cover image YOUR PREGNANCY FOR THE FATHER-TO-BE: Everything You Need to Know about Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Getting Ready for Your New Baby

YOUR PREGNANCY FOR THE FATHER-TO-BE: Everything You Need to Know about Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Getting Ready for Your New Baby

Glade B. Curtis, Judith Schuler, . . Perseus, $13.95 (304pp) ISBN 978-1-55561-345-7

This extremely helpful compendium for "expectant dads"—from the first signs of pregnancy to the weeks after delivery—once again displays why the books in the Your Pregnancy series have become standards in the pregnancy category (Your Pregnancy Questions Answered, Your Pregnancy Week by Week). Like other books for fathers-to-be, this book covers some of the more obvious tips that men still seem to need, such as "Be a part of the pregnancy, right from the beginning," or "Be a good listener." If this is the only book that a man reads about having a newborn, he will have all the right bases covered, from healthy nutrition plans (for baby and dad), common discomforts in a woman's pregnancy, coping with labor pains and effective techniques for bonding with your new baby at home. Where this book really shines, however, is in its presentation of information that isn't always seen as being part of an expectant father's studies, including useful lists of definitions of things such as Braxton-Hicks contractions and Apgar tests, as well as an in-depth look at prenatal tests. Along the way, the authors feature entertaining but informative sidebars on various pregnancy tests ("My Mother-in-Law Said") and memorable moments from Curtis's experiences in the delivery room. (Mar.)