I've read several other pregnancy books written by doctors. I could tolerate them, they had helpful tips, there was a human being on the other side writing the book. But this is soo bad, soo medical, that if you can read even ten pages of this book you deserve an award. What is in this book that will actually make you healthy? It's called healthy pregnancy, what exactly are the health tips gained here?

I suppose if you completely buy into the medicalized way of birth, with nearly a 30% cesearan rate, 250,000 birth defects per year, of which about half are serious, 500,000 miscarriages and nearly 25,000 early infant deaths, then, please, get this book. You cannot get more filled with medical terminology and theories to confuse you and make you feel like you don't know anything, then is in this book.

The text is extremely dry, the advice is not clear, and it is all about talking about problems without real solutions.

It recommends the FLU shot while pregnant, which is completely stupid since it is loaded with mercury, (remember, no mercury during pregnancy??) duh, but still, it recommends that. The book makes it seem as if medical surgery and procedures is the only way to go. The Questions and Answers section may be it's only redeeming quality.

Review is by Ramiel Nagel author of Healing Our Children: Because Your New Baby Matters! Sacred Wisdom for Preconception, Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting (ages 0-6).

During my first pregnancy, I owned two books: "the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" and "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Both are very good books, but over time I came to appreciate this one more. The explanations are thorough, and have extremely solid medical backgrounds. An attempt is made at providing good "touchy feeling" explanations, but truly, these academics aren't as good at that as the "what to Expect" crowd. Nonetheless, it lived at my side as I changed and learned about what was happening to me and my child.

This book covers vast topics, answering every question a pregnant woman has with great detail and yet not leaving you feel bogged down. Very easy to read and follow. I particularly like the tips and symptons one should look out for at every stage. You won't regret buying this book!

I bought this book because in the early weeks of my pregnancy, I had lots of questions. Mayo Clinic has been a reliable source for medical information for me over the years and it didn't stop when I became pregnant. I used their website ([...]) to look up all kinds of information in their Pregnancy Center. It was without hesitation, especially with such a high review on Amazon, that I bought this book.

I read it often in the early weeks of my pregnancy in addition to relying on their website, I realized that much of the information overlaps. I really should have just stuck to the website, because I rarely read the book anymore because it is just a repeat.

Recently, I stopped at the library to pick the lowly Amazon rated "What to Expect When You're Expecting". I cracked open the book and couldn't put it down! WTEWYE had answers to all of the questions that I'd asked and couldn't find in the Mayo Clinic, like 'Is tap water safe?', and detailed & current information about First Trimester Screening results and options (which Mayo Clinic doesn't have).

If I were you and considering getting this book, I would just head over to www.mayoclinic.com and save the $[...] for another book.

I am currently pregnant in week 25, first time pregnancy. My husband and I have purchased or have been given 3 pregnancy books, including "My Pregnancy Week by Week" and "What to expect when you're expecting" before this one came free in the mail from my insurance, 3 months into the pregnancy. Now I barely look at the other books. This one is way better in my opinion and here is why. It covers everything you'd possibly want to know and does it better then the other books. The other books are geared to a lower reading comprehension level and can be a bit annoying, plus the organization is not as good and the topics are not as complete. Let me give you an example. 5 days ago, I started getting pretty bad pains in my pubic bone - this doesn't happen to everyone, of course. I of course got nervous. This book has an index where you can look things up like "pubic bone pain" and find out everything that you'd need to know about it right away. "Your Pregnancy Week by Week" doesn't have this. The index is almost 20 pages long and so you can quickly find everything. There is also a great section on basic baby care, and a week by week section as well, for the pregnancy. This book makes me feel in control of my pregnancy and is like the "bible" to me, I am so glad I got it! If I found out about this one first, I wouldn't have gotten any of the others.

This book is well-organized and is full of practical MEDICAL advice, with handy decision guides for every month. I stress the word "medical" because there is just too much junk out there about pregnancy. This book is the real deal. I strongly recommend this book over the popular "What to Expect..." book.

This book is great and very informative. I read it as well as "What to Expect When You're Expecting". This book is slightly better, and also includes information not covered in other books. I would recommend this book mostly to first time moms, since it answered alot of my questions during my first pregnancy.

My husband and I just started to think about planning for a family so, me, being the researcher type wanted to know everything that is in store for us becoming parents. After reading all the reviews for "What to expect while your expecting" I didn't want to be scared out of my wits. So in buying this book I was happily surprised at what length the Mayo Clinic authors go to, to inform you of what is going on inside your body and all the things you can do to prevent or calm symptoms of pregnancy and also the warning signs and what to do when something is not "right" week by week. When I get pregnant I'll certainly use this as my go to guide before I call the Dr. about my concerns. A pro is the "When to call" checklist after every chapter. The book is broken down into parts: Part 1 "Pregnancy, childbirth and your newborn" (Preparing to have a baby), Part 2 "Decision guides for pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood", Part 3 "Pregnancy reference guide", Part 4 "Complications of pregnancy and childbirth". Overall, a good read and very easy to understand, straightforward and every section is well organized, there is no need to skip around to find what you are looking for. I'll recommend this book to friends, certainly.

I bought this book based on the reviews on Amazon. This book is very reliable and straight to the point. Many of my questions were answered in this book and every advise in this book is the same as what my OB would advise. I would recommend this book to any pregnant woman. If you have this book you wont need any of the other books out there.

This book by far was the best of the 10 books I was given as gifts...including "what to expect...blah blah blah". would recommend this book to the families who like things straight to the point and don't want any nonsense. it tells you exactly what to expect and does not try to scare you into thinking things are going wrong. GREAT BOOK!! Also makes a great gift to any friends you might have that just found out they are pregnant.

I bought this book on a whim because I thought the Mayo Clinic must know some things about pregnancy. As soon as I opened it, I realized how much time I wasted reading little bits of "What to Expect" every month. I love the way this book is set up: the week by week development bits are all together. The pregnancy illnesses and complications are all together. The labor and delivery bits are all together. The birthing complications are all together...thus you don't end up reading all kinds of information you don't need. There is a very usable index at the back if you're searching for an answer to a question. I look at this book constantly when I have a question about something, and it takes me 2 minutes tops to figure out what I want to know. I thought the language was very easy to understand without being patronising. I would recommend this book to anyone embarking on a pregnancy - it's a very valuable resource!

Great information and it gets to the point. I appreciate the unbiased, straight forward info.

I found this book to be an excellent resource and very refreshing after too many books of dated information. This book is very clearly laid out and is broken into several sections covering, month-to-month "waht to expect," then common problems, a great glossery, nutritional information, etc. Everything is easy to understand and simple to reference on a daily basis. Well done. Choose this over "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is really well organized so you can find information quickly, the drawings are informative and accurate, and the tone is not dumbed down at all. I looked at reviews of pregnancy books before I bought this one and I'm really glad I did. This book was consistently rated the highest and I totally agree. I haven't felt once like we needed another resource besides this book (and my doctor) to answer our questions.

I never even considered "what to expect..."-- I'd flipped through friends' copies, and was never impressed with either the style or the information presented.

During my own pregnancy, which was higher risk to begin with but rapidly turned into a high-risk endeavor, this book was a great source to read up and help me formulate questions for my obs & perinatologists.

I do wish it covered more rare conditions in more detail, but with so much other information, there are bound to have been edits. Also wish there was a source that lets the reader know that after amnio, its NOT unsual to spend the next 2 days in bed. I had to have the test, but they should really prepare the parents better for this particular test.

A good source based on solid obstetrics.

The info in this book was always very high-level. If you are like my husband and I, you may find youself visiting websites weekly to read about fetal development. If so, don't bother to buy this book. It NEVER had any more info than I got online!! Even on specific issues such as gestational diabetes screening, the info was never more than the few paragraphs you find on every pregnancy website. So I found it to be a total waste of money & I rarely opened it.

Furthermore, DO NOT TAKE ADVICE ON LABOR & BIRTH from this book. It states, "There is nothing you can do to prevent a C-section." THIS IS TOTALLY FALSE! First, right off-the-bat, the rate of c-section varies wildly among practicioners. Picking a health care provider with a lower c/s rate will lower your risk. Secondly, getting an epidural doubles your risk of c/s - so there is PLENTY you can do to lower your risk. (Sure, you can't 100% prevent it, but you CAN substantially lower your risk.) I highly recommend "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" to find out the REAL FACTS on OB procedures. You do not want to just blindly trust your practicioner.

I recently found out that I was 6-weeks pregnant, and my first thought was, "What's the most informative book I can have to guide me through these 9 months?" I blindly stumbled on this book, and I am so relieved! Considering I forgot to ask my friends and family on advice for which books I should purchase and use as my bible, I (thank GOD) didn't buy What to Expect When Expecting, and instead, bought Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. I guess my primary reason of choosing this book is because its written by medical professionals. The last thing I wanted to do was choose a guide that was not written by medical professionals. I want to feel as though I have something to refer to when I can't call my OB at 3am!! Its very well organized, and although I'm only in my first trimester, it helps to view what is to come in my 2nd and 3rd trimesters. The information provided is very clear and for being a first-time mom, I want to know what I should be alarmed and/or concerned about, but I definitely don't want to feel as though I'm becoming completely paranoid about every little thing (I don't need extra help in that category!). I highly recommend this book to anyone who is experiencing their first pregnancy, or even for those who have traveled down this road before.

This book is fantastic, and the best of its kind in the genre. Very thorough and updated. I would recommend this a hundred times over What to Expect when you're expecting.

I love, love, love this book! I am currently 11 weeks pregnant and I don't know what I'd do without it. I bought this book and began reading it even before conceiving and I was amazed with the wealth of information it contains. The organization of the book is perfect; instead of just breaking down the baby's development by month (like "What to Expect When You're Expecting"), this book breaks it down by week. Every week, I look forward to reading about my baby's progress (and seeing what he/she looks like!). Also, this book not only tells me about my baby's development, but the changes in my own body as well. "What to to Expect When You're Expecting" seems to focus on Mom's changing body and not baby's as much.

The Pregnancy reference guide in this book is also awesome; I have used it so many times already. I've also started reading some of the postpartum info the book contains, just to educate myself, and I know it will definitely come in handy when the baby arrives. Overall, I feel I can trust this book, not only because of who the authors are, but also because the advice and information it contains have ALWAYS been right in line with what my doctor has told me. I would definitely recommend purchasing "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" if you're even thinking about having a baby and then if you still want "What to Expect When You're Expecting," (which I did just out of curiosity), buy it as a supplement just in case this book doesn't answer a specific question.

I am very glad that I purchased this book at the beginning of my pregnancy. I am now 18 weeks and it has been great following along week by week as to the development of the baby! There are also helpful notes and information as to my own changes in health on a week by week basis. Very practical and informative.

This book was the most helpful pregnancy book I found. I have since purchased a copy of it for every friend/relative who is expecting and they have all found it a valuable resource as well. I highly suggest it. The information is laid out in a user-friendly manner and the real-life questions/answers are most helpful. I think that this book is a must-have for every pregnant woman, especially for first-time mothers!

The book is a must have for first time mom-to-bes. I carried it with me everywhere, learning all I could about what to expect from my pregnancy & the birth of my son. It is full of wonderful information. I highly recommend it. Who better to learn from than the Mayo Clinic.

My wife and I really enjoy this book. It is plainly written in a relaxing and sometimes mildly comical way. The book is basically comprised of two pieces. The part we find most helpful is the survey of what is happening to the mothers body through the duration of the pregnancy. In this regard, the book is a blessing. My wife simply felt weird on many days - and it was great to know that she should be feeling weird, and that there was an explanation for why she felt weird. I suppose one can assume it is because of the pregnancy, but it seems satisfying to know exactly what is going on. Similarly, there is a large glossary that details specific side effects expectant mothers may endure (with explanations as to why) along with many tips for remedying or limiting the effects.

The second (smaller) piece to the book is a detail of the developing fetus/embryo. This could be satisfying to some. Those interested in specifics of prenatal development should look elsewhere. My suggestion would be to watch PBS "Lifes greatest miracle" for an excellent and beautiful account of the developing organism in the womb.

Overall, the Mayo clinic book is a great resource for mothers and fathers who want to know how to prepare and what to expect from a pregnancy.

I got this book when I was pregnant with my daughter. I also got Your Pregnancy Week By Week. Both were fabulous. I could read about what was going on and understand, with out the fear of What to expect, which I thought was a crappy book. I have talked with many friends and they too were frieghtened by what to expect, so I loaned out this book, and information without the fear. It is easy to understand, easy to find answers, and reassuring. Definitely worth your money! This is one that I want back for my second pregnancy!!

As a nursing student, I wanted a pregnancy book that went into a little more detail that what I could read about online or in my textbooks. I learned a lot in school, but I wanted a bit more detail about what my body would go through, not just how the baby should develop and this book was the perfect answer. It may seem like heavy reading, but if you read along with your pregnancy & symptoms, it's not at all boring. The 1st part of the book describes each week of pregnancy and includes actual size pics of how the baby should be progressing. It also goes into childbirth & postpartum care. The 2nd section of the book explores various decisions you may face during pregnancy & after the baby is born. The last section discusses common pregnancy problems, everywhere from diabetes to preterm labor to preeclampsia. Overall, the book is very straight forward, informative, and a great source for pregnancy (& after) information.

we like this book very much. We do have other books we look at but this is a good one to have

I read this entire book cover to cover just because it had so much interesting information! Far superior to the other pregnancy reference guides available, this book answered all of my questions and is very well organized. I found the sections at the end of the chapters especially useful that identify all of the warning signs and normal symptoms to expect during each part of your pregnancy. All of the advice in the book was consistent with my OB/GYN recommendations and even accurately predicted the premature delivery of my baby. This book was an essential element of my preparation for a new baby and I would have been lost during pregnancy without it. It answered all of the questions I didn't know I had!

My mother gave me this book when I found out I was pregnant and I am eternally grateful to her. Being a late starter (in my thirties) I have had concerns that younger women likely don't face. This book is well written and goes into detail on each topic, giving you valuable information that is easy to understand. Each month of pregnancy is covered in detail and gives the reader knowledge of what to expect when the time comes. This is so valuable, helping to alleviate fears that tend to crop up from time to time. The book covers breast feeding and circumcision, although those topics weren't covered in as much detail as I would have liked. I realize I will need to purchase a breast-feeding book for more details and also join the group my doctor has recommended to prepare for the hurdles I may encounter. Even my husband has read several of the topics of interest to him and commented on how precise everything is written in this book. I highly recommend this book to every woman who is expecting, it is as some others have commented, "like having a doctor at your fingertips".

Why is this book so good? Because all of the scary stuff that makes pregnant women paranoid is not included in the first part of the book. So, don't read it it you know you will get worked up over it.

This book is the best preganancy book yet. I won't ever read the 'What to Expect' books ever again (never liked them anyway). The reference information is useful only when you need it.

The Mayo Clinic Guide identifies and provides easy-to-find answers to many pregnancy FAQ's. It does not "speak down" to the reader. The information is rational and thorough so if you're experiencing a problem and are uncertain whether or not to call your ob provider, by the time you've read the section on your topic you'll at least have a clear idea of whether you need to be concerned enough to seek immediate medical attention, or if you can save your topic for your next prenatal visit.

In a pinch this book is a reasonable stand-in for a licensed obstetric provider such as a doctor or certified nurse midwife. It is written as a reference book and is not something to be tackled at one sitting. In fact, the information is so comprehensive, to first-time parents it could be overwhelming.

After fifteen years of delivering babies, I felt the existing pregnancy books could be enhanced by a different kind of book. My book, DIY Baby! Do It Yourself Baby!: Your Essential Pregnancy Handbook is an entertaining readable handbook that fills in the gaps between the pregnancy lay-person's "textbooks" such as the Mayo Guide.

This is a reliable resource that is well organized and the charts for when to call your doctor are helpful...but it is really dry reading. The book is mostly text with very few basic illustrations and no photos. I used in conjunction with The Pregnancy Bible. If you are looking to purchase just one book, I would recommend the Bible over this one.

This is such a great book to keep you calm when worried, informed when ignorant, and practical when overwhelmed. It is divided into four sections a month by month look at pregnancy, a decision guide to all the main thing you need to worry about health wise, a general reference guide for any doubts that might arise from dyeing your hair to headaches and the last is about complications. It's nice to have a book that includes possible complications, but that leaves it at the end so you don't worry more than you need to.

This was my main resource book throughout my entire pregnancy and I highly recommend it.

I am a first time mom and also a family practitioner and this book has been better than my medical school and residency training combined for practical knowledge! It is especially helpful for the "constant worrier" in its algorithms for telling you when to act on your concerns. It is also a great resource for someone who is just curious about what is developing in your baby week by week. I plan on recommending this to my pregnant patients!

After consulting with girlfriends and getting the books they recommended, I still didn't feel like I had enough information. I purchased the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, and haven't consulted another book since. I appreciate the clinical approach to pregnancy, especially when describing fetal development, body changes and procedures such as prenatal testing. It is an excellent reference book for pregnancy and the early months of life with baby. I only wish they would revise it to keep up with changes such as new protocols for prenatal screening. For example, it mentions nuchal translucency measurement as somewhat experimental, though when combined with maternal blood tests for free Beta hcg and PAPP-A, along with nasal bone measurement (none of which are mentioned), it is an excellent screening tool. I highly recommend this to prospective parents who want the medical low-down, presented with tenderness when appropriate but without the irrelevant fluff.

This book is fantastic. It is well organized and easy to reference. It's also well written with a professional tone that never veers toward alarmist or condescending. The book does a great job of telling you what is normal and what is not and has an easy to read charts. I found everything in this book to be relatively unbiased and normal pregnancy, as well as complications are explained in full. The only drawback for me is that I personally would like more of an emphasis on natural childbirth rather than seeing it be presented on par with interventionist procedures. That being said, it is an excellent book and I am thrilled to have it to guide me through my first pregnancy.

My boyfriend bought me this book, and i have been using it as a reference for a lot of issues i never thought i would eperience. i am expecting my first baby, and didnt know what to make of the changes in my body. this book explains in very good detail the changes you and your baby are making during each stage of your pregnancy, as well as helpful tips on easing some of the discomforts that you amy eperience while pregnant.

Another feature i loved aboutthis book is the fact that it dosent end when you have the baby, but goes on into the symptomes of different illnesses that are common in newborn and young babies. as well as what to do in case of whatever emergency. Basicly i have been reading it and telling my boyfriend how great it is...i would definatly recommend this book, and will probably give it to a pregnant friend when the time comes.

This book is the most thorough book that I have found but at the same time it is not overwhelming. It is broken down into sections which makes it easy to get through. All of my questions were answered by this book.

This book is perfect - it allows you to follow along week by week, it has clear and concise decision guides for each trimester, the information is accurate and is NOT dumbed down for the reader like a lot of books will do. I hated "What to Expect.." and found this book is the perfect antidote. It tells you exactly what the medical research says about each subject without judgement or condescension. I would recommend to anyone.

This is a good book having all the basic info you are looking for as a new parent. This book helped us in knowing a lot of new things which helped us prepare for the times ahead and consult the doctor at the right time.

This is my second pregnancy, and I really wanted a good reference book that didn't insult my intelligence. The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is it. I had my first child 6 years ago, so I'm a little rusty on the pregnancy thing. I didn't need all the warm, fuzzy hand-holding that a lot of pregnancy books out there offer, so I decided on this book based on the rave reviews. I haven't been disappointed. It provides concise, objective information, and it is very easy to navigate through. I found the information to be very well laid out and with just the right amount of detail that any lay person, or even healthcare provider, could comprehend. I think this book is a must have for any pregnant woman.

This is a very informative book that explains week by week what is happening to your body and your baby. It is organized in a manner that makes it easy to refer back to when you have a specific question. I like this better than What to Expect When You're Expecting.

This is the best pregnancy reference guide! Far superior to "What to Expect When You're Expecting", it gives you the straightforward facts in logically organized sections. I didn't have to waste my time thumbing through pages of questions/problems that don't apply to me, I just got the facts on my baby's development each week (which is what I most wanted in a pregnancy guide). It also gives you a useful decision guide and tells you when you should call your doctor with questions/problems. It really is the perfect book for any pregnant woman.

This book was a great guide. It was a first pregnancy for both my wife and I. The week by week development section was fascinating to follow. The strongest part of this book was the not dumded downed nature you find in many books. This book treats the reader as an intelligent person who is able to understand the intraricies of pregnancy

This is my first pregnancy, and I purchased "What to Expect..." because that is what everyone else has. It was so very unorganized, constantly flipping to this page or that! I was extremely frustrated and searching for a different book.

Thank you Mayo for creating such a wonderful book! It is so organized, all in order, and very informative. Not to mention the fact that it has such a reputable name behind it! Once I got this book, I never even touched any other pregnancy book! I will forever recommend this book to every pregnant woman I come across!!

When we found out that we are expecting a baby, my husband and I immediately got two books - "What to Expect when You are Expecting" and the "Mayo Clinic Guide to Healthy Pregnancy." We decided to divide and conquer and he read "What to Expect..." and I read the Mayo Clinic guide on a weekend. Our conclusion is that a lot of the information in the two books is repetitive but the Mayo Clinic guide is a better choice if you are interested mostly in the physiological and medicinal side of pregnancy. Here are some of my reasons for liking it so much.

First, as a woman who is incredibly busy and frequently on the road, I need a reference guide which immediately provides me with relevant, reliable, and concise medical information. During the first trimester I am experiencing a multitude of symptoms which are unfamiliar to me as this is my first pregnancy. With the help of the Mayo Clinic guide, I can evaluate every sign in less than a minute (literally) and can make a quick decision whether I need to run to the nearest emergency room, call my doctor or just relax because I am experiencing something normal. Also, since the book is written by MDs, I trust the information 100%.

I also recommend for pregnant women who are traveling often to check out the book from the local library in PDF format. This way you can discreetly open up the file on your laptop and refer to the information without lugging around the actual book which is quite heavy. Hopefully, with the help of new technology, we soon will be able to get this book on our Blackberries. That would be neat.

Second, since the pregnancy is an internal process, I always wonder how far the little peanut inside of me has grown. Does he/she have eyes, ears, legs, arms? Each chapter of the book includes a detailed description of the development of the baby for that week and a little drawing showing his/her actual size. Of course, the drawings are not as good as seeing my baby on ultrasound which always puts tears in my eyes but it is an "acceptable" amount of information to pass the time from one doctor's appointment to the next.

Some readers may find the book a little bit hardhearted and too medical. There are no cute baby and pregnancy stories. Everything is very concrete and factual. I actually prefer that and then I get my supplemental daily dose of pregnancy compassion and baby excitement from family and friends.

This book is far superior to "What to Expect". It answers almost every question you might have and will have. It has helpful illustrations and is well organized. Its a month by month detail of what you should expect and what is to come.

I found the Mayo book easy to read and well organized. My wife, whose second language is English, found the book easy to read as well. The book is organized around the trimesters of your pregnancy. In each trimester, the authors describes the changes you will encounter to give you a sense of what you should expect. Following these chapters, are sections which dive into decisions you need to make during your pregnancy. This organization makes sense to me, and if it does for you too, I highly recommend this book.

Just about any question I can think of, I can find a thorough clear answer in this book. Very well organized and very complete. I'm planning my first pregnancy and I was looking for a book to answer all my questions. I have several pregnancy reference style books, but this one is exactly what I was looking for!

I loved this book. It is somewhat technical and it focuses on the medical issues involved with pregnancy. There are sections that tell you what is happening with your baby each week and what to expect with your body during each month. There is a guide about when to call/see your doctor if you have specific experiences at the end of each month's section. The guide for decision making is objective and gives scientific evidence to support each choice. This is a thick book, but I'm currently 7 months along and I've managed to read most of it because it is interesting to me and well written. It is exactly what I was looking for, but it isn't for those of you who are wanting an emotional guide for pregnancy.

I would recommend "The girlfriend's guide to pregnancy" by Vicki Iovine if you're looking for a personal account of pregnancy with several good laughs. I had a great time reading this book and even my husband found it entertaining when we read parts of it together. I didn't agree completely with the exercise chapter or the clothing chapter, but Iovine is simply documenting the experiences of herself and her girlfriends. It is a cute book for the pregnancy obsessed first-timers.