I read a lot of pregnancy books, and this was the best of the bunch. Penny goes over coping mechanisms for unmedicated labor, medication options, possible complications and interventions, all in incredible detail. Also highly recommended is her companion book aimed at labor partners/coaches, "The Birth Partner".

(written by Charles' wife)I just had my 4th baby. Before each birth, I prepared myself by reviewing the birth and post-partum chapters. This is essential reading for those who hope to have a natural birth yet want to be informed about about possible interventions. The book doesn't have much on pregnancy, but that part takes care of itself. Prepare yourself for the challege and reward of a drug-free labor with this book.

Penny Simkin has the talent to share her passion for supporting mothers with research based information in a very clear language.
Every pregnant couple needs this book.
Ana Paula Markel

...from the day you get that positive test until the weeks after bringing your perfect little bundle home.

I had the most wonderful opportunity to take my childbirth education classes from Penny Simkin herself. She gave us this book, as well as "The Birth Partner," as reading materials for her class. I don't know where I would be without this. All through my pregnancy, labor, and the weeks following, I had this book by my side. It answered any possible question I could think of, and when it came down to a c-section, I was able to try to calm myself by thinking back to what I read in this book. I can't believe they were able to fit so much into so few of pages!

Great pictures and illustrations, wonderful information, and a must have for any newly pregnant mom. I would have been lost without it!

After starting "what to expect" and being told that it was horrible I was given this book by my midwives. It is THE book every pregnant woman should read. It does cover pregancy but not all the scare tactics that you read in the other books that make you paranoid about breathing. I found it very helpful in creating a birthing plan and knowing all the options I had. I didn't have the pregnancy I thought I would have as my sons were born prematurely and didn't survive, when it happened I knew exactly what was going on. On the other hand in "what to expect" the chart that says abdominal discomfort, you may have gas or you may be going into pre-term labor. Give me a break! So again...pregnant, thinking of being pregnant, know someone who is pregnant, this is the book!

The only one I needed. I could start my own library with all of the pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn baby book I bought. This is the only one I'll keep.

I bought this book in my childbirthing class since it was recommended by the instructor. Despite the title it mainly focuses on the labor part but it is VERY informative about all your options including what medications are available and how to go natural and it really tries to get your partner involved. However it's surprisingly boring considering the subject matter. There are much better books out there that are not only informative but easy to read too.

I'm a first-time father. This book is a sure-fire hit for other new dads on the scene. Get great, down-to-earth explanations of what's really going on with your wife and how you can help her. Suggestions go beyond rubbing her feet or looking the other way during a mood swing.

The only downfall is the minimal amount of information for parents of multiples, which we discovered we were after I purchased the book. The information for parents of multiples is added in almost as an afterthought. These fathers should not compare their wives' journey to that of a single-birth pregnancy. However, you will get great insight, no matter, on things that will make your walk a little easier.

I loved this book. I read a few pregnancy books before this one and found this to be extremely helpful! I recommend it everytime I get the chance!

My husband and I read this book together before the birth of our first child. It was the best resource we had on making decisions for birth. It was very informative, giving views of every issue. I felt a lot more knowledgable and prepared for birth from reading this, and more confident of the choices I was making. I highly reccommend this book.
I agree that you may want to read other books after making a decision, but if you're just going to read one and want all the facts, this is it.

I am a doula in training and read this book to help me prepare for the birth I was assisting. It was amazing! Since every woman experiences pregnancy and birth differently, its hard to imagine a book as being able to be a guide for such journeys. This book however is very aware of the fact and does a wonderful job of conveying information in a flexible manner. It was so incredibly informative in a way that everyone can understand.

This book has all the information you need for pregnancy, from scientific details to everyday stuff. This is my first pregnancy, and this book has not only answered many of my questions, but has also brought up so many things that I hadn't even thought to ask. A definite must-have.

By far the best pregnancy book I have read to date, and I have read most of them. I recommend this book to all my family/friends...even ones that are on their 3rd or 4th pregnancy.

Unlike other popular pregnancy books, this book is very easy to read, contains simple facts and most importantly, is very unbias. It doesn't sugar coat anything, but it doesn't scare you with all the worst-case-scenario situations.

I only wish I had picked this book up earlier in pregnancy last year. I was over 6 months pregnant when I purchased, and with my first pregnancy, this book put my mind at ease. I recommend this book if you are looking for great facts and information without feeling like the author is bias and/or pushing their beliefs and experiences through the pages.

As you arrive closer and closer to you due date, you will naturally have questions about how the birthing process itself develops and how you can prepare yourself for it. Educating yourself on the birthing process will empower you and will bring you closer to having a natural vaginal uncomplicated birth. I highly recommend this book as it details coping techniques for the different stages of labor, charts and info about possible interventions, and all information you would need to achieve a successful labor. Also it has information (brief but concise) on pregnancy, postpartum, childcare. If you are looking to know more about the 9 months of pregnancy, you might consider buying another book AS WELL as this one. You must become knowledgeable and prepared for the climax of your pregnancy, which is,of course, your child's exit from your body and entry into this world. Good Luck!

This book would be beneficial for the educator as well as the person just seeking information from conception to the newborn and everything in between. Easy to understand, explains terminology as needed. It is the complete guide.

I really liked this book because it had a very non-biased approach to dealing with all the issues that come up during pregnancy and childbirth.

This book is hands-down the book of all books when it comes to anything prenatal and postnatal. Just buy it. You'll thank me later.

The only book you'll need as a chilbirth educator, doula, L & D nurse, lactation educator, midwife, or pregnant woman. Its comprehensive guide to the title is the perfect tool to guide us through this very special time in our lives.

Author of
THE TRUTH
ABOUT CAFFEINE

So many people in the birthing community just "know" that this is the authority perinatal book. Required reading for many programs, this book is able to equip the reader with the information needed during this time. It's a classic and should replace "What to Expect!"

So many people in the birthing community just "know" that this is the authority perinatal book. Required reading for many programs, this book is able to equip the reader with the information needed during this time. It's a classic and should replace "What to Expect!"

It really goes into a lot of detail about the newborn and postpartum recovery. Very nice and often not emphasized a lot in other books. Good info on the final weeks leading up to birth too like theories on what starts labor, the reasons some "natural" labor induction methods may work and physical changes that occur for mom and baby at the end.

An excellent alternative to "What to Expect . . . "

Early in my pregnancy, I checked out almost every book in my local library on pregnancy. "What to Expect" went back in a week, and I now own this book, among others.

This book is very thorough and is an excellent reference to the physiological and emotional aspects of pregnancy and birth. I only gave it 4 stars, though, because it doesn't have enough information on natural childbirth, completely unmedicated. If you're planning a natural birth (rather than a managed delivery), you'll need and want additional resources.

I did find the tables listing various interventions with their benefits and risks very helpful. Penny Simpkin is extremely knowledgeable about pregnancy and birth. You should check out her other books as well, especially "The Birth Partner." My husband is totally engrossed with that book.