The Expectant Father: A Comprehensive Guide for Dads-to-Be

Gregory C. Poe: On one hand, I loved the content of this book. And every chapter came at a relevant time (like college funds were a significant part of one chapter). However, I didn't enjoy the writer's style for two reasons:

1) He keeps essentially saying "pregnancy is so hard for men". It isn't for me. I look at my wife who's getting more and more uncomfortable, and it feels silly to make myself a victim.
2) He writes with a lens of worst case scenarios. If you're someone thinks that way, that's great. But I kept feeling like the author comes from a place of fear.

Regardless, the concept for the book is great, and the content is great. I plan on reading this and the follow-ups.

United States on May 09, 2021

Carl: It was the perfect what to expect guide, please do judge this book by its cover, a fantastic read.

United Kingdom on Jun 08, 2020

Roberta Pirrone: My husband enjoys reading the book with every month of gestational stage of the baby.
This book gives a fine overview on what is happening with woman's body as well as what expectations to set for the man towards the woman, as the comfort in ones' body has changes, thus changing the balance in a relationship.

A nice read and also helps a woman to explain things to the man.

Germany on May 08, 2020

Mt: Un libro muy entretenido, especialmente para alguien que no lee mucho, es fácil de leer!

Mexico on Aug 29, 2019

Henrique B: A lot of information for any new father. Good to have a book about birth through the lens of a Man.
Helped me a lot.

Brazil on Jun 24, 2019

Paul B.: This book is perfect for expectant fathers. Unlike mothers, who have every single book, blog, and passing comment at the street aimed at them, there is precious little the looks at pregnancy and the birthing experience through the lens of the father. Add to that the fact that this book includes huge amounts of research and data, and this could very well be the only book a dad needs to read (I wouldn't recommend that, but it could be).

Most of all, this book is broken down into manageable chunks - month by month bites. I'd always read one month ahead, so I knew what was coming, and it made all the difference. The perspective that it's written from is also super accessible - "what's going on with your partner, what's going on with you, what's going on with your baby" was exactly how I was thinking about my wife's pregnancy.

I have dad friends from all walks of life, this is the one book we all agreed on. If you're an expectant father, or know one, buy this book now - and rest easier.

Canada on Feb 09, 2019

TheEarls: I bought this for my husband as a gift, and it has really, really helped the pregnancy process. I got so sick my first trimester that I literally couldn't eat, or drink water, and neither one of us was prepared for how bad it was (if someone is going through something similar, try drinking meal replacement shakes that are safe for pregnancy all day. It helped me a lot, and even if you do throw it up it comes up easy and doesn't taste as terrible as solid food. It also saves you from having to throw up stomach bile, which is the absolute worst. Stay strong xoxo, it passes.)

Even though my first 6-11 weeks was horror-movie worthy, my husband stepped up like crazy and took care of me the entire time. I don't know what's in this book because I've only skimmed it, but it seems like it's very affirming about motherhood and fatherhood. I feel like my husband knows everything there is to know now. I'll tell him something that's going on with my body, and he'll explain stuff to me! I find it kind of hilarious, cute, and super endearing to know that I have such a supportive partner, and he credits this book with much of the information he's learned.

Pregnant lady approved.

United States on Jan 12, 2017

Justin Crostic: This book has provided a wealth of knowledge for me preparing to be a first time dad. Like many pregnancy books it is laid out in chapters corresponding to different time periods of a pregnancy, in chronological order of course. My favorite part about this book is the straightforward approach the author takes and it feels like "real" information, not just what experts agree on. Sometimes you just need to know what's going on, what to expect, and what works without all of the scientific jargon and medical advice that may not always be practical. But this book is definitely practical.

Each chapter starts with sections like "What's going on with your partner" and "What's going on with the baby" which are very helpful. They are basically letting you know what symptoms (physical and emotional) that your spouse may be going through at that time as well as where the baby should be developmentally. It then has a section "What's going on with you" before going into other areas like nutrition or finances or estate planning. This book does spend a decent (but not extensive) time talking about fertility treatments, adopting, and military dads in special boxes throughout some chapters....

United States on Aug 01, 2016

Mike B: I bought this for my best friend who just found out his wife and him were expecting. I had originally bought the older edition when my wife was pregnant with our current 5 year old and it was a life saver. What I love about these books is you don't have to sit down and read it all front to back to understand everything that is happening. The book has chapters for every month of the pregnancy and even what to expect after birth. What I loved most was I was able to read the month that my wife was in and keep up with what/how she was feeling so we could experience it together as much as possible I knew the size of the child that month, what it was doing, how it growing, and how this month of pregnancy was affecting my wife. I knew ahead of time what feelings for her to expect and remind her what was normal and not normal.

Before I read the book I felt pretty left out of the whole process. I felt like I was just a spectator and my wife was the only one going through the adventure. This book changed that. I would especially recommend this book for first time fathers.

United States on Jun 10, 2016

Laila: My husband & I both read this book. We loved it so much. I honestly wish they wrote pregnancy books for women like this. Very informative, uses simple enough language, wonderful sense of humour without degrading a man's role in the pregnancy or talking down about the hormones & body changes we go through like other books do. Honestly, there's nothing the book doesn't have. As a military spouse reading this book who's author is a former marine, there were even parts that relates specifically to our life. The chapters are organised by each month of the pregnancy & each chapter is divided into three sections: "what's going on with your partner," "what's going on with your baby," & "what's going on with you." Then after all 9 months, he goes into a very in-depth but straight forward & easy to read look at the labour & delivery with the sections divided by phases & stages, then there's a whole chapter on C-Sections, what to do after baby's born, & closes out with a chapter called "Fathering Today." The appendix is even completely loaded with tons of outside resources. Bottom line, don't waste your time of money anywhere else. Cover to cover, this guy...

United States on Apr 29, 2016