Women's Health

2 volumes.

Includes drawings.

Are you pregnant? -- Now that you are pregnant -- Throughout your pregnancy -- The best-odds diet -- The first month -- The second month -- The third month -- The fourth month -- The fifth month -- The sixth month -- The seventh month -- The eighth month -- The ninth month -- Labor and delivery -- If you get sick -- Coping with a chronic condition -- When something goes wrong -- Postpartum: the first week -- Postpartum: the first six weeks -- Fathers are expectant, too -- Preparing for the next baby.

This traditional, popular guide to pregnancy covers every possible aspect of the prenatal period: pregnancy tests; choosing a caregiver; month-by-month fetal development; eating correctly; sex during pregnancy; common illness symptoms; and childbirth options, including cesarean section and pain medications. The authors also provide a healthful approach to prenatal nutrition, though some women may find it hard to consistently meet their high standards. They use a reassuring and informative tone to describe and answer common concerns and not-so-common problems, and the month-by-month format is particularly clear and helpful. While What to Expect When You're Expecting is an excellent overall guide, parents-to-be interested in a less physician-centered approach are advised to use it in conjunction with other pregnancy resources, such as The Pregnancy Book by William and Martha Sears. --Ericka Lutz