Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong--and What You Really Need to Know Paperback – Deckle Edge, 24 June 2014

I am a maternal and child health researcher with a PhD in public health. This book guided me through my pregnancy and is the only pregnancy book I recommend to my friends. The author synthesizes the current state of research on all the major pregnancy and childbirth health-related topics and presents the evidence, leaving the reader to make decisions. Most pregnancy books give advice based on little more than the whims of authors and doctors (who are fallible like everyone else!), rather than actual research. Many books also take a somewhat paternalistic or infantilizing tone (I'm looking at you, What To Expect -- the worst pregnancy book ever). Expecting Better is readable, clear, and intelligent. I hope you read it. And good luck with your pregnancy!

A very very interesting book if you're a geek (I am). And a great go-to if you need information quickly, but reads like a fast-paced, chatty systematic review. Liked it for the most part but I would only recommend it for the numbers-oriented people out there. There is no interpretation offered (in all fairness the book does not claim it does), but if information is comforting and you can't calculate probabilities, this is probably not for you.Does not reflect on the possible effect of race - much research is done on white women while I am not.

As an expectant mother, I found this book deeply concerning. Despite the author's use of studies to support her stance on alcohol consumption during pregnancy, it is irresponsible to promote such advice. The risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is well-documented, and no amount of evidence can justify endangering a newborn child. Pregnancy requires the utmost responsibility, and if someone has an addiction, it is better to address it before deciding to become a mother. I urge pregnant women to seek reliable sources and avoid this book.

As a chartered physiotherapist (that's physical therapist + respiratory therapist in the US) specialising in pelvic health and woman's health, it was obvious to me that her interpretation of the data regarding pelvic floor exercises (kegels) and exercise in general were lacking the understanding and deeper knowledge required to interpret this data safely. She generalises saying for example that exercises such as plank should be fine... While this is not the case for most or even many pregnant women in the later stages of pregnancy, as it negatively effects abdominal seperation (diastisis rectus). Close supervision by an expert is required to assess if this kind of exercise is safe for a pregnant individual and is not recommended or necessary as other approacges can achieve desired results much more safely. I had been highly impressed with the book up until reading these points... Then I lost faith in the rest of what I had read having seen how misinterpreted this particular topic had been. Admirable attempt at interpreting the data, though I wouldn't trust it for any important decision making.

Well researched and evidence driven unlike most pregnancy advise dished out by the doctors or online. A definite read for expecting parents. Need another one for new parents too

If you’re Indian … need not go for this book !!What to expect when you’re expecting also covers a lot of these topics ! The author in this book gets lost in stories… didn’t find it useful

This is a must read to dispel most of the common myths. The seller has listed it with an unfair markup though, hence a star less.