please read this book with a skeptical mind. or at least just know that it is skewed very heavily towards a technocratic approach to childbirth. readers should be warned that the information is coming from two obstetricians with a very strong medically-oriented bias. as was pointed out by another reviewer, i found some statements that are absolutely not true: one is the authors' claim that pitocin does not lead to more painful contractions; the second is that giving birth in the lithotomy position (on your back) makes for the easiest delivery. (it may be easist for the doctor.) both of these are known to be false. in fact, it has been pointed out that the lithotomy position is the single most dysfunctional position for delivery. it actually makes the pelvis more narrow and increases the likelihood of tears. also, it has been the least common position adopted by birthing women throughout history and the world except in cultures that have embraced a medical approach to birth (and then, it was the doctors' idea). i think this is very irresponsible of the authors and the publisher should have balanced their perspective with that of natural-birth practitioners so that women could hear more than one viewpoint.

i gave it two stars instead of one because there is some helpful information. also, on a personal level, this was the book that prompted me to call my midwife because of the early contractions i was experiencing. some other books seemed to imply that the contractions could be normal. in other words, i think this book is most useful for the medically urgent issues that may come up during pregnancy but NOT for a normal, healthy pregnancy that is moving along smoothly. ( )

This is a good introductory book to pregnancy, topics of interest, stages of labor, health concerns and the birthing process.

As with all the Dummies books, there are easy to read reference icons to topics of interest, various boxes of highlighted information, cartoons and pictures.

I consider this a good read as an introduction to pregnancy and the topics a mother-to-be needs to learn about. The average reader can expect approximately one paragraph on their area of interest, with occasional topics getting a highlighted box or page with more details.

The good parts of this book are that it covers a LOT of topics and information in a short time without overwhelming the reader. The editor certainly knows how to layout a book so that 4 or 5 topics in one page don't seem overwhelming and easy to read on the eyes. The reader is taken through the various stages of pregnancy in each trimester, with the normal tests, concerns and general health information presented. The detailed drawings of a woman's changing body are appropriate for older children to view.

What I didn't find in this book: Week by week guides of a woman's changing body, more than a general paragraph of most topics and helpful information for the Father-to-be (see below).

I took a point off of this rating for two reasons: The Father-to-be section (or Partner section) in the back of the book was fairly lame. It really didn't help out the Partner much and for the three or so pages used, talked to the Father-to-be as if they were a Little League Coach teaching children. Editor: Please re-write this section for adults who really want to help out the Mother-to-be, and want to be involved!

The other reason I took off a point was because the book introduces touchy topics but doesn't instruct the Mother-to-be on how to ask questions or deflect unwanted attention, such as belly touches. Sorry guys, telling the woman to deal with it or learn to deflect the unwanted invasive touching is not advice. Get a better writer and give some advice on asking medical questions of your doctor (I propose an insert into the book with questions for each trimester) and how to deal with touchy topics.

A good book for the price, but this book should be supplemented with additional books which contain more detailed information.

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A truly "dumb" book. ( )