The Pregnancy Countdown Book: Nine Months of Practical Tips, Useful Advice, and Uncensored Truths

I have purchased many, many pregnancy books over my two pregnancies (especially during the first one). This is the only one I've repurchased during my second pregnancy because I lent all my books to someone who never gave them back. I've also bought it for some close friends when they've been struggling and needed a boost. I love it. It's the best thing I've read that's geared for pregnant women in the throes of the wonderful weirdness, and world-turned-upside-down-ness that is pregnancy. I love the sense of humor to this book. It makes me laugh out loud. I feel like I have someone to commiserate with about the annoyances of pregnancy, but without snarkiness or real meanness or the kind of opinionatedness that excludes. For instance, my favorite posting: "Wanted: The not-so-brilliant guy (we know it wasn't a woman) who coined the completely inaccurate term 'morning sickness.' Reward: You get to vomit on him at 8 p.m." That's exactly what I needed to hear when I was throwing up around 8 p.n. The book couldn't stop that, but it could make me laugh about it rather than cry. My sister sent me the "Girlfriend's Guide" book, but I found it often just made me feel bad about myself or else took positions that weren't helpful and that made me insecure. For instance, at one, point, it insisted that first-time mothers should forgo midwives and just work with an OB so they don't have to worry about things. Well, I was one of those women who was raised to be completely terrified of labor from when I was a little girl--the "epidural at the first sign of pain" sort, even though I'm pretty tough in other respects, athletically, etc. Then I met a woman, now a dear friend, who slowly helped me to be able to approach labor with far less fear and more empowerment and healthiness, and it felt really important to me to try to do it without medication, if I could. This is not something I feel everyone should do--just something for me, given my previous fear. (And I did it!! And I felt so empowered through the process!) The Girlfriend's Guide book made me feel ashamed for some of these decisions and things that were empowering me by making fun of them. Whereas this wonderful book doesn't judge any woman for how she is deciding to go about things (aside from genuinely terrible things like drinking extensively or smoking while pregnant). Instead, it is informative and fun and realistic. I love it and would recommend it to pretty much any pregnant woman. It also doesn't baby or speak down to women, which seems really important to me. And the multiple perspectives from medical professionals and other mothers, the tips, really come in handy.

This is the 3rd or 4th time I've purchased this book over the years. The first time was for myself and the subsequent times were gifts for expectant friends/family. This is the only pregnancy book I read cover to cover and I'm sure it's because it was so fun and approachable. Every other booked was heaped in so much detail that it was tedious to get through. This book was also full of helpful quotes from new mothers. The overall feel of the book was very, "it's okay, don't sweat the small stuff". I would read about of a week of material at once and get ahead and then have to stop myself from reading too much! I would read this book in the evenings before bed and it would get me excited for what to expect next and give me helpful tips for when the baby came. The most recent friend I gave this book too just stopped by my office a week ago to tell me how much she is enjoying it and how she does the same thing I used to do! Read ahead and make herself stop so she didn't get too far ahead. Recommend for any first pregnancy!

This book was my favorite during pregnancy because I could read just a short tidbit each morning. It has some tips that I had not read anywhere else (which is surprising because I was one of those people who bought four different books so I could be informed on what was going on and what to expect). It is funny in places as well and seemed to talk about the symptoms I was having in the exact week I was having them. I will be giving this book as a gift to any friends who become pregnant for the first time.

I personally have this book and have given it as gifts to 2 first time moms. It had nice medical info about pregnancy, similar to what to expect and the bump weekly break downs. Also has "from the trenches" section where you hear from real moms. Helpful hints, funny antidotes and MD advice throughout. Talks about different forms of conception and even runs past due date for babies that aren't ready yet. I really enjoyed that there is a page for each day of pregnancy. The only downfall I found was that I waited until I was 10 weeks to get the book, so you miss a ton in the beginning, or it doesn't apply to you. But the recipients of my gifts have both enjoyed it, despite them being 12 weeks already.

This little book has made such a big impact during my pregnancy. It is small and compact and perfect for flipping through when curious about what is happening during my pregnancy. It is not as "all encompassing" as other pregnancy reference books, but that is why I like it. It lists interesting facts that relate to every day of the pregnancy. I really enjoy the paragraphs written about interviews with real moms and their experiences. There are also paragraphs written by a doctor for a medical opinion. It is the perfect book for someone who likes to know the gist of what is happening and what to expect. I have supplemental texts if I feel the need to really study my pregnancy. The Pregnancy Countdown is a fun, interesting, quick reference book that I recommend to any expectant mom who is curious about the facts and doesn't feel like or have time to read an encyclopedia.

The Good: There are some useful hints and there are quotes from experienced mothers offering good advice. It's encouraging to read that other mothers share your concerns. The Bad: Overall, there's very little actual information beyond a handful of tidbits. Some of the information seems outdated despite the fact that this is not an old book (this book implies that you have to buy a bassinet but the fact is you don't actually NEED one). Also, while the day-by-day layout of this book is interesting, it's not very practical. If you're looking for one specific issue, you'll have a hard time finding it. The Ugly: A lot of this book is written in a "cutesy" tone that I found annoying. When I'm looking for practical information the last thing I want to read is girly chit-chat. The bottom line is I'm a straightforward, matter-of-fact person and while this isn't a terrible book it's just not my kind of book. I recommend "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" and "Baby Bargains" instead of this book.

When I found out I was pregnant I bought four pregnancy books on Amazon. This book is by far the best, and is the only book I read the entire pregnancy. The layout is fantastic; breaking pregnancy down day by day makes it much easier to get through. I read a page a day to my husband and we always laughed at how truthful it was. I felt like I could have written it! The book's message is true: Pregnancy is great in many ways, but it is HARD WORK and there are more downsides than upsides until the baby comes out. It made me feel like I was not alone on the days where I felt like the end would never come. The information provided is accurate, factual, and humorous all at the same time. There is no other book like it! Buy this!

A fun and light-hearted pregnancy read. I like that there's one entry per day, because I find myself constantly wanting to learn something new about science experiment I've gotten myself into. Some info is a little dated now, but the "advice from the trenches" sections (quotes from real moms) have held up well. And some sections from the author are just laugh-out-loud funny. But I would definitely read this in combination with something more substantial and up-to-date. There's a lot of generalization, like "now that you're well into maternity clothes" or "now that you're feeling baby kick" that didn't line up with my personal experience. I've been reading this as I go, along with using a couple different pregnancy apps, and I find that creates a good balance of information. I also bought the Mayo Clinic's Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, which is more of a reference book and great for getting the facts and science side of things.

This book is a total failure. It is very shallow with no substance.

This is an easy read that you can read just a few pages at a time. I looked forward to the different days. Well written, lots of good info and helpful tips for pregnancy. This is one of the only pregnancy books that I made it all the way through

In this countdown you will find some entertaining and instructive material for each countdown day. I recommend it specially for first time moms.

I had this book on my night stand and I was reading it every other day. I was even sharing some parts with my husband. Pregnancy facts written in a funny/sarcastic way. As you read along, you feel good that less and less days are left until delivery date. Nice light and humorous literature taking into account that pregnancy is no funny business.

Great little book with facts for every day! Nice funny facts that make you realise that everything is the new normal!