TTMA Pregnancy/Birth/Baby Development books

[lennonkdc]

I'm a big reader and I'm looking for some good books on pregnancy, child birth and child development. What books are you reading or what did you read the first time around?  

[agpjt413]

Love threads like these lennonkdc! Will keep an eye on this one!

[lennonkdc]

I just finished Expecting Better by Emily Oster. She's an economist, not an MD, so the book was a little controversial. Basically she was frustrated with the vagaries and blanket restrictions given to pregnant women and went in search of the medical studies that these recommendations come from. I really liked the statistical/science based approach and how empowering it is. I'm not saying that I agree with all the choices she made in her pregnancy, but I respect her research and methodology.

[spicysalmonroll]

I'm boring. When I found out, I went right on Amazon and got the standard What to Expect when you're Expecting. lol. I'm finding it really good/informative though.

[NariaDreaming]

I purchased Dude, you're gonna be a dad for DH for Christmas

[misshart00]

I try not to read many books. After reading what to expect when you're expecting, I was thoroughly freaked out and convinced that everything would go wrong.

[joy]

I forgot about "Expecting Better." I should pick that up.

I already have some really strong opinions about all the restrictions on pregnant women so I'm curious if I will find myself nodding along a lot to her book. Haha.

[lennonkdc]

Dec 23, 2015 10:39:39 GMT -5 joy said:

I forgot about "Expecting Better." I should pick that up.

I already have some really strong opinions about all the restrictions on pregnant women so I'm curious if I will find myself nodding along a lot to her book. Haha.

I find many of the blanket restrictions to be really paternalistic, and based on the fact that women can't understand the concept of 'moderation'. Expecting Better did a really nice of job of cutting the BS, giving you the data and giving you the tools to make a decision that you are comfortable with. I also liked the stats based approach, because I'm a huge nerd lol.   

[joy]

Dec 23, 2015 11:05:08 GMT -5 lennonkdc said:

Dec 23, 2015 10:39:39 GMT -5 joy said:

I forgot about "Expecting Better." I should pick that up.

I already have some really strong opinions about all the restrictions on pregnant women so I'm curious if I will find myself nodding along a lot to her book. Haha.

I find many of the blanket restrictions to be really paternalistic, and based on the fact that women can't understand the concept of 'moderation'. Expecting Better did a really nice of job of cutting the BS, giving you the data and giving you the tools to make a decision that you are comfortable with. I also liked the stats based approach, because I'm a huge nerd lol.  

I'm a Ph.D. chemist so..... we're nerds together :-)

I'm going to buy it this afternoon with my shiny new Barnes and Noble gift card!

[lennonkdc]

Dec 23, 2015 11:09:10 GMT -5 joy said:

Dec 23, 2015 11:05:08 GMT -5 lennonkdc said:

I find many of the blanket restrictions to be really paternalistic, and based on the fact that women can't understand the concept of 'moderation'. Expecting Better did a really nice of job of cutting the BS, giving you the data and giving you the tools to make a decision that you are comfortable with. I also liked the stats based approach, because I'm a huge nerd lol.  

I'm a Ph.D. chemist so..... we're nerds together :-)

I'm going to buy it this afternoon with my shiny new Barnes and Noble gift card!

Yay another nerd! I'm a lawyer so I'm all about evidence and research...

[pttomato]

Dec 23, 2015 11:09:10 GMT -5 joy said:

Dec 23, 2015 11:05:08 GMT -5 lennonkdc said:

I find many of the blanket restrictions to be really paternalistic, and based on the fact that women can't understand the concept of 'moderation'. Expecting Better did a really nice of job of cutting the BS, giving you the data and giving you the tools to make a decision that you are comfortable with. I also liked the stats based approach, because I'm a huge nerd lol.  

I'm a Ph.D. chemist so..... we're nerds together :-)

I'm going to buy it this afternoon with my shiny new Barnes and Noble gift card!

Not to derail this thread too much but, Hey! I am a PhD chemist too!

[musicgirl]

Another vote for Expecting Better. I found it really informative and I liked her approach. I also bought What to Expect and found it generally interesting, but between my pregnancy apps and other web sites it was kind of redundant.

[lennonkdc]

musicgirl, I thumbed through what to expect & came to the same conclusion...

[dc2london]

Dec 23, 2015 10:37:30 GMT -5 misshart00 said:

I try not to read many books. After reading what to expect when you're expecting, I was thoroughly freaked out and convinced that everything would go wrong.

That book is the worst.
"You may experience mild to moderate nausea during pregnancy. However, if you expel more than 12 oz of cumulative vomit during the first 12 weeks, your skin will shrivel like a vampire and your house will inexplicably burst into flames and your baby will be born looking exactly like your creepy great uncle howard"

[ameliabird]

I never read What to Expect but my OB recommended "You: Having a Baby" with my first. It was cowritten by Dr. Oz and seems to be better.
Also, "Happiest baby on the block" is great! After reading your pregnancy books, read that one

[joy]

Dec 23, 2015 11:13:29 GMT -5 pttomato said:

Dec 23, 2015 11:09:10 GMT -5 joy said:

I'm a Ph.D. chemist so..... we're nerds together :-)

I'm going to buy it this afternoon with my shiny new Barnes and Noble gift card!

Not to derail this thread too much but, Hey! I am a PhD chemist too!

Oooooooooh.  We're a rare breed.  What are you doing these days?  I'm still a post doc (five years later) because I'm lazy.  I don't want to be a PI and industry is all outside the city (so commuting...).  I may just be a career staff scientist.

[pttomato]

Dec 23, 2015 11:59:17 GMT -5 joy said:

Dec 23, 2015 11:13:29 GMT -5 pttomato said:

Not to derail this thread too much but, Hey! I am a PhD chemist too!

Oooooooooh.  We're a rare breed.  What are you doing these days?  I'm still a post doc (five years later) because I'm lazy.  I don't want to be a PI and industry is all outside the city (so commuting...).  I may just be a career staff scientist.

Still trying to get a job in the field (it's been 2 years now). Idk what to do now that I'm pregnant though, there's no way I'll get hired for a lab job so I am trying to figure out some other semi-related options.

[juliayadda]

I read what to expect back in 06 but it was a ten year old copy haha. It was helpful just skip the 7th month...

I think I will try to find a Canadian geared book this time.

[dc2london]

Oh Happiest Baby on the block is a must read in 3rd tri. The 4 S's are absolutely invaluable

[joy]

Dec 23, 2015 12:10:52 GMT -5 pttomato said:

Dec 23, 2015 11:59:17 GMT -5 joy said:

Oooooooooh.  We're a rare breed.  What are you doing these days?  I'm still a post doc (five years later) because I'm lazy.  I don't want to be a PI and industry is all outside the city (so commuting...).  I may just be a career staff scientist.

Still trying to get a job in the field (it's been 2 years now). Idk what to do now that I'm pregnant though, there's no way I'll get hired for a lab job so I am trying to figure out some other semi-related options.

My lab is in a strange place and the funding runs out in November 2016.  Priority number 1 in January is securing funding for myself with my current PI for at least another year.

Science is hard.  Good luck to you!

[joy]

Dec 23, 2015 12:36:06 GMT -5 juliayadda said:

I read what to expect back in 06 but it was a ten year old copy haha. It was helpful just skip the 7th month...

I think I will try to find a Canadian geared book this time.

HI JULIAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

[NariaDreaming]

Dec 23, 2015 13:04:16 GMT -5 joy said:

Dec 23, 2015 12:10:52 GMT -5 pttomato said:

Still trying to get a job in the field (it's been 2 years now). Idk what to do now that I'm pregnant though, there's no way I'll get hired for a lab job so I am trying to figure out some other semi-related options.

My lab is in a strange place and the funding runs out in November 2016.  Priority number 1 in January is securing funding for myself with my current PI for at least another year.

Science is hard.  Good luck to you!

This makes me so happy that my husband's lab is privately funded. Now if he can just get out of the vivarium and back into the lab, life would be perfect

[gratefulgirl]

-1 to What to Expect. It had me panicked.

+1 to Happiest Baby on the Block

For newborn care, Heading Home With Your Newborn was very relaxed and practical.

For a nice explanation of newborn sleep I liked The Sleep Lady's Good Night, Sleep Tight best.

[esquette]

I'm reading the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. It's pretty straightforward so far! Good information, not too scary. It gets good reviews on Amazon.

[dc2london]

Ditto the Sleep Lady. She helped me ease my bedsharing baby into his crib when we were all ready

[alygohome]

Only book I read was healthy sleep habits happy child when my 6 month old would only sleep 45 min at a time. Helped cause now she sleeps 12-14 hrs. But I didn't read any pregnancy books, my pregnancy had lots of complications and I knew dd would be a preemie and reading what else could go wrong freaked me out. Not sure if I will read more this time!

[redthestral13]

Dec 23, 2015 11:49:45 GMT -5 dc2london said:

Dec 23, 2015 10:37:30 GMT -5 misshart00 said:

I try not to read many books. After reading what to expect when you're expecting, I was thoroughly freaked out and convinced that everything would go wrong.

That book is the worst.
"You may experience mild to moderate nausea during pregnancy. However, if you expel more than 12 oz of cumulative vomit during the first 12 weeks, your skin will shrivel like a vampire and your house will inexplicably burst into flames and your baby will be born looking exactly like your creepy great uncle howard"

I died at this!

[redthestral13]

My first time around I read what to expect and it was straightforward for someone who was as naive as I was, but yes to the previous statements about it being redundant.

Last time most of what I read was at the beginning of the pregnancy and it was all stuff online, mostly birth stories--they give me all the feels.

[eaglewife]

Dec 23, 2015 15:16:51 GMT -5 esquette said:

I'm reading the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. It's pretty straightforward so far! Good information, not too scary. It gets good reviews on Amazon.

I came in to recommend the Mayo Clinic book too. I was gifted WTE and got Mayo on my own. Mayo was much more straightforward and so much less vague.

[juliayadda]

Dec 23, 2015 13:05:51 GMT -5 joy said:

Dec 23, 2015 12:36:06 GMT -5 juliayadda said:

I read what to expect back in 06 but it was a ten year old copy haha. It was helpful just skip the 7th month...

I think I will try to find a Canadian geared book this time.

HI JULIAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

Ya I am going here hahaha.