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50 Things to Do Before You Deliver: The First Time Moms Pregnancy Guide
50 Ways for first time moms to get ready for their new baby
If you're getting ready to have your first baby, you have plenty to be excited about—and plenty to worry about. Centered on what's most important to expecting moms, 50 Things to Do Before You Deliver narrows the vast field of pregnancy advice to 50 specific, proactive steps for confidence and peace of mind before the baby arrives. Unlike other pregnancy books for first time moms, this book includes only what you really need and leaves out the rest.
Feel empowered and prepared with a list of things you can do in real time as your due date approaches.
If you're getting ready to have your first baby, you have plenty to be excited about—and plenty to worry about. Centered on what's most important to expecting moms, 50 Things to Do Before You Deliver narrows the vast field of pregnancy advice to 50 specific, proactive steps for confidence and peace of mind before the baby arrives. Unlike other pregnancy books for first time moms, this book includes only what you really need and leaves out the rest.
Feel empowered and prepared with a list of things you can do in real time as your due date approaches.
260 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2018
705 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 27, 2020
This book is full of filler garbage and useless information. I was hoping for more practical, useful information and the few bits the book contains is common sense you would have easily figured out yourself. Most of the "50 things" are not essential things you actually need to do, they are just silly ways to waste time and money. Everything the book contains you could have found by doing a few simple Google searches and saved yourself the $14.99. I don't find much of anything in this book to be relevant. To start off, the first chapter is completely irrelevant; the book doesn't have any advice or seem to care at all about mothers stuck in poverty who can't afford to see a pricey doctor when all doctors require upfront payment and OBs quote upwards of $1,000 for just the initial first visit. The book acts like we all have endless options and can afford to bounce around from doctor to doctor and waste money until we find one we like. Chapter 2 is completely useless too, none of the tips for nausea work and the book doesn't even mention the prescription options available for severe cases of pregnancy nausea. As for the rest of the book, I don't care about celebrity quotes and I have no interest in downloading pregnancy apps or sharing every detail of my pregnancy on social media or getting expensive pregnancy photo shoots. Pretty much all of the information in the book is useless and nobody actually needs to do most of these 50 things. If you're looking for a book about essential things you need to do before giving birth, this is NOT your book.
April 29, 2021
This had some good advice I hadn't heard yet - padsicles, for instance - and helped me add some concrete things to my to-do list - hospital tour, packing a bag, etc. - which was nice. But most of it wasn't new, and a lot of it was stupid. Wear a bikini? Complain about being pregnant? Okay. I don't need to put those on my list but I'll be sure I remember.
January 29, 2022
I think the way you'll feel about this book will really depend on WHEN you read it. I am 34 weeks pregnant as I'm writing this and just finished this yesterday after reading it for a few days. I am NOT the type of person that will read a book slowly as I go through my pregnancy and only read each part as it currently applies so if that's not you either and you're already a good way through your pregnancy, this book probably won't tell you many things you don't already know.
I think the best time to read this book is at the very beginning of your first pregnancy when you really don't know a ton about this yet. The information is relatively basic but there are some really good gems in there so it's a good collection for someone inexperienced. Many things are things though that I easily picked up speaking to other mothers in person or through facebook groups and such. I like the short chapters though that keep it bite-sized and are often finished with advice from experts and/or other mothers. The bonus dad chapter at the end was nice also.
I think the best time to read this book is at the very beginning of your first pregnancy when you really don't know a ton about this yet. The information is relatively basic but there are some really good gems in there so it's a good collection for someone inexperienced. Many things are things though that I easily picked up speaking to other mothers in person or through facebook groups and such. I like the short chapters though that keep it bite-sized and are often finished with advice from experts and/or other mothers. The bonus dad chapter at the end was nice also.
March 12, 2023
other choices for provider
Our clinic was thinking about recommending this book for patients to use as a resource, but as a Family Medicine physician who practices OB along with cesarean sections in a rural critical access hospital, I was immediately disheartened by the omission of this entire specialty of physicians who care for women in both urban areas as well as rural areas. We have very low primary cesarean rates and provide high quality patient-centered care.
Furthermore, the comment about obesity not being a concern in pregnancy is alarming. From a medical standpoint, there ARE additional risks, but sharing these risks in a caring way is important so women can be empowered regarding their choices for their pregnancy (where to have ultrasounds done, risks for delivery, etc).
Needless to say, even though I kept reading, I was left with a poor taste in my mouth from the very beginning.
Our clinic was thinking about recommending this book for patients to use as a resource, but as a Family Medicine physician who practices OB along with cesarean sections in a rural critical access hospital, I was immediately disheartened by the omission of this entire specialty of physicians who care for women in both urban areas as well as rural areas. We have very low primary cesarean rates and provide high quality patient-centered care.
Furthermore, the comment about obesity not being a concern in pregnancy is alarming. From a medical standpoint, there ARE additional risks, but sharing these risks in a caring way is important so women can be empowered regarding their choices for their pregnancy (where to have ultrasounds done, risks for delivery, etc).
Needless to say, even though I kept reading, I was left with a poor taste in my mouth from the very beginning.
May 26, 2018
I purchased this as a gift but of course I had to read it before giving it to the mom-to-be. The book is concise and full of practical advice delivered with authenticity and humor. From padsicles to picking a pediatrician, it's basically all of the advice I want to give any expectant mother in my life, all in one place. Also, I appreciated the care taken to use gender-inclusive language throughout the book. I'm (probably) done birthing babies but this will definitely be a book I'll continue to share with expecting friends and family.
August 1, 2023
Overall, this book had some useful information that I didn’t know (otherwise what would be the point, right?) but I also didn’t exactly feel like I was getting anything revolutionary. There were some helpful tidbits but I’m not sure it gave me all the information I was looking for. It struck me more as a fun, quirky book to do little things throughout the pregnancy, but not loaded with practical information one might need to survive a pregnancy. I will say that, because it struck me as a more fun book, it was fun to read and get through fairly quickly.
March 21, 2018
This is the book I wish I’d had to read when I was pregnant a decade ago. It’s informative, funny, & useful. I especially loved that Jill put in things to look for that every pregnancy book I’ve ever read hasn’t touched, including pica & plain English words for what to look for when you think you may have postpartum mental health issues.
This book was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
This book was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
June 18, 2018
This is a great, concise book with helpful suggestions on what to do while you're pregnant. There are some things that I skipped over and some things that jumped out at me as really helpful. What's great about this book is that it's very clear that your pregnancy is your's alone and everyone is different, but these ideas might help. And they did for me.
December 30, 2019
Quick easy read but well worth it for first time moms. I assumed from the title it was meant for reading in the third trimester but the book has tips for all three trimesters. It’s a good source of information without being too overwhelming and it has a light/sense of humor vibe to it that I appreciated.
January 15, 2021
Given to me as a gift. The first two trimesters I feel like you could just get off of the various apps, nothing new here. It was the third trimester section that really made it worth it. People give all sorts of advice when one is pregnant, but no one really talks about the postpartum care nitty gritty like padsicles, boobytubes, etc, and that section is what made the book worth it for me.
October 9, 2021
GH
There were some helpful tips in here, but overall, this is the most globohomogeneous pregnancy guide that I've read. A lot of exhortations to spend at your local globocorps squeezed into a small book. Perhaps the most egregious being the suggestion to take newborns to movies at the theater.
There were some helpful tips in here, but overall, this is the most globohomogeneous pregnancy guide that I've read. A lot of exhortations to spend at your local globocorps squeezed into a small book. Perhaps the most egregious being the suggestion to take newborns to movies at the theater.
July 16, 2023
I think it was a good start to books of TBR pregnancy related type of books. I started this on my first trimester however felt panicked and decided to start again in my second trimester which made me not take anything too seriously and just listen in and understand and take in some that I believe relates to me, or will relate to me. Overall it’s good 👍 and informative enough.
January 28, 2024
funny, informative, lighthearted, fast-paced
Really starting to dive into pregnancy and baby reads. This one was super approachable and a fun format. I love a to-do list so it was definitely a format that I enjoyed. I learned several new things here and it got me thinking about others in a different way so definitely a win. Would recommend to others going through pregnancy.
Really starting to dive into pregnancy and baby reads. This one was super approachable and a fun format. I love a to-do list so it was definitely a format that I enjoyed. I learned several new things here and it got me thinking about others in a different way so definitely a win. Would recommend to others going through pregnancy.
April 8, 2018
A fun take on your traditional pregnancy book. Even on my fifth pregnancy, I found a lot of humor, tips, and truth in this. The checklist format is fun and makes it easy to skip around to do what you feel like doing in each trimester.
July 26, 2018
Great tips that are simple and easy to accomplish. As I first time mom, this was an excellent read that I will keep with me to reference in the future too. Also, will make a great gift for any first time mom to help ease their mind and plan out what to do each week.
August 6, 2018
I tried reading this week to week, but ended up picking it up every time I felt anxious about this crazy thing I’m doing. (am I REALLY growing a human being?!) I’m so grateful I had this gem to make me laugh or sigh with relief whenever my brain started going haywire.
January 5, 2019
This book did exactly what I needed it to, as a first time mother: told me the essentials I needed to think about, and WHEN to think about them. A solid, easy read to work through over the course of pregnancy.
September 19, 2019
Great book for first time moms
Fun, easy read, full of great advice. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. I even saved certain sections to refer back to later. I would highly recommend this book to any first time mom.
Fun, easy read, full of great advice. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. I even saved certain sections to refer back to later. I would highly recommend this book to any first time mom.
September 25, 2020
Good Information for first time Mums!
Gave great info ! Right to the point ! I wish I would have found this book earlier in my pregnancy but better late than never ! I learned some new things ! Thanks Jill !
Gave great info ! Right to the point ! I wish I would have found this book earlier in my pregnancy but better late than never ! I learned some new things ! Thanks Jill !
July 7, 2021
Maybe I read this book too late, meaning I read a couple pregnancy books before it, so many of the advices were already heard and very much common sense. Would give it 2* if the writer wasn't entertaining at moments...
October 20, 2022
Helpful overview! Easy read. I picked it up during my third trimester and was pleased to find that…I’d done it all.
You can basically find this list online, over and over again, on the interwebs. But it did help validate that we’d covered everything!
You can basically find this list online, over and over again, on the interwebs. But it did help validate that we’d covered everything!
March 8, 2023
As a FTM it was a lot of fun to read this book. I loved how it touched a little on everything, and there was just the right amount of info for each subject. I’m planning to pass this off to other friends/family expecting a baby.
August 16, 2025
Highly enjoyed this book as a first time dad!
A very quick, enjoyable, and informative read. Found all items very actionable - this helped us establish a checklist and game plan for making pregnancy more manageable.
A very quick, enjoyable, and informative read. Found all items very actionable - this helped us establish a checklist and game plan for making pregnancy more manageable.
April 23, 2018
Practical but with a good sense of humor. Would recommend.
May 5, 2018
Concise and motivating. Easily ranks in my Top 5 of baby lit so far.
January 13, 2019
Wish I'd gotten it sooner
Fun, insightful, and easy to read. Wish I'd gotten this book in my 1st trimester instead of my 3rd. Still, it had a lot of helpful advice. Take notes.
Fun, insightful, and easy to read. Wish I'd gotten this book in my 1st trimester instead of my 3rd. Still, it had a lot of helpful advice. Take notes.
March 13, 2019
A fun and informative little book. I’d already thought about or heard of most of the contents, but a good reminder and helped me think of a few things as well.
April 8, 2019
Excellent little book of support and advice for first time moms. Lots of practical stuff, very updated. Really informative. Will definitely pass this along to other first time moms!
August 9, 2019
This was a quick read and fun, helpful tips to be reminded of at any point during pregnancy! A great gift for a pregnant friend!
October 2, 2019
This is a fun and helpful way to gain some incite into many of the things you need to think about before you deliver. I loved how easy it was to pick up and read as I progressed in my own pregnancy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews