Best pregnancy books for first time moms

A pregnancy book should give you confidence and empower you to take care of yourself during this special time.

What to Look for in a Pregnancy Book

There are plenty of books about being pregnant. Some are written by doctors or midwives; some are written by women who had babies themselves.

But what makes one pregnancy book better than another? And how do you know whether it contains information based on science rather than just popular opinion? Read on to find out.

How We Selected the Best Pregnancy Books

A pregnancy book should give you confidence and empower you to take care of yourself during this special time

We researched dozens of books on pregnancy and narrowed down our list based on the following criteria:

• Expertise – Doctors, midwives, nutritionists, doulas, etc.
• Content – Does it cover everything we wanted to know?
• Style – Is it easy to read?
• Price – Was it affordable?
• Reviews – What did people say about it?
• Availability – Where could I buy it?

The 15 Best Pregnancy Books

1. What to Expect When You’re Expecting

This book is so classic, it even had a movie version. Written by Dr. Benjamin Spock, What to Expect When You’re Pregnant is one of the most popular pregnancy books ever published.

In fact, it’s been translated into over 30 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. And now, it’s being updated for modern moms and dads.

The original edition focused solely on pregnancy and childbirth, but this newer edition includes information on child rearing and parenthood, too. It covers everything from birth control and sex education to sleep training and potty training.

Plus, it offers advice on dealing with common problems like morning sickness, constipation, hemorrhoids, and insomnia.

2. The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth, Sheila Kitzinger

This book provides information about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. This book covers many topics such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, sex, home birth, breastfeeding, postpartum depression, and more. There are also sections on conception, pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

I got this book for free after signing up for the Amazon Mom program. I’m glad I did! I’ve used it several times since then and it’s always helpful.

Yes, the book does have a bias towards natural childbirth, but it’s a welcome change from other pregnancy books like “What to expect when you’re expecting” which tend to be more focused on medical interventions.

in addition to providing practical advice, it explains the physiology behind the process, including what happens during labour and delivery.

You’ll learn a lot about pregnancy, birth, and childrearing.

3. Eating during pregnancy, Dr Harriet Holme

There are many myths surrounding eating while pregnant. Some say it makes you gain weight, others claim it causes morning sickness, still others think it leads to complications like miscarriage.

But there are some things you shouldn’t do – and some foods you absolutely must eat. Here’s everything you need to know about food and pregnancy.

4. Waiting for Birdy: A Year of Frantic Tedium, Neurotic Angst, and the Wild Magic of Growing a Family

The author, Catherine Newman, is a New York Times bestseller and shares her experiences raising three kids while she waited for her second child to arrive. She writes candidly about the challenges of being pregnant, dealing with infertility, and coping with miscarriage.

What’s more, she also shares stories about her family life, including what it was like when they were all under the same roof. The book is filled with humor and heartwarming anecdotes that make it an enjoyable read.

5. Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—and What You Really Need to Know

Economist Emily Oster has written a book called Expecting Better, which debunks many of the myths about pregnancy and provides accurate information based on the latest data.

Expecting Better offers accurate information about the real effects of caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and other substances on pregnant women and their babies. The book also provides up-to-date advice on diet, nutrition, exercise, and other aspects of prenatal care.

No matter what stage you’re at in your pregnancy journey, Expecting Better is sure to provide the guidance and support you need to make informed decisions about your health and the health of your baby.

• All of the information in Expecting Better is based on the latest data and research, so you can be confident that you’re getting accurate, trustworthy information.
• Expecting Better empowers pregnant women to make their own right choices with information on everything from the real effects of caffeine to the surprising dangers of gardening.
• Oster debunks myths and explains the data behind the accepted rules of pregnancy, revealing that many are misguided or flat-out wrong.
• Expecting Better is a book for pregnant women that want to enjoy a healthy and relaxed pregnancy, written by award-winning economist Emily Oster.

6. The Belly Book: A Nine-Month Journal for You and Your Growing Belly

This journal will help you keep up with your baby during those nine months of pregnancy. It includes space for recording information about your mood, sleep patterns, food cravings, aches and pains, and much more.

The Belly book is designed to help you cope with the physical changes that come along with being pregnant.

Each chapter covers topics such as nutrition, exercise, and dealing with morning sickness. In addition, each section includes a list of helpful resources for further reading.

If you’re looking to document your pregnancy, this journal is perfect because it keeps everything organized into categories, making it easy to find what you’re looking for. Plus, there are blank spaces where you can write down notes about things like your due date, birth plans, and even your baby’s gender.

This book is great for new parents who are learning how to care for a newborn. There are sections dedicated to feeding, sleeping, bathing, and soothing your baby. If you’ve never been a mom before, this book helps you learn how to take care of yourself while taking care of your little one.

7. The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy

This book is great if you don’t want to feel like you’re reading a book about pregnancy. Instead, you’ll read about topics such as sex, relationships, and motherhood. You’ll even find some humor sprinkled throughout the book.

Parents love this book because it provides an opportunity to discuss the changes happening in their life during pregnancy. They also enjoy talking about the changes that are happening inside their bodies.

This book helps parents talk with their children about what they’re going through during pregnancy. The book includes information about how babies grow inside mothers’ bodies and why some women don’t feel pregnant right away. It also explains why moms-to-be may experience different symptoms than other people do.

There are many different versions of “The Girlfriends’ Guides,” including an audiobook version.

8. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth

This book is designed to give women the information they need to know about the process of labor and delivery.

Ina May Gaskin spent over 40 years working as a midwife and obstetrician. She founded Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee in 1974 and continues to work there today.

Her approach to birthing centers focuses on natural methods and avoiding unnecessary interventions.

The book includes chapters on:

• What Happens During Labor and Delivery

• Preparing For Birth

• Fearful Fears About Giving Birth

• Pregnancy and Childbirth Changes

• How To Prepare Your Body For A Natural Birth

• Pain Relief Methods

• Medications Used During Labor And Delivery

• Epidural Anesthesia

• Breastfeeding After Childbirth

• Postpartum Care

• Newborn Care

• Family Planning

• Home Birth Preparation

• Getting Help From Friends and Family

• Support Groups

• Resources

9. 1,000 Questions About Your Pregnancy, Jeffrey Thurston

This book answers 1000 questions about what it takes to prepare you for motherhood. From how to handle the changes in your body to finding out whether you’re having a boy or girl, there is no question too small or too big.

Written in a very friendly tone, this book is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about being pregnant.

A great resource for new moms!

10. The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality

A postpartum guide to helping moms heal their bodies, balance their emotions, and restore their vitality during the fourth trimester. This book includes information about how to cope with physical changes, emotional challenges, and practical advice about nutrition, sleep, exercise, and managing stress. Includes tips on how to care for yourself and your baby.

As you grow is an awesome little book for any mom who want to remember her child’s development. It features simple drawings and short phrases like “I love you,” “You are beautiful,” and “We’re almost there.”

This book makes it easy to capture moments of joy and milestones throughout pregnancy and birth.

Memory books for babies are a great way to keep track of milestones and special occasions. They make wonderful gifts for newborns and young children.

11. The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth

Genevieve Howland is a writer, blogger, and YouTuber who has published two books about pregnancy and birth.

Her latest book, “The Mama Natural Week-By-Week Guide to Pregnant & Parenting,” shares her knowledge on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep. In addition, she gives tips on how to prepare for childbirth.

Howland says that she wrote the book because she wanted to give women the tools they needed to make it through the experience. “I want to help people navigate the process of becoming parents naturally, without feeling like there are too many unknowns,” she explains.

She also wants to empower women to take charge of their health and well-being throughout their pregnancies.

12. Your pregnancy week by week, what to expect from conception to birth, Professor Lesley Regan

Written by Professor Lesley Regan, the book “Your pregnancy week by week: What to expect from conception to birth” is an informative and authoritative resource on all aspects of pregnancy.

From conception right up until those crucial final days before birth, Regan provides step-by-step guidance for expecting parents, demystifying the entire process in a concise and easy-to-read format.

With illustrations throughout, the book offers much more than just medical advice. In addition to explaining how the body changes over a nine month period, Regan also goes into detail regarding diet; exercise; preparations for labour; childbirth; and even offers postnatal tips with regards to bonding with your baby.

Whether you’re hoping to get pregnant soon or are already expecting, this fantastic guide will no doubt prove invaluable when it comes to navigating three of life’s most precious trimesters!

All in all, “Your pregnancy week by week: What to expect from conception to birth” is an informative and enjoyable read that should prove useful both before and after baby arrives.

Highly recommended!

13. Lactivate!: A User’s Guide to Breastfeeding

This guide will help you understand every aspect of breastfeeding, including what to do before, during, and after your baby arrives. You’ll find out how to prepare yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and socially for motherhood; how to make sure you’re ready for labour and delivery; and how to care for your newborn once he or she is here.

You’ll also discover tips and tricks for dealing with common problems such as nipple pain, engorgement, cracked nipples, mastitis, and sore breasts. And finally, here’s some advice on how to deal with the challenges of working while breastfeeding.

This book is perfect for new moms who want to learn about the ins and outs of breastfeeding or those who are already familiar with the subject and just want to refresh themselves.

14. Oh Crap potty training, everything modern parents need to know to do it once and do it right, Jamie Glowacki

This book provides practical advice for parents who are struggling to teach their children to use the toilet. It covers topics such as why kids don’t always go to the bathroom when they’re supposed to, what you can do to help your kid learn to use the potty, and how to avoid embarrassing situations. There is even an appendix with additional resources and helpful hints.

15. The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will be Glad That You Did), Philippa Perry

This book will help you to better understand what it feels like to be a parent who is imperfect. I am a mother of three children, ages 3, 5, and 7. I am a writer, a journalist, and a blogger. My husband and I co-founded a small publishing house called Lulu Press. We live in London, England.

I want to make sure that my children know how much I love them. And I want them to know that there is no one else out there who loves them quite as much as me. So I wrote this book. It is about parenting imperfectly. It is about being human. It is about making mistakes. But most importantly, it is about loving your children unconditionally, even when they do things wrong.

This book is for everyone who wants to learn more about raising children. For parents who are struggling to find ways to show their children that they care deeply for them.

For people who are looking for advice on how to raise happy, well-adjusted children. For anyone who just wants to read a good story.