Just like no two moms-to-be are alike, neither are pregnancy books.
Each has its own style and service. Find the one that speaks to you with this list.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Don’t let the new-age vibe scare you away from this classic birthing book by Ina May (a.k.a. the mother of modern midwifery). While the book definitely has a point of view (they think natural birth is best, while we think you deserve a medal no matter how you deliver your baby), it’s also full of positive, life-affirming birth stories for the benefit of all moms-to-be. A plethora of birth stories makes up the first half of the book, while the latter half is all about empowering women with information on the birth process, the mind-body connection and real talk about what birth feels like.
Pregnancy Day By Day: An Illustrated Daily Countdown to Motherhood, from Conception to Childbirth and Hardcover by DK
Keeping this big ol’ book on your coffee table invites both you and your partner to share in the daily changes happening to you and your baby-to-be. There’s a countdown, fetal-growth photos, a bump watch, a bunch of tips peppering each page and more. And we love that the book doesn’t drop you once your due date arrives. Instead, you’ll get schooled on labor, birth and life with a newborn, too.
Birth Partner 5th Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions by Penny Simkin
The Birth Partner, now in its updated fifth edition, is just what the doctor (or midwife) ordered. Its sole purpose is to mold your partner into an excellent, empathetic birth coach by running through all the standard need-to-knows, like how to prepare for labor and knowing when it starts, what an epidural is and when a Caesarean birth may be required. But it’s also packed with direct, actionable techniques and spot-on advice. We’re especially grateful for the section that explains why partners might not want to ask so many mid-labor questions and why the birthing mama may lash out.