Pregnancy for Men: The whole nine months

The criticism that this book is 'mostly common sense' is fair - that said, the NHS feel the need to explain risk of birth abnormalities in letters like 'the chance is 1 in 1133' before launching into a long explanation about how you should 'picture yourself before a barrel of 1133 apples, 1132 are green, 1 is red, the chance of you reaching in and finding the red one is about the same chance as your baby having Downs'. What I'm trying to say is, common sense is not as common as you might think. Oh, so the book itself - yes its mostly common sense - but writing in a bright, easy to digest manner full of anecdotes, quotes and useful bits of advice. The author writes in quite a witty, absolutely friendly manner making the book less a 'guide' and more of a 'reassuring hand' which you can read if ever in doubt, and usually you will get a reassurance and also something a little funny that might make you smile. The book is subdivided into the various weeks, with a 'what she is going through', 'what the little one is going through' and 'what you could be going through' and what steps you could be taking. Bite sized, no big words (unless warranted) and with plenty of humorous pictures. Put simply - if you want a helpful, light book (only 288 pages) this is a useful reference book. Particularly if you are not looking for something heavy (literally and figuratively). I feel no need to buy any other guide during the first 9 months.

I got this for my husband, while for myself I got a book written by a midwife. Admittedly, the husband didn't read this (he's just not a big reader in general), but I found it much more informative than the midwife book I got for myself so I have been reading it out loud for him! The chapters are split into months and it's easy to read about one or two months in one sitting. There is plenty of information about what goes on in different stages of pregnancy, but it's not boring and sciency. It's written in a light-hearted, down to earth way. There are also quotes from fathers sharing their experiences - and they're not all the same, showing you there's more than one "normal" scenario. Being the pregnant lady myself, I especially liked the parts about taking care of your lady each month and I was making sure to quote these to my husband! Another very important aspect, which doesn't seem to be covered sufficiently in other pregnancy books, is the consideration of how the couple's relationship changes through pregnancy and even more when the baby comes. I heard that partners often feel neglected as the mum devotes all her attention to the baby. This book covers this very important impact on your relationship in an honest way, making you face the fact that it's going to happen which helps you to prepare. Overall, highly recommended as the one book for both partners to read.

Laugh out loud funny at times, very enjoyable and gives you the information you need while keeping things light most of the time. Does get a little bogged down at times items about how parenting has changed etc and bits of psychology but I don't think you'll find a better read to help you along with your partner. I only started reading the book (from the beginning) about 3 or 4 months into pregnancy and I'm still only up to month 8 (Keeping to a month by month scheme) but I can really relate to some of things this guy has been through and I guess he has learnt from his mistakes!! It was recommended by a friend to me ( Who never read month 9 as he was far too busy looking after the baby!) and I will recommend to friends who come into the same situation!

Aside from the great detail and knowledge the comedic value was fantastic. Found myself chuckling along whilst being reassured by accounts from real father's who have gone through this process before me.

I bought this book for my husband as he didn't show much interest in the pile of pregnancy books I bought for myself. I thought it to be a bit of a gamble first of all because of the mixed reviews I read here and also because I wasn't too sure how he'd take it. I must say I was very impressed! He thoroughly enjoys reading this book and every now and then comes to me and gives me quotes and facts that he just learnt! It's great! And he keeps telling me how funny and well written it is! I'd recommend this book to all dads-to-be! My husband also likes it because it uses real life examples of other men that went through the pregnancy journey together with their partner. It's a light hearted easy read meant to give useful information without using medical or pompous terms.

...and certainly far better in that respect than the other books in this genre that I tried to read. Some of them can actually be quite nasty, assuming that all men are essentially little more than selfish, horny b*stards who are being forced to rustle up some compassion due to impending fatherhood. I found this book to be much better than the others I had tried, striking a nice balance between a conversational, friendly and informal tone, without skimping on some of the more grisly details and taking the subject seriously when seriousness is appropriate. The month-by-month structure is also a very good one, although reading ahead to find out what you have to look forward to is practically impossible to resist. I personally found the book very helpful in a lot of ways - a lot of it is (obviously) focused on mum-to-be and how you can help, which is something that I think a lot of men really want to do but don't always know how. There are also some really good practical tips on when to do certain things, precautions, etc, as well as a small section on what happens after the pregnancy is over and the job of fatherhood begins. I bought a copy for my best mate - can't recommend it more than that.

I haven’t read this book, but have had great feedback from my husband. It sounds like the wording is very much plain and to the point with some use of humour rather than being overly technical. My husband doesn’t usually read books and is more a reader of anything to do with cars and engineering etc. but he bought this book and was pleasantly surprised and has learnt about my pregnancy with me throughout the stages.

I found it really funny at the start, and then as you get to the end months the author repeatedly beats you over the head with the idea that birth is going to be horrific and traumatic, which would just worry any parent! Birth absolutely is not 'traumatic' for many and painting it out like that's the only way it can go is irresponsible and unnecessary. My advice is to take this book with a pinch of salt and ignore all the overly dramatised horrendous experiences that dads are quoted as having during the Month 9 chapter. Instead watch and read positive birth stories and take antenatal classes if you can, which will provide you with much more informative and positively-framed facts!

Found the book a good read and bit more tailored to men compared to some of the other ones. UK based book but you still get the idea and just adjust to Australian Health care system.

My husband liked it

Easy book to read for a first time dad. A lot of illustrations in it.

Great book to know what is going on and how to reassure the other the half whilst knowing you might not panic as much come the big day!

My husband loves this book! I bought another popular one while we waited for this one to become available in Canada and he found it pretty dry. He thinks this one is great though and reads it all the time. He is not a reader, at all, so this is a bonus!