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The Expectant Father

Written by: Armin A. Brott,Jennifer Ash
Narrated by: Armin A. Brott
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Publisher's Summary

The fourth edition of this best-selling, groundbreaking, information-packed guide for dads-to-be is now significantly updated, revised, and expanded.

We are expecting! The 20th anniversary edition of this thoroughly updated and revised parenting classic remains the most informative and reassuring book for expectant fathers everywhere. In addition to sharing the wisdom of the ages, Armin A. Brott, Mr. Dad, presents new insights into the emotional, financial, and physical - yes, physical - effects of impending parenthood on men. Thanks to this handy reference, moms-to-be will know their partners understand and support them during this anxious and exciting time, and that they have all the tools they need to be fantastic, hands-on dads.

This information-packed month-by-month guide incorporates the expertise of top practitioners in their fields, from obstetricians and birth-class instructors to psychologists and sociologists. It also draws from Brott's own experience as a father of three and from the real-world experiences of the thousands of dads he's interviewed. With the humor of New Yorker cartoons and Brott's gentle approach, The Expectant Father serves as a friendly and listenable companion for dads-to-be seeking confidence, guidance, and joy!

What's new in this edition of The Expectant Father?

  • The latest health and safety info
  • How technology is changing fatherhood
  • How men's brains change by being involved during pregnancy
  • Society's shifting expectations for dads
  • The amazing effects on children when fathers are active partners before birth
  • How prebirth participation makes dads more likely to be active parents postbirth
  • Updated resources and new research on the big questions that haven't changed much over the years: Am I really ready to be a dad? How are we going to afford this? How do I balance work and family?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2015, 2010, 2001, 1995 Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash (P)2016 Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash

What listeners say about The Expectant Father

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  • JW
  • 2018-04-07

very problematic and disappointing.

The book offers some valuable information, but much of this is easy to find online. My bigger concern is the extreme and I think unintended focus on things to be afraid of or feel negatively about. Some sections also raise relationship issues in ways that sound oppositional, whereby the "man" is supposed to 'take charge' and assert himself.

Given that the author claims the book breaks down stereotypes, I was very surprised and disappointed to see how often the book upholds sexist and very male-centered thinking. There is also an eccentric focus on military fathers that derails many chapters (the info could either be its own chapter or a separate book).

Honestly, I would dissuade anyone from purchasing this book. It taught me very little except how far fathering books still have to go before they actually seem progressive and like more than a "bro" guide.

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3 people found this helpful

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Great for any dad-to-be

The most helpful book for me leading up to the birth of my daughter. Helped me realize that a lot of the feelings I was having were completely normal, and helped me be a better partner to my wife during pregnancy and labour. Planning to read/listen to the other books in the series.


#Audible1

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Overall very informative

As a Canadian reader/listener about 10% of the book was irrelevant (healthcare costs, investing options, etc) but otherwise a very in-depth read. Covers a lot of different perspectives and situations. I would recommend, but if not in the US be prepared to skip some sections.

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Meh

I think this was good information if you literally have never seen a baby in your life or have zero knowledge. I would say if your familiar with the science and been around babies the vast majority of this book is useless.

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Essential

this is a great listen its definitely full of useful Information and will definitely help you.

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Excellent book for mental prep

I really appreciate this book. It really helped prepare me mentally for what to expect. I highly recommend it!

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good book to get you started

give a great idea about some of the issues one might find during the pregnancy. it goes month by month which is great to understand what is going on and how you can support your wife during the pregnancy. It has a lot of mentions to military dad's, which I don't think it necessary as there is a book specific for that.

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if you dont know 95% of this stuff. dont have kids

wow what a silly waste of time, please tell me people dont find most of this stuff helpful.

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    4 out of 5 stars

This a must for all first time expecting fathers

Overall this is a great book for first time expecting fathers/partners. Granted there is some eye rolling anitcs but the book touches on a lot of topics that one might overlook during the pregnancy. The book is filled with interesting stats and facts. I would recommend this book to any first time father/partner.

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Good emotional prep for expectant father's.

Steps through the months well. Good emotional and psychological perspective.

Finance portion more geared towards the US.

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  • Jonatan Tierno
  • 2016-08-23

Useful, but less to non-USA readers.

A lot of information useful only for USA residents, such as tax or insurance. Too many mentions to studies which, in my opinion, mean nothing or are very debatable, such as "Babies with names starting with D have a 5% more probability of becoming dentists" and the like...

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17 people found this helpful

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  • handslapper
  • 2017-02-04

Great advice

Excellent intro to pregnancy. Most of the advice is given with an objective POV and there isn't a lot of fear mongering. The authors sincerely want to help and the book was written with both a male and female perspectives so it's not too one sided. This was the first parenting/pregnancy book I listened to and I listened to it in almost one sitting on a Florida to Colorado road trip. To expectant fathers, take what advice sounds good to you and take advice from a. few sources. To the author's, thanks for a great book, you have soothed a lot of my anxiety.

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11 people found this helpful

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  • Nick
  • 2019-07-11

Fantastic book but pdf missing.

I highly recommend getting this book in some form. Well written with relevant information and none of the demeaning or juvenile humor that often overpowers these types of books. The only problem (and it is a significant one) is that the author often references the PDF that accompanies the book and there is no pdf. I will probably get the print version so I have all the information.
Update, the PDF cannot be found on the audible app. It is in the audible library on the computer. While this is better than no PDF, it is inconvenient when you are trying to look up questions to ask when interviewing doctors.

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9 people found this helpful

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  • Rick
  • 2021-04-21

Probably written for the wife.

This book is full of crank ideas based almost entirely on single studies and seems to rely on correlation, not science, to make suggestions. I lost it when he suggested swallowing semen helps prevent preeclampsia, and smelling farts lower blood pressure.

Honestly, the way this guy approaches the subject, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he was anti-vaxx or something. It's unhelpful and useless.

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  • Chen W.
  • 2016-07-27

Audio book not great format for this book

Too detailed at times. Biased at times. Lots of common sense information. May have been better as actual book where irrelevant sections can be skipped.

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  • eric
  • 2016-12-06

Straddles Between Textbook and Storybook

The book read more like a series of facts/information more so than a story or a persons take on fatherhood. I loved how informative it was, but I could only listen to it in about 3 hour chunks or I would start to get a bit of information overload. Still great though since it covers just about everything in great detail. I'd recommend it for sure.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2017-06-12

Impressive paternal perspectives!

I loved this book. It quelled many fears of mine and introduced new challenges I never realized were headed my way. More importantly I imlreased my wife not only by simply reading the book but by sharing my learnings with her.

Mr. Brott has a gentle and humorous delivery that felt grandfatherly.

I will be reading this again as we move towards the big day.

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  • Bryan
  • 2021-07-21

Disappointing

I found this book contained almost nothing I or a mature adult male does not already know. I believe the book is targeted towards younger male parents to be, hence the extra star in recognition that the book does contain valuable information for others.

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  • Kristen
  • 2021-05-13

What a cringe fest.

Author uses phrases like “allow your wife to,” and “make sure she...” both my fiancé and I were keyed up after listening to a single chapter. What an ego on this one.

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  • Sean
  • 2020-01-26

Solid basic overview

Good beginner book for those seeking a daddy 101 type read. I appreciate that he goes through some of the cultural challenges we face as men being involved fathers.

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1 person found this helpful

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