can anyone recommend a pregnancy "bible"?

[Caz10]

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!

I read the Pregnancy Bible and glanced at the Lesley Regan book which I wished i'd bought. Someone lent me the 'What to Expect when you're expecting' and I found it too confusing - dry and dull. I also foudn the book that the hospital gave me on pregnancy to be useful even though it looked a bit outdated.

I enjoyed 'rough guide' too. very, very funny. the whole 'it's a whopper' (said by midwife, ANTE-natally) was soooooo funny and accurate.

A work friend passed on 'A rough guide to pregnancy' as she went on maternity leave. She thought I might need it soon!! Within a month I was expecting!! Now I know it wasnt the book, but what a good book to have. Good also to hand over the funny bits for the future Dad to read. 'What to expect when you are expecting' was like studying for my degree again, I found no enjoyment in it.

The 'Rough Guide' Rocks !!

Fantastic book, have lent it to many a friend ....

The Rough Guide gets my vote. I had that and "What to Expect" for DS, but only really used The Rough Guide for DD

Your pregnancy week by week by Professor Lesley Regan is really good. It's not scared to go into detail, and it doesn't talk down to you like some of the books. It's also good to have book written by someone who is both a Mum and one of the leading experts in her field, so you get the expert analysis leavened with practical experience

there is one called your pregnancy bible by Dr ann dears i had that and miriam stoppard conception pregnancy and birth both very informative,week by week break downs i thought they were both v v good.

I've got "What to expect" and a Miriam Stoppard one but I've found them both to be a little cold in their approach. A friend has let me borrow her copy of "Stand And Deliver" by Emma Mahoney which I absolutely love. It's all about being empowered during birth and doing what you can to make birth as easy for yourself as possible. I'd highly recommend it.

Just read as much as you can! Beg, borrow - maybe not steal! Mums Net is so much more useful if you have background info so when you ask questions you can be more specific and can better judge the answers you get.
Second hand book stores have heaps of books at tiny prices. Also, as you can see, it's a real horses for courses thing, although I think it's actually a good thing to read books that you don't really agree with - it helps you clarify your own approach to the whole thing.