I ordered this book to get a good idea of what to expect during my wife's pregnancy. It's informative and easy to read.

Looking back at the 40 pregnancy and infant books we have, this is the one that I finished reading first.

This book offers the most practical advice in the entire spectrum of topics related to having a child, and what a father can do.

I have added more items to my ToDo list from this book, than from any other book. Although I read this book two years ago, I took the same ToDo list from my first child and copied it for my second. I just realized now, two years later, that this book was a key for me to be a successful father. Armin Brott helped me become a better father by adding more support to my gut feeling that I should try to be the best father I can be, and then gave me more ideas and ways to accomplish that.

If you are reading, Thanks Armin.

I read a lot of baby books in preparation for new baby - mostly from the library - and I can say that this is one of the books that I did end up buying to use as reference. It is well written and contains a lot of information in one place. Also nice to get a father's perspective.

The book is simplistic and preachy. More often than not, you're reading three pages about something that can be clearly stated in a paragraph. Equally often, that material seems misplaced (waiting until the sixth month to speculate about gender???) and thrown in there to thicken the book. I believe, with common-sense editing, this book could be less than fifty pages without sacrificing any content. The few things that I did learn I could have learned from several other books, along with a great deal more.

This book was one of the best books we got as expectant first time parents. A lot of the information in here you cannot find in the other books for just women. Half of the pregnancy is all about the father too (which women can sometimes forget in the mess of baby making) and this book can offer a lot of insight for women who are confused about their man's behavior. It offers insights to the way men and women differ in the whole pregnancy process. I highly recommend this book for women who are interested in having their partners involved in the process.

this book is writen by a caveman for cavemen. If you found this book helpful you should not be having a baby, or you live in the 1940's.

This book is specifically designed for the first time father's without a clue. It discusses everything from the basics of morning sickness to really acknowledging the needs and support a woman requires during pregnancy. It also assist with opening discussions for what's happening and what's to come. We enjoyed it.

This is my first and probably only Amazon review, but this book pushed me to it. As an upcoming first time dad, I was looking for books geared toward informing the father. Most books geared towards the soon-to-be dads tend to be humorous in nature, to varying degrees of success. This one was serious and quite informative. However, it suffers from a flawed sense of perspective that I found very distracting. It chronologically presents the journey of pregnancy and how it impacts the expectant father, but almost as if the male is agonizing more than the mom.

A perfect example comes from the chapter covering the 9th month of pregnancy: "Your partner's increased dependency is considered a "normal" part of pregnancy, But thanks to the ridiculous, gender-specific way we socialize people in this country, men are supposed to be independent, strong, supportive, and impervious to emotional needs - especially while their partners are pregnant. So just when you are feeling most vulnerable and least in control, your needs are swept under the rug, And what's worse, the one person you most depend on for sympathy and understanding may be too absorbed in what's going on with herself and the baby to do much for you".

This tone is pervasive throughout the book. If you relate to the above passage, you'll probably greatly enjoy this book. However, I was looking more for information about the experience of pregnancy and the father's role in it - not how to "cope" with the pressures and hassles. I think my wife had enough of those to deal with during these months, while I honestly didn't encounter any of the stresses the authors detail.

To summarize: Straightforward, and informative, but preoccupied with fatherly trials and travails that border on the unintentionally humorous.

My husband has really enjoyed this book. He likes to know what's going on with baby and me. I enjoy him sharing little tidbits with me also. This book also covers topics that Dads-to-be may feel anxious about such as money matters and the labor process. The only thing he has mentioned is that he'll read the section for the month I'm in so quick, that he'll have nothing else to read for another month. Overall, great buy!

This book was simply terrible from my perspective. However, if you don't really care to learn that much and want to appear to your partner that you are doing something then this is the book for you.

I guess if the couple is married it will work. Unfortunately for our daughter, her fiance left her a month after the baby was born, so we'll never know if the book did any good. He was there for the pregnancy and delivery and did a great job, but something didn't stick.

a little "stuffy" in places. very factual but little enjoyment in reading it fully

I'm going to be honest - this book is terrible. While it's well researched and the facts are accurate, the tone is horrific. The author seems to think men should take control of their partners' pregnancies and asks men to tell their partners what to do, how to eat, when to rest, how to breastfeed, etc. It's terribly condescending and paternalistic in the worst way. My husband didn't like it either. I do not recommend it at all. There are so many other books targeted toward expectant fathers that talk about the physical aspects of the woman's pregnancy as well the emotional impact for both partners.

I can honestly say that this is the best resource I've read outside my exsisting nursing literature on this subject. It gives you the basic do's and don'ts (many of which are common sense), and it does an over all solid job explaining the stages of labor. I'm not an OB nurse, therefore much of what I read took me back to nursing school and I began remembering old test questions (thank God those days are over). Now any prudent nurse would tell you that if you don't currently work in the OB field (and I don't) you are not an expert in that field (and I'm not). Therefore, I read this book with anticipation to learn, and with my pride kicked to the corner learn I did.

I did in fact learn a few things I didn't know previously, and I refreshed myself on subjects I studied two years ago (I can call it a refresher because technically I never missed one OB question in nursing school, OK maybe my pride wasn't totally kicked to the corner). At any rate I really found this book to be informative, light, and accomplishing it's goal without talking down to the reader. All this in 249 pages (not bad). Do I think this is all you'll need to read? HECK NO... You need birthing classes, you need to read other books, and you need to keep learning. But I can say this is a fantastic introduction and it's definately worth your time.

Bottom Line: A great resource and a worthy read. Just don't think you will get everything you need on this subject from one book. That book doesn't exsist....

This is a great book for expectant fathers- it is a bit wordy, so if your partner is not naturally a reader, you may want something else. It does address topics such as finances, fatherhood worries, and mother-in-laws.

My husband had this book bought as a gift. He's finished the whole thing as I just started my 8 month. He loved it. It had such good information in it he's referred to several of his friends and strangers we've come across. A few pages he made me read about what to pack and what to expect during delivery at the hospital. Excellent book!

The format of the book is particularily helpful in that it presents the reader with the quick, down-and-dirty information that one is looking for, but also digs a bit deeper. So far, I have found the timing of the information to be perfect with regard to what I am looking for and which concerns may arise with regard to gestational timing.

This is my first child, so the information is especially appreciated.

It wasn't until I made it quite far into the book that I realized that a lot of it just seemed a bit outdated. And then I checked the date it was published - 2001. This book is in serious need of an update! Certainly, there is a lot of valuable advice that shouldn't be discounted, but there is much that has changed that relying merely on this book for us guys is not a good thing. The book does a very good job talking about what partners go through during the pregnancy and I am sure many of us can relate.

OTOH, there are some areas in the book that the authors probably weren't well qualified to discuss. For instance, there is a chapter on finance and money. The authors try to make a case or should we say gratuitous advertisement promoting financial planners. The last sentence of the chapter about sums it up:

"So, unless you're a financial planner, stockbroker or insurance agent yourself, you've probably got no business making major financial decisions without advice."

This is about the biggest bunch of BS in the book. Personally, I have never had the need to spend/waste money on a financial planner and have done just fine. In fact, I know of too many folks who have gotten burned by financial planners. All I can say is buyer beware. It doesn't take much effort to learn about investing and you will be better off.

The book casually discusses C-sections and merely shrugs off the fact that 30% of births in the US end this way. The authors neglect to mention that the US has one of the worse rates of C-sections in developed countries and that the rate has risen from less than 5% to over 30% in the last 30 years. Regardless of how you and your partner choose to have your baby, you will be doing yourself a big favor watching a wonderful documentary called "The Business of Being Born". This documentary discusses many of the factors that have led to countless numbers of C-sections, an overwhelming majority of which were unnecessary. Hospitals make huge bucks from the meds such as Pitocin, and possibility of getting to do a C-section that it is amazing when a new mom can escape with a total natural birth void of any of these.

I will give the authors credit for recommending Doulas, which is some of the best advice in the book.

The book has a lot of relevant information and the author does provide a lot of "dad-tips" but it can be really boring and quite a dry read. Expectant dad should read this, but because it's so dry, a lot of guys won't get through the first few chapters.

I don't recommend this book simply because my partner wouldn't read more than the intro. He said it was just like my books and he might as well read mine. However, I do highly recommend Be Prepared! (I saw him sneak it off to work today). It's a great read for me too!

I bought this book for my husband when I got pregnant. He said it's been helpful and informative.

I felt like the author kept repeating himself over and over in each chapter.
The author is also a very sensitive guy, I leave that to your own interpretation.

I hardly touched it. It was given to me by someone. Well, given to me to give to my husband when I was pregnant. "The Birth Partner" is a much better book, and my husband swears by it, and even buys it for his friends whose wives are getting pregnant. In fact, something happened during the birth part that is almost completely described and covered in the book "The Birth Partner". This one is probably a bit too polished (make it less real) for the dads to be. If you are a husband that wants to be involved quite a bit, go get "The Birth Partner" instead of this.

This book errs on the side of ignorance and is a little old fashioned (for example, the chapter devoted to "What happens if you have to go grocery shopping if your wife can't while she's pregnant.") However, if you understand that some parts are dumbed down or out of date, it's over all a good book. A lot is geared towards things my husband likes to think about - financial planning, how to help me feel better, etc.

I started reading the first part of the book. All I've read thus far is the negatives such as birth defects, miscarriage, and other bad things. I'm excited about being a father and the last thing I want to here about (in what I thought was a positive book) is the beggining to start like this. I may bring myself to read further, but not what I wanted to read at the beggining

I bought this book for the father of my baby-to-be and he loves it. He was happy to have something to read that was male-oriented. Now he feels more informed and is keeping up with me month-by-month.

This is the one book that I did get to read while my girlfriend and I were expecting. It forewarned me about many useful things and answered a lot of questions I didn't know I had to ask in a clear and useful manner.

The section on post-pregnancy situations was extremely helpful too. Some books seem to forget that pregnancy is just the beginning.

Ladies, please cut back on your coffee intake, at least during the very first months. My girlfriend and I found out the very hard way what doctors are discovering nowadays. There IS a connection between drinking large amounts of caffeinated coffee and miscarriages.

Good and to the point and brought up lots of interesting things. Good for both the expectant moms and dads!

This books really hit on the subjects that I was concerned about. It was laid out in a manner that when I opened the book and flipped to the "month" it was as if the book was written about my wife and what I was going through. I have about three other "father to be" books and this is the only one that I have read cover to cover and keep with me whenever I want to brush up.

My husband read this book cover to cover and really enjoyed it. It had some useful information and I found it helped him understand what I was going through.

I read this book out of desperation in need of new reading materials while on bed rest early on. Best book I have read during my pregnancy. I re-read portions of this book throughout my pregnancy because I would have a question or experience that I remembered reading about in this book. I asked my Dr about many of the tips, and recommendations that this book makes (laying on your left side is recommended as your belly grows to maintain good circulation to the uterus; only 1 of many good-to-know facts in this book) and my Dr agreed that all of the things I asked about were accurate. Many of these recommendations are things I had not read in any of my other pregnancy books nor mentioned by my Dr before my asking about it. I found it easy to read, full of options (you do not need to take any of the suggestions, but it is nice to not feel like he is trying to force his ideas on you)and tons of good information not found in other pregnancy books written for Moms. I recommend this book for Dad and Mom equally. Feel free to ask your OB/GYN (if and when you are able to make it to the appt's with your mate) or Mom-to-be if she isn't up to reading books (nausea can be created by the simplest activities during pregnancy, I know) just now. Also, you can read it to her

Excellent choice of literature for expectant Dads. Armin A. Brott covered every aspect from conception to the baby's first few weeks after delivery. Prior to reading this I was so nervous and did not have a clue of what to expect, especially how to handle my partner's labor; my fiancee and I both expected that I would pass out! Thanks to this book I was completely prepared and felt like nothing less than a pro in labor and even cut the cord without fainting! Reading "Expectant Father" helped to make the complete experience a very pleasurable one.

I got this book for my husband, and "What to Expect When You're Expecting" for me. My husband loves this book! His only complaint is that it's not as reassuring as he would have liked. He looks at my book and it has a lot of "don't worry, you're normal" and other feel-good stuff. This book is a lot of facts and humor, which is what he wanted. But even he was surprised how much consoling he would need as a new daddy-to-be! But as far as the practicality of it, it's an amazing read and we're both very happy for it. But ladies...be sure to tell your man everything's going to be all right. He needs it too! :)

My husband doesn't put this book down! There have been some times when I have complained about some pregnancy related discomfort and there he goes to pick up the book and tells me how it's completely normal. It has gotten to the point where I have wanted to take the book and hit him with it, but I love the fact that he has been so involved and is interested in the whole process. I have read a little bit of it and some of it I find kind of odd. I guess I personally don't see myself as needy of a pregnant woman as the book portrays of a pregnant woman. Nor do I believe that my husband wants more attention himself during pregnancy like the book says. But maybe this is true in other relationships and other pregnancies? But as a whole this book has been a great item throughout the pregnancy thus far.

Great book for the logical dad. My husband wasn't in to the touchy feely cutesy books. He wanted facts. This is a great book and we have given it as a gift several times to expectant fathers.

This book does have some good information and the month to month format is good though the author is completely self-centered, whines alot and seems to be more concerned about his needs and feelings rather than his pregnant wife.

my guy reads a lot, but he didn't have enough patient to read this book.

This is a cute book. I bought it for my husband and read a little myself. I made him stop reading because the book talks alot about expences and the problem is the book information is fron 1995 so it was a bit off. I did not want my hubby to be miss guided in that department

I purchased this as a gift for the father of an expectant friend. He was touched to have received something for himself and thrilled to have a resource on what he can expect and how he can help out through what is a first-time experience for the both of them. A unique gift idea and useful knowledge for the first-time daddy.

This book is too much. I think the best example of how far out this book is comes near the end when the author talks about strategies for salvaging the placenta so you can have some kind of ceremony with it later on.

The "Be Prepared" book is much better to read, entertaining, gets the information out there, and isn't overwrought like this one.

As a pediatrician, I think this easy to read book is a "must have" for the new dad. I love the format of this book and helps future dads feel like they have some idea on what to expect and how to avoid some important parenting issues. Bravo! AVOIDING THE 15 BIGGEST MISTAKES PARENTS MAKE: A PEDIATRICIAN'S PERSPECTIVE

This is the first pregnancy book I've read, and while I'm not a man, I thought it was immensely helpful. The author follows the normal stages of pregnancy, from morning sickness to swollen ankles to delivery and beyond and discusses them in a sensitive and helpful manner. Some of the topics are ones that are best discussed BEFORE conception (for example, money), but overall, he hits them as they would come into play during an actual pregnancy. However, the book is best read at one time, not month-by-month as a pregnancy progresses.
The author has two children whom he loves very much, and he makes a lot of mention about how men are stereotyped as babysitters instead of parents. He's also from San Francisco and makes several mentions to environmental concerns, which may be irritating to readers, as they occasionally come off as excessive. Aside from that, this book is very helpful and will help the father feel more involved in the pregnancy. Recommended reading for both parents.

I bought this book for myself when my wife and I were starting to think about having children and it stayed with me thorough the entire pregnancy.

The month by month sections are great to read and they provide not only advice about what is going on with the baby, but also what is going with you and with your partner.

It has a great balance to it and with resources and an index in the back; it works wonders as a quick go-to guide.

My wife loved that I had it because I was informed and she appreciated how the format not only got me in the loop as to what was going on with her, but also looked at some issues that I might be thinking about.

A great book, and I've just bought the second one (1st year) so I can continue the series.

Good luck to all you future and fellow parents!

I am reading this book now as a first time father and its great, lots of information both pratical and helpful with you as a father to be as well as good advice on how to help the mother, what she needs, suggestoins on how to make her pregnancy easier and safer. Lots of great lists like questions to ask the OB/GYN, food to avoid etc. I highly recommend this book.
thanks
Joe

Great way for fathers to still read about pregnancy but get a relief of the "Mommy" books.

Its informative without being having too much hegemonic male-speak. Great for intellegent men, but we recommend suplementing with other books, but NOT "What to Expect".

My brother-in-law gave me this book. I have to say that this was very helpful as a first time dad. It covered everything that you could want to know and does so in an easy to follow month by month format. I would always stay one or two months ahead to be ready for what was going on. I have to say the book was pretty accurate to what our experience was. I would say this is a must read for any expecting father.

I checked this out from the local library for my husband at about 37 weeks into pregnancy. He read the chapters on what to expect once the baby is here and has been sharing the things he learned over the past few weeks.

I wish we had gotten this book earlier becuase so many of the books are written by women for women and I think my husband would have enjoyed having his own pregnancy book.

I bought this book for my partner thinking it would be a good source of information. It was to a certain extent, but I really didn't like the way it was written. Somehow it seemed patronizing - tips such as 'tell your wife you love her and then 5 minutes later tell her again' - I'd think my partner was nuts! The book is chock full of those little nuggets. I also found his comment about saying 'we're pregnant' a bit annoying. I am pregnant, my partner isn't.
Just not my cup of tea. I'm actually considering throwing the book out so my partner doesn't read it and get any silly ideas.

My husband was so excited about our 1st pregnancy that he buried his head in the "What to Expect when you're Expecting" book. Although that book is a great "reference book" it's not necessary an easy read...which just goes to show how committed & interested he was in our pregnancy. He read chapters after chapters but found himself frustrated and disappointed because many of the to-do and not-to-dos were addressed to the Mother and often left the Father out in the cold. I saw his disappointment and searched high and low for a good Pregnancy Book for Dad. This book was it! I am so impressed by the amount of useful info in this book that I started reading it myself. It presents the facts in a stright-forward fashion and does not over complicate the topic with unnecessary details. It touches on everything (from all perspectives): from the baby's developmental stages, to what the Mother may be experiencing physically/emotionally, to what the Father may be experiencing physically/emotionally. It gives great suggestions on how the Father can get involved during the pregnancy. And even has a chapter dedicated to What to expect After Birth and a Chapter breaking down the different types of Delivery and what to consider and watch out for. Many Father books out there talks down and portray the Mother as unreasonable crazy hormone raging maniacs where as this book projects a fair view of what's going on during pregnancy. And facilitates understanding by explaining the causes versus just make jokes on the expense of the pregnant woman.

I bought this book for my husband but I'm reading it too. The cientific information is very accurate and the tips are great. It also gives information that is not included in moms-to-be books, so it is a great option not just for men but for couples or even just for moms.