Best Pregnancy Books List
Pregnancy books are the best escape for bookworm mamas. Not only do they keep the mother positively entertained but it also is a means of gathering a lot of candid, verified information as the baby bakes in one’s stomach. While the internet could also help you with possibly everything you might want to know, pregnancy books are always more recommended because books, at large, don’t run a risk of flawed information.
On that note, having our nerdy mama’s back, we read tons of reviews to compile this list of some of the best pregnancy books to read during pregnancy!
Best Pregnancy Books
Priced at $15.95, this is one of the best pregnancy books for first-time moms is written by Doula Erica Chidi Cohen, a doula herself. Each page of the book holds your hand and acts as your companion through your pregnancy. Apart from comforting information on pregnancy right from the early days of conception, all the way to the early postpartum phase, it also includes some easy recipes and physical as well as spiritual exercises to keep your spirits up high.
Amazon Reviews
I can’t say enough good things about this book! I highly recommend to all pregnant women (especially first time mamas). It really helps you from beginning to the end when preparing for labor. You don’t know what you don’t know, and this book gave me so much confidence and filled in tons of gaps I didn’t even know I had! For example, questions to ask your doctor/midwife and pediatrician. I also love that it isn’t biased and talks about each type of birth journey (medicated hospital birth, unmedicated hospital birth, and home birth). There is so much information overload out there, and this book hits it all while also being digestible.
– ErikaS
THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING. While pregnant with my first child I took a several week course with Bradley Method and also read every book I could. I was left with a ton of knowledge but pieces were missing. I ended up with 40 hours of back labor that looking back I don’t think I needed to endure had this book come out back in 2015. Fast forward to baby #2 and I saw this book come out. I decided to give it a read terrified of doing it all over again but eager to have a natural birth I was happy about. Her book was such a delight to read. It gave me AND my husband the tools we needed to give this a second go. I ended up having the most magical labor in a birthing center and was home hours later feeling great. I recommend it to everyone I know and hope to pass the book on to my 2 daughters some day (if they choose of course) because I know this book will continue to be modern for years to come.
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A rather witty and untraditional pregnancy guide, The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy could be regarded as a brutally honest and one of the best books for pregnancy for first-time moms. Written in an unabashed, unapologetic, and unfiltered tone, this book helps you look at your pregnancy in a fun yet reassuring way. For mothers who have been feeling the pressure of having the ‘perfect’ pregnancy, think no more, add this to your cart, and thank us later! Priced at $10.48.
Amazon Reviews
As the cover suggests “All the Things Your Doctor Won’t Tell You” this is extremely true in this book! I have read “What to Expect” cover to cover numberous times, called friends on MANY occasions that have already been through this-and yet I wished that I had one book that had all of those things that I had been trying to put together piece by piece. “What to Expect” is a great book, don’t get me wrong-but it seemed to “scientific” to answer all of my questions. I had resorted to texting friends in the middle of the night, asking if certain things that were going on were “normal” or not. The answer to all of those questions you want to ask, but are embarassed-and heck, even some I never thought to ask are inside this book.
It covers everything from finding out you are pregnant, hormonal changes that somehow make you feel a LOT more normal with the stories, as well as everything you always wanted to know about labor/delivery (including the infamous/never old question of “how much does it hurt?” If you are looking for a no holds barred book that will go over (in depth) the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly truth of pregnancy-look no further.
As a first time pregnant mom, I have a lot of anxiety about what to expect, when to expect it, as well as what is going to happen after the baby is born. This book offered honest insight with a side of major humor that really has comforted me. It has helped remind me that “Psycho Pregnant girl” is not that abnormal, and that there are many other changes that are going to happen, so be ready for a bumpy ride. I hope every other soon to be mommy finds this book as enjoyable as I have!
The ONLY thing I wish this book did was break up the pages/chapters a bit more. At times, the words seemed to run together a bit. Definitely didn’t take away from the quality of the book at all though.
– Hannah
This book is incredible and helpful. As the author clearly states at the beginning, this is a “girlfriend’s” point of view, not a “doctors/medical’s” advice. I found it helpful, humorous, and very needed. Yes, there are 1,000 of medical books with an accurate explanation of mechanisms/procedures/etc, but I just wanted a relaxed and informative read and this book provides exactly that. I read many criticisms about a certain “girlfriend’s philosophy” about being pregnant and give birth. Yes, Vicky has a strong opinion about absolutely everything and I found that very refreshing and needed. If you just don’t agree with this perspective that’s also fine, but it doesn’t make most of the book useless. I wasn’t sure if I was going to get an epidural or not, but I do agree with the author’s perspective that “epidurals are great, and c-sections save lives.” Let’s be good to each other and don’t judge others’ based on how they decide to deliver a baby. This is just one opinion/perspective and it should be taken as such. She’s not speaking as a representative of all the girlfriend’s in the world, but hers. I really loved this book and I would recommend it to anyone with an open mind and a good sense of humor.
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Parents absolutely love this one of the best books for pregnancy because of how accurately it guides parents through the three trimesters of pregnancy. Since it comes from the Mayo Clinic, you need to have no doubts about the authenticity and genuineness. It also includes a fun 40-week pregnancy calendar activity! At just about $10, this arguably is the most reliable guide to pregnancy you can find.
Amazon Reviews
Would highly recommend for a first time Mom. Has so much information about each week and milestone, even chapters for Dads. I found the tables they included very helpful along with the tips and tricks they include to alleviate things like nausea and fatigue. Overall great read!
I liked how informative it was while being simple and to the point. Didn’t feel overly science-y but also not “dumbed down”. I felt like it was exactly what I needed. It was nice to have chapters on child birth and breastfeeding as well.
– bg
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Authored by a seasoned activist and priced at $13.69, Gaskin in this book guides you through childbirth but does so while criticizing the traditional medical establishments and doctors. However, when some readers rightly pointed out that mothers should not be made to feel guilty if they end up needing a medical birth, Gaskin did address the issue on one of her podcasts and clarified how that was not her intention. Though controversial, it also is an interesting read as it vividly describes the physical sensations women could expect while giving birth. One of the reviews we clearly remember said “helps you feel more optimistic about labor,” now is that not a viable selling point?
Amazon Reviews
This book is an easy read with lots of great information. The first part of the book is filled with positive birth stories and really gives you an idea of what’s possible in natural birth, even when things don’t go exactly according to plan. I was planning to give birth with a midwife in the hospital, but we didn’t make it and I ended up giving birth in the bathtub at home with my husband running around calling the ambulance! The wealth of different experiences told in this book definitely gave me confidence to know that my body could do it. (Baby came out happy and healthy!)
– Kethrim
This book is AMAZING! Any expecting mothers should read this! Not just first time mamas either. I’m pregnant with my third child right now, and planning home birth and this has wonderful, empowering stories that will help you feel confident in being a woman and the power of our bodies.
– Kayla R.
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Well, you already know the kind of a positive experience a book would have if it is titled ‘Expecting Better!’ Written by Emily Oster, this book is authored with an unconventional approach and It reviews pregnancy health studies, evaluating the quality of their methodology at the end of each review. Emily’s goal, essentially, is to help the readers make informed decisions through the pregnancy. A data-driven book, this one also smashes some common misconceptions about foods to eat and foods to avoid during pregnancy. For example, Emily shares viable evidence to prove that very light drinking is fine during pregnancy! While some people love this book and some others heavily criticize it, in our opinion, you definitely should give at least the sample chapter a try! Priced at $12.79.
Amazon Reviews
If you are finding the conflicting answers to your google results confusing, this book is for you. The best evidence I can find for all things pregnancy related.
Unlike other books who try to doctrine you, this is just giving you data and you make the call from it. There are references at the back for you to visit these research papers on your own if you wish.
– Samey
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Focusing on a particular niche, as the name suggests, Womanly Art of Breastfeeding could prove itself as an ultimate guide to breastfeeding, especially for parents who wish to exclusively breastfeed. At about 19$, this best-rated pregnancy book does not just provide in-depth information on the nuances and recommended techniques of breastfeeding but it also goes a step ahead to empower new mothers and reassures them that all will fit in just right.
Amazon Reviews
Bought this book on a recommendation from a friend, for our first child! It is more than just breastfeeding info! It is a pretty big book but you don’t have to read it from page one to the end, in fact it’s recommended to bounce around as you need it. As a FTM, pregnancy, laboring/ delivering, and breastfeeding was a whole new journey for me. I started reading this in my 3rd trimester and it helped me be prepared for all the previously mentioned topics! Plus it had a section to help you “troubleshoot” with breastfeeding issues. I would highly recommend this for any new momma!
– CG19
This book is chok full of essential information for nursing women. Highly recommended for first timers and those with experience, as every baby is different and a multitude of different obstacles could arise. This book helps you through the challenges.
– Mmo6
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Crafted by childbirth educators with more than 30 years of individual experience, this is among the best-rated pregnancy books and is brimming with crucial information for expectant parents, empowering them to make informed decisions throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Despite its extensive content, the book offers practical guidance for various everyday scenarios, avoiding a singular approach to childbirth. In contrast to certain texts, it emphasizes inclusivity in language and recognizes diverse family structures, making it a valuable resource for all.
Amazon Reviews
So many pregnancy and childbirth books can come off as judgy – if you don’t conform to the mindset they are espousing, you end up feeling lesser or frustrated. This book however did a great job providing medically accurate info and educating readers about the pros and cons of each possible choice. It’s not about what is objectively right, but more what’s right right for you and your family (choices in pain management during labor, anyone?). Out of all the books I read during pregnancy and to prepare for birth, if I could only keep one, this one would be it. Lots of info, easy to follow, and a great all around reference guide.
— Ganzia
This book has so much good information for women and families who are pregnant, going through childbirth, and newborns. Definitely a one stop shop. Highly recommend to all family and friends!!
— Brittany
HypnoBirthing, encompassing visualizations, breathing exercises, and self-hypnosis, serves as a method to alleviate pain and anxiety during labor. Beyond its potential to ease pre-birth concerns, it equips birth companions with strategies to support their partners. Even for those not opting for HypnoBirthing techniques, the author’s narrative fosters a positive perspective on childbirth, steering away from a more daunting outlook. It’s worth noting that this book serves as an introductory glimpse, designed to complement the full 5-week class series for those considering HypnoBirthing in their birthing journey.
Amazon Reviews
I know the name is missleading. !!! If you want a psychological unmedicated natural child birth. This is a must!!!!! I just had my 2nd home birth. First one was lots of affirmation, some breathing this one I knew exactly what part of labor I’m at was pain free my husband was amazed how confident I was and he caught the baby. It was beautiful and best one yet. (4th labor. 3 unmedicated) (this book and Ina May Gaskin.and Bradley way all great books!!!! Ditch the “what to expect….” and ditch the lamaze and hospital/ County birth classes!!!!!!!!! Congrats mamas.
I got this book to read as my partner and I took hypnobirthing classes. It’s eye opening and was a quick read for me. I will say the first few chapters keep repeating the same message but it was never boring to read and the repetition helped set the belief of a calm birth. It definitely helped me achieve my birth goals.
— Nigphi
FAQs On Best Pregnancy Books For First Time Moms
1. What is the best book on pregnancy for lesbian women ?
2. When should you start reading to your baby in the womb ?
3. What is the best pregnancy book for an expecting father to read ?
Reviewed By:
Esha Chainani - Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr. Esha Chainani is an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist, and laparoscopic surgeon who aims to break the stigma around women’s health by advocating an inclusive and open practice of obstetrics and gynecology and an author of several internationally published research papers and health articles in the media like the Swaddle.
She also founded Premaa, a non-profit to reduce maternal morbidity and eventual maternal mortality by providing lower-income pregnant women living in urban areas with cell phone access through an app that can feature an entire section about contraception as well for a whole gamut of reproductive health.
A panel for multiple health sessions including with the UN, USAID, BMC, gender at work, and multiple non-profit organisations, and is on the advisory panel of the South Indian medical students association.
