I would also suggest What to Expect, as it has lots and lots of useful Q & As (but bear in mind it's pretty much a transliteration of a US book, which has different systems, use of doctors as opposed to mws etc) and it's a bit overly earnest at times. Then maybe a jollier PG one such as Rough Guide to PG or Best Friend's Guide. Don't waste too much time on the PG books - instead I would start looking at baby books - as it's the last thing you will feel like doing with a newborn! Also if you intend to breastfeed, do some reading up about that, it's not always straightforward for many women.

pistachio · 06/04/2007 20:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Coolmama · 06/04/2007 20:08

I am a big fan of "Birth and Beyond" by Dr Yehudi Gordan - I really didn't need another book - had the Rough Guide too which was really entertaining - and I loved the whole "fruit" comparison - PMSL

tinkerbellhadpiles · 06/04/2007 20:08

I'd recommend you don't buy any books actually, they are all bloody frightening and make you worry about stuff that won't happen.

However I particularly enjoyed 'Stand and Deliver: and other great ways to give birth' for that aspect of proceedings

tinkerbellhadpiles · 06/04/2007 20:08

I'd recommend you don't buy any books actually, they are all bloody frightening and make you worry about stuff that won't happen.

However I particularly enjoyed 'Stand and Deliver: and other great ways to give birth' for that aspect of proceedings

RedFraggle · 06/04/2007 20:09

Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Dr Glade Curtis and Judith Schuler.

I read it all through my first pregnancy and dug it back out again this time around. Really good book. It was £10.99 in Borders in when I got it in 2004....

I had a few books during my first pg but this is the only one that I have bothered with this time around.

misdee · 06/04/2007 20:11

i think you shoyuld get the mumsnet book 'moms on pregnancy' i think its called

linjasmom · 06/04/2007 20:13

I had What to expect and I think it is great. The serious stuff is in an extra section and if you don't need it, don't read it. That's what I did, worked really well. Good luck!

linjasmom · 06/04/2007 20:14

and mumsnet, of course!

Pruni · 06/04/2007 20:18

Message withdrawn

LittleEasterLapin · 06/04/2007 20:22

Another What to Expect fan... also had What to Expect in the First Year and have just bought What to Expect from your Toddler! I liked the down to earth, non lecturing approach.

My friend sent me this from the States - despite the title, it is very very funny!

BizzyDint · 06/04/2007 20:24

pregnancy and childbirth by sheila kitzinger, as well as best feeding by renfrew et al and then the no cry sleep solution by pantley. those 3 plus mumsnet and kellymom are all you need.

RedFraggle · 06/04/2007 20:27

lol Pruni!
Just shows why they need so many types of book in the shops eh?!
I really like it - I can't be doing with the scary pictoral ones so I liked the fact that this one was low on images but high on simple facts.

badharry · 06/04/2007 20:28

I've got a great one called Blooming Birth - really positive and helpful, but not that much about preg, mostly about how to have a good birth, but it does have loads of really sensible advice.
What to expect is pretty useful, but I would just ignore all the stuff about food and diet - no one could stick to their preganancy diet!!
I just get stuff out of the library too - got the rough guide out and would go along with what everyone else has said about it.

Pruni · 06/04/2007 20:31

Message withdrawn

MorocconOil · 06/04/2007 20:32

Had What to Expect, Rough Guide to Pregnancy, and Sheila Kitzinger with first 2 pregnancies. Got 'Expecting, everything you need to know about pregnancy and labour' Anna McGrail during my 3rd pregnancy. I think this was excellent especially the birth section. I had an emergency section with my third after 2 normal births one at home. This book was so informative and reassuring, I highly recommend it.

dandasmummy · 06/04/2007 20:33

I'd say The Rough Guide To Pregnancy. Have bought it for all my pregnant friends, and they're doing the same for theirs..

Kentyville · 06/04/2007 21:37

I bought What To Expect and also a different 'Your Pregnancy Week by Week' this one by Lesley Regan. It's hard back with colour pics - a bit more expensive but I really like it. The author is a professor of obstetrics and a mother of twins and she combines the professional with the maternal perspectives to explain things really clearly and straightforwardly. Although excellent, What To Expect occasionally made me anxious - Your Pregnancy is always reassuring and has helped me keep anxieties in perspective. As two books to buy they compliment each other really well.

chonky · 06/04/2007 21:39

ANother vote for The Rough Guide to Pregnancy. Any others I picked up were cack in comparison.