The Pregnancy Countdown Book is a page-a-day guide chock full of advice for expecting parents. Author Susan Magee cuts right to the chase and avoids euphemisms -- pregnancy is not "complex," it is hard -- hard in the first trimester, hard in the middle and hard near the end. Magee describes the rewards, but she doesn't try to sugar-coat anything.

Many of the gems in this book deal with those things you needs to know but are reluctant to ask: foods and activities to stop when you are pregnant, proper sleeping posture, when to stop air travel, dealing with varicose veins and how (and when) to break the news to friends and family. Tips include recommended products, resources, tricks and websites. This is the kind of book that reassures a worry-wort, because the author and her MD co-author have been there and done it all, and they will remind you what to do at the right time.

I was especially intrigued by Magee's attention to the relationship between the parents. She addresses the stresses that the mom and her significant other will experience, and how to relate to your partner during these 250 days.

Bottom line: this is a value-packed offering and a highly recommended gift item.