There are a lot of pregnancy books and magazines out there geared toward the expectant mom and it can be confusing to weed out the great from the good or bad. Whether you are expecting for the first time or giving birth to your fourth child, the following are a great list of pregnancy and postpartum reads and hopefully you will find one that is for you.
Top Pregnancy Books For The Expecting Mom
Pregnancy, Childbirth And The Newborn: The Complete Guide
As a doula, childbirth educator and breastfeeding educator and advocate, there are three books I recommend to all moms and this is one of those books. Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide by Penny Simkin is a well-written classic with evidence-based information and lots of diagrams. Though Simkin is a respected midwife and natural birth advocate, this text is written in an unbiased way and is a great primer for the first time parent, no matter what kind of birth they are planning on having. Simkin gives great nutrition and exercise tips for pregnancy, clearly explains the stages of labor and birth and has excellent information on how to care for your newborn baby. I cannot recommend this book enough.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, And The Newborn includes very good information on what happens to your body and your baby from conception to delivery.
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month, Everything You Need To Know From America’s Baby Experts
The Pregnancy Book: Month-by-Month, Everything You Need to Know From America’s Baby Experts is another must read pregnancy book packed with information grounded in fact, with lots of great nutritional tips, exercise suggestions, and explanations of fetal development. There are no fear tactics here, and by the language of the text, it is evident that the authors believe that a woman’s body is meant to give birth and that most women can do so without complication, and naturally, if they choose to do so. This book, however, DO NOT go into much depth regarding labor and birth as this is covered in another companion volume by the same authors: The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth.
Note: While this is a recommended read for expecting mothers, the book was last updated in 1997, so some information may be a little dated.
The Pregnancy Book is an excellent source of intelligent pregnancy information that is straight-forward, with easy-to-read style and discusses just about everything one could think to ask or want to know when they are pregnant.
The Thinking Woman’s Guide To A Better Birth
If you are unsure about the choices you would like to make surrounding your birth options, or just want to know a little more when it comes to hospital birth practices, epidurals, c-sections, then The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer and Rhonda Wheeler is the book for you! The information in this pregnancy book is based on the latest research (at the time of publication, 1999) in maternity care and outlines it all in clear, concise language with references for all of the studies cited in the book. This book is based on pure fact and aims to dispel both medical and non-medical myths surrounding childbirth. It is an excellent tool to have when making your birth plan or deciding where to birth your baby.
Very eye-opening! The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth is a fascinating and ultimately empowering read for any pregnant woman who wants to know her birth options and rights.
The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition And Other Holistic Choices
As hinted by the title, The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition and Other Holistic Choices by Aviva Jill Romm, M.D. was written by a woman who is a renowned midwife, herbalist, and now an M.D. If you are hoping to have a “green” pregnancy, this book is a great choice! While there is the usual pregnancy information, as far as nutrition and fetal development, there is also a wealth of information on herbal and holistic remedies for common pregnancy complications and complaints such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, morning sickness to stretch marks. It is a great resource for pregnant mothers wanting to take a more natural approach to this time of preparation and nurturing.
Highly recommended The Natural Pregnancy Book for those who want a natural approach to self care and are passionate about getting the proper nutrients during and post pregnancy.
Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin is a fun read, but it is not a childbirth primer. The first half of the book is filled with birth stories which are great to read no matter what kind of birth you are planning. The second half is full of practical information on natural birth; how to create a safe and comfortable environment for natural birth that is more pleasurable, less painful, with less medical intervention. This book is written by a much loved and well-respected midwife and her natural birth bias definitely shows. The positive birth stories put forth here are a great counter to the stories of terror many of our friends and family like to share during out last months of pregnancy. Ultimately, this book is a comfortable and supportive read and will help first time expectant moms feel much better about the labor process than be fearful.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth gives a COMPLETELY different outlook on birth than what most mothers-to-be are familiar with hearing about from the medical community and media, and what an eye-opener it was. If you are planning or hoping for a natural childbirth this is the book for you!
Sacred Pregnancy: A Loving Guide And Journal For Expectant Moms
Sacred Pregnancy: A Loving Guide and Journal for Expectant Moms by Anni Daulter is not just a simple pregnancy book, it is a movement that is quite frankly, sweeping the world. The major aim of this book is to bring ceremony and sanctity back to childbearing and birth. This is both a guide and a journal. This is a week by week guide that covers what is happening in the pregnant woman’s body, her spirit and emotions, and with her baby. It also poses questions for reflection and provides a journaling space. There are lots of suggestions for rituals and practices that could benefit any new mother or pregnant woman. It is a lovely new addition to the pregnancy market. One caution here though - this book can veer towards new age ideology at times, but there is a lot here of value, so if something doesn’t fit with your belief system, there will likely be a lot of other material that you will enjoy.
Sacred Pregnancy is a pregnancy book that is bursting with love, wisdom, nurturing thoughts and the photos are incredibly inspiring; a true gift for any mother to be!
Beautiful Babies: Nutrition For Fertility, Pregnancy, Breast-Feeding And Baby’s First Foods
While Beautiful Babies: Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy, Breast-Feeding and Baby’s First Foods by Kristen Michaelis isn’t strictly a pregnancy book, nutrition is key to having a healthy pregnancy and this is one of my favorite books in that vein. This book can show you how to boost your fertility through nutrition when trying to conceive, how to use nutrition to combat morning sickness and pregnancy fatigue, what to eat before and during pregnancy to prevent ear infections, asthma, allergies, and autism in your baby, how to prevent a C-section, and have an easier, natural birth, how to eat to boost your breast-milk supply and how and when to introduce baby’s first foods in the best way possible. There is a lot of new and hard to find information in here that can really benefit you and your child during pregnancy and beyond.
Beautiful Babies is an excellent read discussing real food and real changes to improve you and your baby’s pre-pregnancy, prenatal, and post-natal health.
Top Postpartum Read For The New Mom
The Mommy Plan: Restoring Your Post Baby Body Naturally, Using Women’s Traditional Wisdom
It is truly surprising how few books there are about postpartum healing and recovery out there. It is as if, we are all expected to bounce back even though our bodies, our minds and emotions have been through a huge, life and body altering experience. Even so, The Mommy Plan, Restoring Your Post Baby Body Naturally, Using Women’s Traditional Wisdom by Valerie Lynn is a clear standout in the category on post-pregnancy care. This book has information on how your diet, activities and lifestyle can aid your postpartum recovery. There is also a nice section on ways dads or partners can best support and help with mom’s recovery on a physical and emotional level. This book promises faster healing and a smoother return to daily activities. I love it! Your perspective on the postpartum period will never be the same!
The Mommy Plan is for all mamas-to-be who believe their postpartum CAN BE the most magical time of their life!
The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International is THE book to own if you are even considering breastfeeding. The internationally respected La Leche League has been around for more than fifty years and the wisdom imparted in this book will last for at least another fifty more. Updated for today’s mothers and lifestyles, this is a great nursing resource for first-time moms or experienced moms alike. There is a wealth of information on breastfeeding newborns, breastfeeding in special situations, breastfeeding children with special needs or conditions as well as information on setting up a support network, breast health, milk supply issues and how to transition back to work and still breastfeed. All of it is practical and straightforward and makes for an excellent resource and reference.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is the breast feeding and baby know how Bible for all working moms, stay-at-home moms, single moms, and moms of multiples.
The Baby Book, Revised Edition: Everything You Need To Know About Your Baby From Birth To Age Two
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two by William and Martha Sears is another great shower gift and a must-have for any new parent. It offers practical advice based in current research about how to care for your baby, as the title says, from birth to age two. Information covers those first days at home, first baths, circumcision, diapers, clipping nails and fingernails, as well as developmental milestones, normal timelines for speech, movement, sitting, walking etc. It also details potential problems and when to call your doctor when it comes to fevers, colds and other potential hazards of the first two years. It is a tome of wisdom you will look to again and again when you feel that something is just not right.
The Baby Book is an essential encyclopedia on babies. It contains everything you need to know about infant care for a first time parent.
Recommended Magazine For Moms
Parents Magazine
While not strictly a pregnancy magazine, I highly recommend the Parents magazine for all new or experienced moms.
When you are a new mom, you will want to save every issue and refer back to it later. Not only does it have great information pertaining to pregnancy and newborns, but to toddlers, preschoolers and early school age children as well, plus tips on traveling with kids, dealing with in-laws and a mountain of other subjects related to life as a parent. This is one magazine you will read cover to cover every month and is worth the money on many levels.
Parents is by far the best parenting magazine out there. It has a wealth of information with lots of useful tips and advice about raising kids young and old.
While by no means comprehensive, the recommended list of books are full of beneficial information for the new mom. It is a list of my favorite and most recommended books in this category. Each of these books is in my professional library and is lent out to clients often. I hope that you will find at least one or two of these suggestions useful in your journey as a new mom and parent.
Ava says
First I have to say thank you so much for compiling this list. When I first got pregnant I spent many hours researching what the best books for new Mom’s are and the number of them out there is truly overwhelming. I actually purchased one of the books you have listed here- the “Beautiful Babies” book by Kristen Michaelis and I absolutely love it. I have a good friend who is an absolute health and wellness nut and who is actually writing his own book on the importance of the food that we eat, and it’s affect on our bodies- so I know how important all of this information really is. I found the parts about increasing one’s milk supply especially helpful, as this is something I really struggled with at first. This book even contained lots of information I hadn’t come across in all of my research. Now that I have a few friends that are expecting I can get them some of these books and save them the hours of looking things up on the internet haha.
Wendy Tomlinson says
What a fantastic list. I loved reading pregnancy books and still love reading parenting books even now my son is now 12. I work with many parents and the advice I give when it comes to parenting books is to take what they want and leave the rest. What works for one parent may not work for another. I’ll be sharing this list. Thank you.
Annie Marie Peters says
Wonderful collection of pregnancy books. There are so many choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin. I’m very interested in The Natural Pregnancy Book. I’d like to learn more about a holistic approach to my next pregnancy. So, thank for posting these!
Librarylady says
Thanks for this list. I love Sacred Pregnancy - part guide, part journal. The idea of keeping a journal while expecting is lovely. We’ve come a long way from the days when it was shameful to be pregnant. Today’s mothers have the option to be so well informed and excited about the new life they are carrying. (Is it just me or does the Title on the parenting magazine look like it says something else?)
Caitlin says
This is a great list! I must admit that I did not read ANY pregnancy books during my first pregnancy. It probably would have been very helpful to me. Just because I’ve had one baby now doesn’t mean I know everything so I would love to read some of these books before having my next baby. Especially the “Beautiful Babies” book!
Sunny says
What a great, well informed list!! I wish I had known about some of these books during my pregnancies! Out of all the books listed I only read the one by Ina May (whom my mom met & trained/worked with during her years as a mid-wife) I also remember reading the “what to expect while you’re expecting” books early on (late 90s) And then opted for some more natural type books during my last 2 pregnancies. Reading can be a great way to feel more in touch with yourself and your baby and there is nothing quite like feeling well informed about what you’re going through.
Sacred Pregnancy, and Beautiful Babies look especially good and I would love a chance to read them.
Christy Bagasao says
What a great list! I’m on my eighth pregnancy and I haven’t read ANY of these! What’s wrong with me? Wink wink.
I will have to add Beautiful Babies to my reading list. Nutrition is crucial during these months, and, especially in the beginning, the strange cravings and aversions make it hard to get what we need. Also, the many misconceptions about feeding babies are contributing to the overwhelming upsurge in food allergies. That’s not an easy road to trod, so it’s best to start them out right. Plus I’ve noticed that my milk supply is much better when I eat the milk-boosting foods we’ve researched. It would be nice to have all this information in one place.
I was talking to someone about pregnancy the other day, and she remarked how women lose all the weight and are back in shape after a month. A month! That’s four weeks, 30 days, one-twelfth of a year! I think that lady needs to read The Mommy Plan and change her expectations.
After my fifth baby was born, I had terrible anxiety. I asked my doctor if there were some lifestyle changes I could make or some supplements or nutrients I could take. His reply: “I’m not a dietician.” He prescribed me anti-depressants which I never took. He needs to read The Mommy Plan, too!
Thanks for a wonderfully comprehensive list. I’m pinning this to my Simple Pregnancy and Babydom board.
Kelly Knight says
These are some fantastic books! I have to admit I only read one book and that was a month to month boos on what to expect while being pregnant. It was great and prepared me, but I wish I would have read some of these books as well! There’s nothing wrong with being over prepared for something as important as your child!
Karen of MrsLookingGood says
Where was this list when I was pregnant?! Seriously, kudos to you for compiling this list. I’ve read Dr. Sear’s book and the Breastfeeding by the La Leche League and they are truly highly recommended. I did not read much pregnancy books and just enjoyed it and if I wanted information, went online. Once the baby came, had to buy a bunch of other sleeping, breastfeeding and newborn books too. Even my husband wasn’t spared and he had a couple of his own daddy book versions.