As a doctor myself I cannot flaw Emily on her thoroughness and dedication to hard facts from the medical literature, this was very helpful for me personally as a soon to be mum and as a clinician. I do have occasional concerns that at times she makes medical recommendations (sometimes encouraging women to not follow their physicians advice) that while in theory can be based on raw evidence I think it’s important to remember your physicians have seen a huge number of births including the best and worst outcomes and at the end of the day all doctors just want the best for you and your baby. It’s important to make sure the care you’re receiving is evidence based but it’s also important to have trust in your doctors, Emily has not attended many if any births and I encourage you to value both experience and evidence in your decision making process.

This was the first book I read during pregnancy and it was exactly what I needed. I’m an over thinker and evidence obsessed, so I totally related to the author’s frustration at the vague “do this” “don’t do that” of pregnancy guidance and was so relieved to have the data to make my own informed decisions.

This book has changed my thoughts on so many things that I didn't believe could be changed. It is well researched and educated. I have read many other pregnancy books, blogs and boards and was always left with the thought of 'but why?' Emily has very thoroughly done the work for me in answering this questions in a very unbiased way, Just facts laid out so expecting parents can then make up their own minds about how to proceed with their life while waiting for a baby to arrive!

Good review of current evidence on a very wide variety of issues. While the author has her preferences, she is frank with her presentation and analysis of research.