Customer Reviews
Good but wordy 
2008-05-08
This is a great book for expectant fathers- it is a bit wordy, so if your partner is not naturally a reader, you may want something else. It does address topics such as finances, fatherhood worries, and mother-in-laws.
Perfect for both parents 
2008-05-05
My husband had this book bought as a gift. He's finished the whole thing as I just started my 8 month. He loved it. It had such good information in it he's referred to several of his friends and strangers we've come across. A few pages he made me read about what to pack and what to expect during delivery at the hospital. Excellent book!
Good source of quick (and in-depth) information 2008-04-28
The format of the book is particularily helpful in that it presents the reader with the quick, down-and-dirty information that one is looking for, but also digs a bit deeper. So far, I have found the timing of the information to be perfect with regard to what I am looking for and which concerns may arise with regard to gestational timing.
This is my first child, so the information is especially appreciated.
Sadly, a bit outdated 
2008-04-18
It wasn't until I made it quite far into the book that I realized that a lot of it just seemed a bit outdated. And then I checked the date it was published - 2001. This book is in serious need of an update! Certainly, there is a lot of valuable advice that shouldn't be discounted, but there is much that has changed that relying merely on this book for us guys is not a good thing. The book does a very good job talking about what partners go through during the pregnancy and I am sure many of us can relate.
OTOH, there are some areas in the book that the authors probably weren't well qualified to discuss. For instance, there is a chapter on finance and money. The authors try to make a case or should we say gratuitous advertisement promoting financial planners. The last sentence of the chapter about sums it up:
"So, unless you're a financial planner, stockbroker or insurance agent yourself, you've probably got no business making major financial decisions without advice."
This is about the biggest bunch of BS in the book. Personally, I have never had the need to spend/waste money on a financial planner and have done just fine. In fact, I know of too many folks who have gotten burned by financial planners. All I can say is buyer beware. It doesn't take much effort to learn about investing and you will be better off.
The book casually discusses C-sections and merely shrugs off the fact that 30% of births in the US end this way. The authors neglect to mention that the US has one of the worse rates of C-sections in developed countries and that the rate has risen from less than 5% to over 30% in the last 30 years. Regardless of how you and your partner choose to have your baby, you will be doing yourself a big favor watching a wonderful documentary called "The Business of Being Born". This documentary discusses many of the factors that have led to countless numbers of C-sections, an overwhelming majority of which were unnecessary. Hospitals make huge bucks from the meds such as Pitocin, and possibility of getting to do a C-section that it is amazing when a new mom can escape with a total natural birth void of any of these.
I will give the authors credit for recommending Doulas, which is some of the best advice in the book.
Infortmative and borning 2008-04-15
The book has a lot of relevant information and the author does provide a lot of "dad-tips" but it can be really boring and quite a dry read. Expectant dad should read this, but because it's so dry, a lot of guys won't get through the first few chapters.
My partner won't read... 2008-04-07
An information-packed guide to all the emotional, financial and physical changes the father-to-be may experience during the course of his partner's pregnancy. Incorporating the wisdom of top experts in the field, from obstetricians and birth-class instructors to psychologists and sociologists, this book is filled with sound advice and practical tips for men, as well as
New Yorker-style cartoons that will keep anxious fathers-to-be chuckling.
Good, Helpful, Thorough 2008-03-30
I bought this book for my husband when I got pregnant. He said it's been helpful and informative.
It's OK, don't expect much 
2008-03-25
I felt like the author kept repeating himself over and over in each chapter.
The author is also a very sensitive guy, I leave that to your own interpretation.
not so helpful 2008-03-05
I hardly touched it. It was given to me by someone. Well, given to me to give to my husband when I was pregnant. "The Birth Partner" is a much better book, and my husband swears by it, and even buys it for his friends whose wives are getting pregnant. In fact, something happened during the birth part that is almost completely described and covered in the book "The Birth Partner". This one is probably a bit too polished (make it less real) for the dads to be. If you are a husband that wants to be involved quite a bit, go get "The Birth Partner" instead of this.
Pretty good information 2008-03-03
This book errs on the side of ignorance and is a little old fashioned (for example, the chapter devoted to "What happens if you have to go grocery shopping if your wife can't while she's pregnant.") However, if you understand that some parts are dumbed down or out of date, it's over all a good book. A lot is geared towards things my husband likes to think about - financial planning, how to help me feel better, etc.
