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mpruett's review against another edition
5.0
Summary: An incredibly well written, data driven look at the pregnancy journey, and some of the most common questions and concerns about the process.
(My wife and I are expecting a baby soon so y’all better be ready for some baby themed books LoL.)
I got recommended this and several of Emily’s other books to read early on in our pregnancy journey and let me tell you, this book was amazing. I can’t wait to read more from Emily because she nails the kind of non-fiction book I want. The entire book is constructed using data driven research but presented in a way that is very easy to read.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am all about the data (I’m literally a data analyst) so reading about the research she did to come to her conclusions is fantastic. But one of the things that stuck out to me the most was the she isn’t trying to tell anyone what to do, she’s just trying to present information. One of my favorite quotes from the book actually talks to this, “This book is very specifically not about making recommendations; it’s about acknowledging that if you have the right information you can make the right decision for yourself.”
The layout of the book is also amazing because she walks through the process of trying to have a baby, being pregnant, and giving birth in order, and spends time on the major topics in each stage of the pregnancy journey. And then, to top it all off, if you’re not a reader or don’t enjoy reading about this stuff she does a summary at the end of every section or chapter that is like the four main bullet points that you should take away. Because my wife does not have time to read I legitimately highlighted all the sections and then boiled the entire book down to a six page sheet that I just handed her and said, if you trust the research Emily has done, that’s the book.
It’s weird to say this but I can’t wait to read her next book, Crib Sheet. It’s a continuation of the child rearing journey past birth written with the same approach. Data driven and well written.
I cannot thank Alexa enough for recommending this book. While it obviously isn’t for everyone, if you’re trying to have a baby or are pregnant I cannot recommend this book enough. It was absolutely amazing and is a must read for anyone going through that journey.
Time to Read: 5 hours
(My wife and I are expecting a baby soon so y’all better be ready for some baby themed books LoL.)
I got recommended this and several of Emily’s other books to read early on in our pregnancy journey and let me tell you, this book was amazing. I can’t wait to read more from Emily because she nails the kind of non-fiction book I want. The entire book is constructed using data driven research but presented in a way that is very easy to read.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am all about the data (I’m literally a data analyst) so reading about the research she did to come to her conclusions is fantastic. But one of the things that stuck out to me the most was the she isn’t trying to tell anyone what to do, she’s just trying to present information. One of my favorite quotes from the book actually talks to this, “This book is very specifically not about making recommendations; it’s about acknowledging that if you have the right information you can make the right decision for yourself.”
The layout of the book is also amazing because she walks through the process of trying to have a baby, being pregnant, and giving birth in order, and spends time on the major topics in each stage of the pregnancy journey. And then, to top it all off, if you’re not a reader or don’t enjoy reading about this stuff she does a summary at the end of every section or chapter that is like the four main bullet points that you should take away. Because my wife does not have time to read I legitimately highlighted all the sections and then boiled the entire book down to a six page sheet that I just handed her and said, if you trust the research Emily has done, that’s the book.
It’s weird to say this but I can’t wait to read her next book, Crib Sheet. It’s a continuation of the child rearing journey past birth written with the same approach. Data driven and well written.
I cannot thank Alexa enough for recommending this book. While it obviously isn’t for everyone, if you’re trying to have a baby or are pregnant I cannot recommend this book enough. It was absolutely amazing and is a must read for anyone going through that journey.
Time to Read: 5 hours
lizee59402's review against another edition
5.0
I have learned so much and I cannot wait to read more from Oster. I think that this book was a great way to introduce my partner and me to the science and statistics of pregnancy and birth. It was also presented in a way that is accessible.
helenwillow's review against another edition
2.0
I saw this book recommended everywhere for those who are ttc or pregnant. Oster is an economist and in no way an expert in fertility or pregnancy so why is this book one of the top recommended for these groups?? I found that her own bias came through when interpreting the studies. It’s unsettling that people are taking her opinions as truth.
I can see it being useful for those who are particularly anxious around pregnancy as many of the studies presented can put the readers mind at ease but everyone who reads this book should take what she has to say with a huge grain of salt!
I can see it being useful for those who are particularly anxious around pregnancy as many of the studies presented can put the readers mind at ease but everyone who reads this book should take what she has to say with a huge grain of salt!
roxymaybe's review against another edition
4.0
Author mentions "obesity epidemic" a few times and definitely believes Fat is Bad, although in the section about gaining weight during pregnancy she shows that a fetus small for gestational age is significantly more risky than one that is large gestational age, so doctor's concerns over 5-10 lbs "extra" are largely unfounded. Otherwise, good stats, seems well-researched.
tbr_hoarder's review against another edition
4.0
Some useful advice for first time parents, but a lot of it wasn't new information.