What to Expect When You’re Expecting
What to Expect When You’re Expecting is a pregnancy guide, now in its fifth edition, written by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel and published by Workman Publishing. Originally published in 1984, the book consistently tops The New York Times Best Seller list in the paperback advice category,[1] is one of USA Today’s “25 Most Influential Books” of the past 25 years[2] and has been described as “the bible of American pregnancy”.[3] As of 2008, over 14.5 million copies were in print.[4] According to USA Today, 93 percent of all expectant mothers who read a pregnancy guide read What to Expect When You’re Expecting.[5] In 2012, What to Expect When You’re Expecting was adapted into a film released by Lionsgate.[6]
The book presents advice in a question-and-answer format. It proceeds chronologically from the time a woman first begins to suspect pregnancy, through each of the nine months (with one chapter devoted to each), and into the postpartum period. The beginning of each chapter succinctly lists common physical and emotional changes and symptoms a woman may be experiencing, and gives information on what a woman can expect when visiting her doctor or nurse midwife during checkups. Also included early in each chapter is a section entitled “A Look Inside” which displays pictures of the changing female anatomy and the growing embryo then fetus. Additional information in sections titled “What You May Be Concerned About” and “What It’s Important to Know” is designed to address a wide range of concerns, problems and life trends.
Each edition includes substantial nutrition information discussing caloric intake, maintaining balanced meals and provides sample recipes. Recent editions include a complete nutrition plan.
The book’s appendix lists additional sources of information and resources including government organizations, associations and foundations.
Author Heidi Murkoff cites her own quest for reassuring information during her first pregnancy as being the motivation for developing What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Murkoff collaborated with her mother Arlene Eisenberg, a freelance journalist and her sister Sandee Hathway, a nurse when developing the pregnancy guide.[7][8]
Its iconic title emerged when an employee of the publisher suggested it as a subtitle for the temporarily titled manuscript, “Pregnancy:” By publication, the subtitle had claimed the top spot.
Although the book’s initial print run was small, word of mouth and innovative promotion led to sales that increased in every subsequent year.
