18 Pregnancy Books You Actually Need to Read
18 Pregnancy Books You Actually Need to Read
the-only-pregnancy-books-you-actually-need-to-know
Pregnancy is one massive cocktail of emotions (virgin, of course). For some, it can be parts exciting, nerve-wracking, and mystifying with a splash of “WTF have we done?” thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, you don’t get an individualized recipe book that shows you how exactly to mix all of these ingredients, and the ratios vary by person. But not all hope is lost. While every pregnancy is different, there are dozens of pregnancy books that offer tips, resources, data, and valuable insights into all stages of pregnancy — to help make you feel confident and prepared for what’s to come.
Of course, not all pregnancy books are of the top-shelf variety, and some may not suit your palate at all. To help you find the perfect blend, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best pregnancy books available that cater to different interests and experiences, whether you’re planning on having a water birth, are nervous about having a second child, or are expecting multiples. Plus, these picks also answer questions about weird pregnancy symptoms, recommended doctors appointments, and what to do once you bring your small human being home.
So, whether you like to sip and savor or chug, here are the pregnancy books you’ll want to read while you drink up this life-altering experience.
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A Good Mom’s Guide to Making BadChoices
Hold it! As soon as you see that positive pregnancy test, you need to pump the brakes and remember that your focus can’t only be on taking care of your fetus. You’ll have plenty of time for that. Instead, we like to start with A Good Mom’s Guide To Making Bad Choices.
“It’s a guide on how to care for yourself throughout motherhood,” authors Jamilah Mapp and Erica Dickerson tell SheKnows. “Whether you’re pregnant or have a child that’s off to college, this book is about caring for yourself as a caretaker.”
Dear Future Mama: A TMI Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, And New Motherhood From YourBestie
Nothing is off limits for Meghan Trainor in her TMI guide to pregnancy, Dear Future Mama. She is an open book (we had to) even when it comes to the most uncomfortable of topics, just like she is always.
“I always was told [breastfeeding is going to hurt],” she tells SheKnows while promoting her book and the Nexxus Unbreakable Care collection. “And so I was like, ‘Okay, this is supposed to hurt, right?’ And the nurse was like, ‘Yeah, just keep going.'”
“No, it shouldn’t hurt that bad,” the Mother singer continues. “I was bleeding after and then at that point, they’re like, ‘Oh, so you’ve already broken it. So now we’re gonna have to pump on top of that. I’m not gonna let it hurt that bad this time around.”
“I needed more people to be raw and honest…I had all this yellow stuff on them. At one point. I was like, man, they’re really cracking and dry like something’s going on. But that was a whole infection that I needed cream for. And luckily I couldn’t latch on to my kid. But if I it’s called thrush. If I did latch that would have been all up in his mouth and then we would have given it back and forth.”
See? She’ll bare it all.
Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth andBeyond
For frequent meditators and newbies alike, this book that promotes mindfulness throughout pregnancy and especially childbirth helps expectant parents find calm while reducing their stress and fear during this life-changing time.
“This is the best possible book I could have read before giving birth to my daughter,” one Amazon reviewer said. “I was really worried about the childbirth process, and the class my husband and I took actually made me more nervous, not less (I felt that it focused too much on all the things that can go wrong and not enough on techniques to stay calm and problem solve)…Instead of being afraid of an emergency c-section, I began focusing on my physical experience and the mindfulness methods at my disposal to handle the pain and make sure I delivered a healthy baby…Through it all, I felt calm and in control…I really credit this book and the mindfulness work I did before birth, including meditation practice, with helping get me to that point.”
Why Did No One Tell Me This?: The Doulas’ Honest Guide for ExpectantParents
Doulas and reproductive health experts Natalia Hailes and Ash Spivakis answer all the questions expectant parents may have in this fun and illustrated (because sometimes you need pics!) guide to pregnancy.
Questions like: What if my baby is enormous? Will my water break naturally? What even goes into a “birth plan?” And where do I turn for advice that will really work for me and my life? How on earth am I going to keep this child alive once it’s here?
Thanks to the answers to that last question, one Amazon reviewer said this “extremely informative” read still helped her 7 months postpartum.
Bumpin’: The Modern Guide toPregnancy
Bumpin’ takes a more scientific and data-driven approach, sharing research about using cosmetics, nutrition, epidurals, physical activity, vaccinations, budgeting for baby’s arrival, returning to work, and more.
The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy andChildbirth
YouTuber Genevieve Howland of Mama Natural has written this guide that walks expectant moms through their pregnancy one week at a time. It is written on the grounds that having a baby is a “wondrous biological process and rite of passage — not a medical condition.” It is also a resource filled with natural remedies for different pregnancy symptoms.
The Zen Mama Guide to Finding Your Rhythm in Pregnancy, Birth, andBeyond
Mamas and actresses Teresa Palmer and Sarah Wright Olsen are the founders of the popular Your Zen Mama blog — and now, they’re sharing even more of their real-and-relatable motherhood wisdom with those who are about to embark on the journey.
The Zen Mama Guide to Finding Your Rhythm in Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond guides readers through the entire experience, from pregnany through the first 12 weeks of baby’s life. Along the way, the Zen Mamas blend their own experiences as mothers of six children with expert medical advice — and they don’t shy away from difficult topics like fertility challenges and pregnancy loss.
Mayo Clinic Guide to a HealthyPregnancy
You’ve got a million questions, and the Mayo Clinic has the answers. This pregnancy book walks expectant parents through all of their burning inquiries, from tips on how to conceive to the first few weeks of parenthood. With helpful illustrations, easy-to-navigate breakdowns, and insight from some of the top doctors and experts in the country, you can feel confident knowing that you’re getting some of the most reliable information from this 512-page read.
Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong — and What You Really Need toKnow
You’re going to get a lot of advice during your pregnancy from family, friends, co-workers, and even that weird guy at the grocery store checkout stand. But how do you know what’s worth listening to and what’s a waste of your energy? Author and economist Emily Oster uses real data and facts (what a novel idea!) in Expecting Better so that readers can make informed decisions about their pregnancies. By the end, you’ll hopefully feel empowered enough to tell your pesky neighbor that, no, you won’t try her strange homemade elixir to predict the baby’s sex, because science.
What to Do When You’re HavingTwo
In some ways, being pregnant with two fetuses is a lot like being pregnant with one. You have similar symptoms, need to get many of the same tests, and have many of the same questions. However, the experiences are different, and you’re going to want a book that best caters to you. What to Do When You’re Having Two is a fantastic resource for anyone expecting twins, as it walks you through what to expect during each trimester, why you’ll make extra trips to the doctor (multiple pregnancies are considered high-risk, for one), and what you’ll need (and won’t) for two babies. Plus, author Natalie Diaz offers handy resources like a breastfeeding and changing logbook, as well as helpful tips from other twin parents.
Ina May’s Guide toChildbirth
Ina May Gaskin is somewhat of a legend for her revolutionary, back-to-basics approaches to birth and midwifery. In this book, the revered midwife provides advice on how to have a medication-free (and even pleasurable) childbirth experience with the help of breathing and comfort techniques, as well as how to prioritize self-care. Additionally, the book shares dozens of birth stories to illuminate the fact that all births are different, and all experiences are valid.
Heads up: Gaskin advocates specifically for medication-free childbirth (which she refers to as “natural childbirth”) and is a proponent of delivering at home or a birthing center. While hospital-free deliveries are an excellent option for those who consult with their doctors and midwives, they’re not for everyone. It’s our view at SheKnows that all births are beautiful and that there is nothing wrong with delivering at a hospital or using medication or technology during delivery if properly administered by a professional.
When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy MultiplePregnancy
Eating for two is tricky business, but what if you’re eating for three, four, or more? When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads is specifically for parents of multiples who need help figuring out how to best nourish and care for their bodies during and after pregnancy. In addition to recipes and exercise tips, this book offers insights into common pregnancy concerns, such as the signs of preterm labor, reducing the risk of pregnancy complications, and delivery.
Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?: The Surprising Science ofPregnancy
Don’t be surprised if your pregnancy questions extend beyond “Am I going to get stretch marks?” Pregnancy is a genuinely wild physiological and psychological experience, and it’s 100% OK to question every little aspect. If you’ve ever wondered how breast milk carries antibodies or if your fetus can taste the burrito you just ate, you’re not alone. In Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?, author Jena Pincott explores the science of pregnancy and assures readers that while some of the pregnancy transformations are bizarre, curiosity never is.
Strong As a Mother: How to Stay Healthy, Happy, and (Most Importantly) Sane from Pregnancy toParenthood
If the morning sickness hasn’t clued you in yet, pregnancy is physically demanding work. Your body will go through extraordinary changes as it grows and births a human being. But pregnancy can also push your mental and emotional boundaries. Strong As a Mother focuses on mental health and permits expectant parents to tap into their emotions — whether they feel scared, worried, sad, or excited — throughout pregnancy and parenthood. Author Kate Rope offers ways for parents to acknowledge and manage their emotions in healthy ways, while also providing resources and ideas for self-care. Additionally, she explains how to tackle some of the trickier aspects of parenting, like how to set boundaries with family members and juggle your relationships.
Let’s Panic AboutBabies!
Pregnancy is a serious business, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun. Let’s Panic About Babies! is just as informative as it is hilarious, as authors Alice Bradley and Eden M. Kennedy answer an array of pregnancy-related questions and offer helpful advice about all things baby. Our tip: wear a panty liner while reading in case of any, erm, laughter-related leaks. (If you didn’t know that was one unfortunate pregnancy symptom, you soon will!)
Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture ofPregnancy
Like many of the books on this list, you don’t have to be pregnant to enjoy this one. Angela Garbes’ Like a Mother is one read you’ll want on your shelf for years to come, as it tackles not only the physical aspects of pregnancy but also the cultural ones. Using science and investigative reporting as her guide, Garbes shares her findings on pressing pregnancy questions, societal views of pregnancy, and the access (or lack of access) that pregnant people have to vital resources.
The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and Other LaborCompanions
Many pregnancy books focus on the person carrying the fetus. But pregnancy can be a hugely transformational experience for partners and families, too — especially as they question their roles and how they can help. The Birth Partner breaks down common pregnancy questions and tips for partners who want to feel involved in — and prepared for — the pregnancy and birthing processes. The book also discusses the role of a doula, in case you’re interested in bringing on some extra help.
The Second BabyBook
If you’re a parent of one or more kids, growing your family can be exciting and challenging. Morning sickness, for example, doesn’t care if you have to feed Kid #1 his breakfast before daycare. The Second Baby Book offers tips on how to deal with typical pregnancy symptoms while raising a family — and it answers common questions, such as how to talk to kids about a new sibling on the way.
Pregnancy is one massive cocktail of emotions (virgin, of course). For some, it can be parts exciting, nerve-wracking, and mystifying with a splash of “WTF have we done?” thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, you don’t get an individualized recipe book that shows you how exactly to mix all of these ingredients, and the ratios […]