This reassuring month-by-month overview gives you the facts and advice you need to understand your baby’s development, support your partner, and prepare for the joys and challenges of fatherhood. It concludes with two special sections: one on labor and delivery, and the other covering the first few months after your baby’s arrival.  The fifth edition of this New York Times best seller is updated from cover to cover with the latest information about fertility, prenatal care, and delivery; work-life balance (including the lessons learned from COVID-19); financial planning; and much more. It incorporates the expertise of leading OB-GYNs and researchers, and the real-life experiences of hundreds of dads and moms.  Illustrated throughout with stress-relieving cartoons, The Expectant Father is a friendly, readable, and inclusive companion for all dads-to-be. (Moms will love it, too!)

  CONTENTS  Introduction                                        7FIRST DECISIONS                                  13THE 1st MONTHSalad Days                                      27THE 2nd MONTHThe Doctor Will See You Now                        49THE 3rd MONTHSpreading the Word                                   70THE 4th  MONTHMoney, Money, Money                        88THE 5th  MONTHThe Lights Are On and Somebody Is Home       111THE 6th MONTHWork and Family                               127THE 7th MONTHEntering the Home Stretch                          148THE 8th MONTHMaking a List and Checking It Twice               176THE 9th MONTH“Dear, It’s Time . . .”  205LABOR AND DELIVERY 219CESAREAN SECTION 242GEE HONEY, NOW WHAT DO WE DO? 253FATHERING TODAY 284APPENDIXESInfertility: When Things Don’t Go as Planned 294Resources                                       306Selected Bibliography                         312Acknowledgments 326Index 328