The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads-to-Be, Second Edition

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by: A. J. Koch (Kodiak, AK)
on: Friday, 22-October-2010

I bought this for my Husband when I bought my baby books. He read it so fast and kept stopping to tell me Did you know (blank) is going to happen? Thats crazy. He is now the go to guy for the expectant fathers at my office and is so understanding anytime I have an issue. He says yup they said that would happen in my book, sorry about that
It was great!!!

by: L K 2010 (United States)
on: Thursday, 21-October-2010

Loved getting this book read through it in private and am saying to give to my husband when we find out that we are pregnant! :)

by: L. Flowers (Evansville, IN)
on: Wednesday, 20-October-2010

I am not much of a reader, but when I became the Expectant Father five years ago for the first time, I found myself searching everywhere for answers as to what in the heck was going on with my wife and what I should expect as the B-Day got closer. Well, as the saying goes, There are no stupid questions, and this book confirmed this. Most of the off the wall questions finally had an answer in between the covers of this book.

.Awesome information at the right time.

A must read for anyone who is expecting for the first time.

A +++

by: K. Hurd (Las Vegas, NV)
on: Saturday, 16-October-2010

I love it! I just picked it up today and I cant put it down! It is a very easy and informative read. I blew threw three chapters today.
The author puts in plenty of personal advice and is very thorough in research. The part I love about this book is that it breaks a pregnancey out month by month and tells you whats going on with her and whats going on with you. The main focus being you, the dad to be.
It answers some of the questions you already have and gives you more questions you havent even dreamed of yet. One of the continuing themes is communication and understanding. It is actually getting me excited about being a father and past the whole oh my god Im going to throw up stage and shear terror stages.
I think it will be a great book.
Thank you

by: Someone Who Cares (Pasadena, CA)
on: Friday, 15-October-2010

I will be a new first-time father soon, and after beginning to read this book in the library I realized it was just what I needed to learn how to prepare and help my wife prepare for parenthood. However, not only am I NOT the fastest reader, but I also dont have much free time to read, The Expectant Father ON CD is perfect for me to pop in the car CD player and listen to on my long commute to and from home every day. Instead of sounding like a boring lecture, it sounds more like a casual conversation tone that keeps my attention. Not only that, but the content is virtually 100% relevant (unlike many pregnancy books Ive looked through which is more prone to skimming). Plus, the learnning I get from simply repeating the same CD a few times is much better than trying to reread a book repeatedly to really learn the things I need to be there for my wife, and to be prepared myself for the next nine months. I would definitely recommend this book, and especially the Audio CD verson for dads on the Go.

by: meredithstomlin (United States)
on: Monday, 11-October-2010

This book was recommended by a friend, so I purchased it for my husband to read and learn about all that is going on with my pregnancy. He will read it then ask me questions. It has been really helpful for us both. The book also does a good job of keeping his attention rather than boring him to death, so he looks forward to reading up on whats going on and whats to come.

by: (United States)
on: Sunday, 3-October-2010

there is some good information in this book and i did find it worth buying; however, some of the information is outdated. this second edition is from 2001 and may be missing some relevant info. this book also stopped functioning right when i was supposed to start the ninth month. tried deleting and redownloading several times but the issue still has not been resolved.

by: NewbieMom (United States)
on: Tuesday, 28-September-2010

I was so hard for me to get my husband to join in the fun of my pregnancy. I found this book at a second hand story for 25 cents and took a shot at it. My husband read right through it! He said that he loved the little pregnancy comics. I ended up reading this book myself and realized this book really spoke right to soon to be Dads. It also helped my husband understand a lot of what I was going through. I bought this book for my husbands brother now that they are having a baby! I know hes going to enjoy it!

by: Richard Spain (Virginia beach, VA. USA)
on: Wednesday, 15-September-2010

This book prepares you what to expect from not only the months before the baby arrives but what changes you can expect in you and your wife. This book covers it all.

by: Adrienne (Columbia, MO)
on: Sunday, 12-September-2010

I bought this book for my husband after his interest in What to Expect and my other pregnancy books waned. After thinking about it, its no wonder--most of the information in those books is about me, not our baby, and this book is written from a fathers perspective. Hes been steadily reading this as we progress in our pregnancy and shares the things he learns with me. I love that he has a source of information written specifically for him. :)

by: Megan Kitze-Ward (Milwaukee, WI)
on: Monday, 30-August-2010

This is a great book! Easy to read - broken up by months - quick read with great tips. A good way to keep up with whats happening.

by: Deanna (Rhode Island)
on: Sunday, 13-June-2010

Ive been to many baby showers, and of course everyone always brings a gift for the new mom. If you really want to impress, bring something for the dad too! This makes a terrific gift, and will keep the dad from feeling left out of all the hoopla.

by: J. Warner (USA)
on: Monday, 10-May-2010

Im so thankful that I ran across this book! I had quite quickly tired of the pregnancy books that assumed I would not be an active part of the pregnancy, hailed from the 50s, or was reluctant to be involved. This book assumes otherwise, and (wonder of wonders) doesnt diminish the role a father can play through the process, but rather tries to enhance it.

The Expectant Father is aimed at the new dad who wants to help his partner through the process, wants to know whats going on with the pregnancy at any given point, and wants to get his needs met as well so he can be a better dad.

Basically I liked it for the following reasons:
1) it didnt talk down to me
2) lots of information, such as recipes, things to keep around the house, etc
3) it acknowledged my place as a father at a level with the mother
4) its accessible and very easy to read.
5) the author assumes I actually want to be a dad, and want to be an active part of the pregnancy (it isnt cajoling me into doing things)

If youre a sensitive, thinking father (or partner to one) I highly recommend this book.

by: Hawley P. Morrison (Washington, DC)
on: Wednesday, 28-April-2010

I got this for my husband based on the positive reviews and I liked the style and approach the book seemed to have. I enjoyed it when it arrived, too, and I even read some of it myself. I liked what they had to say but what my husband found was that the book assumes a middle to upper class father who is probably white, preppy, and in his thirties- established in his career (which is likely a corporate or executive desk job) and whatnot. Were in our twenties and my husband is getting his second masters degree. Were not exactly in the same position as the author seems to assume, and so my husband has stopped reading it. He read about half of it, before saying that he thinks the major point he got from the book was simply to listen to me - to try and hear what my needs and fears and joys are, and to respond to them accordingly. I think if you fit the sort of intended audience for the book, then its probably fantastic for you to read... If you dont, then its alright but not all that uniquely helpful. I liked the authors sense of humor and approach in writing, but wish my husband felt the advice and discussions were more beneficial.

by: Lurch (Australia)
on: Saturday, 10-April-2010

If you want to know what is going through your partners mind and how you can support her from month to month during her pregnancy, this is the book for you. Contrary to what some men may expect, the father of the baby-to-be plays a huge role for many months up to the birth of the baby. This book analyzes the psychology of both the mother and father throughout the pregnancy and gives essential advice to the father on preparation and support. Of all father-to-be books that Ive read, this one is unique from its perspective and understanding of the parents minds. By far, the best book Ive read for new fathers.

by: J. Jones (Los Angeles)
on: Saturday, 3-April-2010

I was wary of buying ANY books relating to pregnancy or childrearing for my husband, but these books were worth it. Firstly, the book relies upon usable, relatable information to draw the reader in, as opposed to some male-oriented books in which the tone is overly casual and joke-y. Secondly, this advice reads less like a textbook and more like the wise advice of an imaginary father of 10 who also happens to be a terrific pediatrician. Luckily I opted to buy the 3-book set, because now I know all of these books will come in handy as we embark upon first-time parenthood.

by: Chad Oberholtzer (Boalsburg, PA, USA)
on: Saturday, 20-March-2010

As a first-time father approaching the due date, I have read several books for new dads to get myself at least somewhat prepared for this major life transition. I have generally been disappointed by other books because they were too low on content (The Pocket Idiots Guide to Being an Expectant Father) and/or very high on stupid, often crass, jokes (The Guys Guide to Surviving Pregnancy, Childbirth and the First Year of Fatherhood; The New Dads Survival Guide). The driving assumption for these books seems to have been that men are stupid and require juvenile humor to remain engaged. Thankfully, Armin Brotts The Expectant Father is an exception to that rule.

The greatest asset of the book is its comprehensive nature. Brott covers it all, month by month. He discusses countless physiological, psychological, emotional, and logistical issues that are likely to confront most new parents, specifically speaking from the perspective of the father. There were a few times when my wife would read a paragraph or two over my shoulder, and she was surprised to actually read some information that she had not read in any of the eight pregnancy books that she had already finished. I appreciated the fact that Brott seems to assume that there are thoughtful, intelligent men out there who want to learn as much as possible to help their wives as much as possible through pregnancy and to transition well into fatherhood, and he offers substantial information accordingly.

My primary critiques of this book actually resonate with many who gave it a one-star rating. Though I think such a low rating does not sufficiently reflect the very helpful information that is included, I agree with others that this book seemed to have a bizarre overemphasis on the role of fathers in pregnancy and parenting. Frankly speaking, no matter how much some men may wish otherwise, we are not equal partners with our wives in the pregnancy process. In fact, its not even close. There is no person growing inside of me! I am convinced that my needs and my issues are clearly of secondary importance to the needs and issues of my wife during this time, and maintaining that prioritization seems to be rather important. But Brotts book is so father-centered as to at least occasionally lose sight of that reality.

I also found the final chapter, Fathering Today, to be a rather whining, pathetic diatribe against anything that might suggest that mothers can play a more prominent role than fathers in raising children. Im certainly a huge proponent of fathers being highly involved in raising their kids. Thats why Im reading lots of books about this stuff. But I am perfectly comfortable with the notion that there are things that my wife knows and can do for our baby that I simply cant offer. Some of those differences may be experiential and cultural based, but I am convinced that some of them are innate. Brott seems to bristle at that idea, sprinkling his father-focused position throughout the book and ending with an entire chapter as a final attempt to debunk any idea that mothers are inherently better equipped to do some things for their kids. I just think hes trying to buck human nature with mere wishful thinking.

My frustrations aside, Im still quite glad to have read this book. I feel significantly better equipped to enter the crazy world of fatherhood after having read The Expectant Father. I may even be able to help my wife in some small way during the rapidly approaching birth of our first kid because of the information that I learned. It is long and periodically rather dry, but its definitely worth the effort. A few strange assumptions by the author notwithstanding, Im happy to recommend it to any man willing to invest some time towards learning about this most important event and all that is to follow.

by: Amanda P. Malcom (United States)
on: Tuesday, 16-March-2010

My husband really enjoyed reading this book. He new what was going on and what to expect.

by: Amanda P. Malcom (United States)
on: Tuesday, 16-March-2010

My husband really enjoyed reading this book. He new what was going on and what to expect.

by: G. Davenport (LAKE STEVENS, WA, US)
on: Saturday, 6-February-2010

This is a must read for expectant Fathers. This book totally nails what the expectant father should look out for during the pregnancy period. Great Read!!