What to Expect When You're Expecting: (Updated in 2025)

I bought What to Expect When You’re Expecting for my daughter as soon as she told me she was pregnant (especially since I had bought an older version for myself when I was pregnant with her years ago and it helped me), and I couldn’t be happier with the choice. This book has been the gold standard for expectant parents for years —it’s informative, comforting, and incredibly well-organized. As a parent (living in another state 13+ hours away), I wanted her to have a resource that was not only medically accurate but also easy to understand and reassuring. The book covers everything from the early stages of pregnancy to labor and delivery, with clear explanations, helpful tips, an app for the phone and answers to questions she didn’t even know to ask yet. She’s mentioned several times how much it’s helped ease her worries and how empowering it feels to be informed at every stage. I also love that it addresses emotional changes, nutrition, partner support, and even those random little symptoms no one talks about. This book has been like a wise, nonjudgmental friend during her pregnancy —something every new mom deserves. If you’re a parent looking for a thoughtful and truly useful gift for your daughter during this special time, I highly recommend this book. It’s a classic for a reason.

Very useful. Great information. Recomended

Great book for first time mom and dad! Lots of good information for all kinds of questions/concerns!

Best pregnancy advice book ever!

This book is an excellent and incredibly helpful resource for anyone expecting. I had purchased a pregnancy book about twenty years ago, and I can confidently say this updated version includes so much more information. It really highlights how much has changed and improved over time. There is a lot of updated and additional information compared to what I remember, and it all feels relevant and useful for today. It gave me a better understanding and more confidence throughout the process. Overall, this is a must have guide that is packed with valuable, up to date information. Highly recommend for anyone expecting or supporting someone who is!

Great source of info, there's a reason this is the book everyone reads. That said, the tone can be a bit obnoxious: the sections "for dads" can be more than a little patronizing- really asking less than the bare minimum of men, and also assuming many stereotypical feelings/gender roles, etc. And for me, the way the book consistently leans into cutesty phrases and platitudes to deliver actual decent info is super annoying. In a section about labor pain it says: "Like they say, it's pain with a purpose- a really cute and cuddly purpose- but it's still a pain." Come on. Just, no. Not everyone having a baby has a singular focus on the cuteness or cuddlyness of their baby... When reading to learn about labor and "what to expect"- this is probably the furthest thing from my mind. So if you like the literary equivalent of a baby headband bow, and you'll love it... if not, it's still 100% worth reading but just be ready for that.

Such a great book for an expecting mother. Lots of things in there that you didnt even know. Lots of things the Drs dont even tell you. Highly recommend

I was gifted this book when I got pregnant with my first son & I absolutely LOVED it! It was so hard not to read ahead because it was so informative but I wanted to stay on track with the timing of my pregnancy so I forced myself not to read ahead. Lol Fast forward 21 years later & my niece is expecting her first child so I bought the book for her & she loves it too! It has helped her to better understand what's going on with baby & her body. I highly recommend this book for all first time parents. It has a wealth of knowledge & is quite comforting to know what's happening during each trimester.