What Pregnancy and Childbirth Books are the Best?

Bookstores are loaded with the latest and greatest books on pregnancy.  Some are great resources, however it turns out that a few with catchy titles are best left on the shelf!  What are tips when selecting a pregnancy or birth book?  Look at the author and his/her bio.  Read a segment of the first chapter.  Is the book reader-friendly and consumer-based in its style?  If the book is written by a medical professional, chances are high that it will have a slant toward pregnancy and birth as requiring medical intervention.  If you need a few pointers, here is our list of the best pregnancy and childbirth books to make your search easier!

1.The Prenatal Prescription by Peter Nathanielsz

If you are interested in learning more about the importance of prenatal nutrition in your baby’s long-term health, be sure to add this title to your pregnancy reading list.  We know the benefits of healthy nutrition, yet most of us are unaware of how a mother’s diet not only affects her growing baby, but also the health of her grandchildren!  This book is incredibly informative, however it is full of research so it can be a bit challenging for those who would rather have a quick read.

2. The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm

From tips for a cough or cold to ways to naturally induce labor, Ms. Romm has it all in this book.  Her perspective focuses on a holistic view of pregnancy where medical treatment for common pregnancy ailments should be limited at best.  She includes an excellent chapter on prenatal nutrition as well as the most comprehensive list of natural remedies for just about any ache or pain of pregnancy.

3. Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Simkin, Whalley and Kepplar

This is easily one of the best books on pregnancy and childbirth on the market today. One of the best features about this guide is that it is written from a consumer approach and contains so much information about pregnancy, birth and the newborn period.  Yet the authors are sensitive that not all women make the same choices and so therefore it includes all of the options out there so that parents can make their own best choices.

4. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

Ina May is a recognized pioneer in the field of childbirth and her long-awaited book is designed for expectant parents who have a desire to give birth free of medical intervention.  Part of her book discusses practical ways to give birth naturally as well as several first-person stories from real moms to help inspire today’s women who may not realize giving birth naturally is possible. If you plan to give birth free from medical interventions, be sure to add Ina May’s book to your pregnancy reading list.

5. The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

For anyone planning to assist the mother during labor, this book includes it all. This is a great book for fathers, partners, family and doulas.  Penny guides all birth partners in learning ways to help the mother cope both emotionally and physically with labor.  She includes a helpful review of various medical interventions and medications, their advantages and common side effects.

6. Knack Pregnancy Guide by Brenda Lane and Ilana Kirsch

One of the best things about this pregnancy book (and yes I am one of the co-authors!) is its appeal to a wide audience among expectant moms.  For busy working moms to teen moms, this book provides some quick bullets and tips on everything from healthy prenatal nutrition, choosing a place to have your baby, writing a birth plan and even ideas for successful breastfeeding.  This guide is very easy-to-read with tons of illustrations and colorful photos and would not be intimidating for a mother who is still deciding about options for pregnancy and childbirth.

Here are Book Titles to Add to Your Pregnancy Reading List!

7. The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth, by Henci Goer

If you are a woman who wants to take charge of your birth experience, this is a book to add to your pregnancy reading list! The guide takes an in-depth look at nearly every issue during childbirth and dissects each one so that parents have a better grasp of what they may want to include in a birth plan.  The author does a great job of taking available research and putting it in lay terms so that the average expectant mother can learn to advocate for herself in the birthing room.

8. The Nursing Mother’s Companion, Third Revised Edition by Kathleen Huggins.

If your budget is tight and you can only afford one breastfeeding book, this is the one to get. Included are answers to common breastfeeding problems such as how to make more milk and treatment for sore nipples.  This “best book” is an excellent resource that includes illustrations and helpful techniques for breastfeeding.

9. The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Newman and Pitman

Co-authored by renowned breastfeeding expert Jack Newman, this book is known as the best “problem-solving guide” on breastfeeding, this guide has everything from common breastfeeding issues such as difficulty latching and breast milk supply problems.  Other topics such as medications and breastfeeding and feeding special needs babies are also covered.

10. Mothering the New Mother by Sally Placksin

As every new mother can testify, adjusting to life with a new baby is full of challenges.  For some mothers, the postpartum period is the most challenging of all.  So that is where this book comes in!  Sally’s book is hands-down the best resource for new mothers.  It includes frank discussion and help for not just the practical side of being a mother, but also the fears, feelings and concerns that go hand-in-hand with this time in her life.