Pregnancy and birth are exciting, complicated topics! There are many different opinions and schools of thought out there, and especially for a first time mom, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I knew that I wanted to have a natural pregnancy and an unmedicated birth if possible. There are so many topics to explore and interventions to navigate, so I knew I would need some resources to help guide me. With the help of various friends, my midwife, and the internet, I was able to find some useful books, and I successfully had a natural, unmedicated childbirth with my daughter.
I am now expecting my second baby in the spring, so I wanted to compile a list of books I’ve been returning to this pregnancy. I hope you find these helpful as you navigate your pregnancy!
The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth by Genevieve Howland
This book is a week by week guide to pregnancy and child birth. I would especially recommend this book for first time moms who are not familiar with the various stages of pregnancy and want to have a new section to read each week. I like that the information is broken down into bite sized pieces, and guides you through the many decisions you have to make in pregnancy one week at a time. I also appreciate the way Genevieve Howland walks you through the different issues and interventions you might face in pregnancy, and informs you about the most natural choices you could make. I don’t necessarily agree with all of the dietary recommendations she gives in this book, so as with any book, I would say take her advice with a grain of salt. For my second pregnancy, I have found that this is a book I am not turning to every week but rather a book I am looking up advice about various topics when I run into a question I have or an issue I’m facing in pregnancy.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
If you are hoping for a natural, unmedicated child birth, then this is the book for you! Ina May will open your heart to the possibility that childbirth can be a beautiful, joyful experience that is not a medical emergency, but is in fact a biologically normal event. I would recommend reading this book in your third trimester as you are starting to think more about birth and you are ready to read some raw, real birth stories. You might even want to start in the second section of the book, and then come back to read the birth stories that are in the first section of the book.
The Natural Pregnancy Book Your Complete Guide to a Safe, Organic Pregnancy and Childbirth with Herbs, Nutrition, and Other Holistic Choices by Dr. Aviva Jill Romm
This book is one of my favorites for pregnancy. I have found myself returning to it more this pregnancy than any other pregnancy book, and that’s because it has such useful, helpful information. Looking for info about what herbs to avoid and which ones are safe? Looking for natural remedies for morning sickness and other issues in pregnancy? This is a book you will want on your shelf.
Real Food for Pregnancy The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition by Lily Nichols
This book is new to me this pregnancy, recommended by my midwife. I really value and appreciate Lily Nichols’ expertise and advice when it comes to navigating nutrition and diet in pregnancy. I’m only halfway through but I’m already grateful to have picked it up.
The First Forty Days The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou
This book takes a new look at the first precious, fleeting days of rest and recovery for the newly postpartum mother. Challenging the “bounce back” narrative, The First Forty Days will give you vision and encouragement to take the time you need to recover, while giving you ideas of how you can invite friends and family to support you in ways that are actually helpful. This book you will want to read in the third trimester.
Sweet Sleep Nighttime and Naptime Strategies for the Breastfeeding Family by La Leche League International
I wish I had known about this book when I first had my oldest! So many different opinions exist out there when it comes to baby sleep, and things can look very different depending on your baby’s temperament and if you are breastfeeding vs. bottle feeding. Because I breastfed my daughter, I needed advice tailored specifically to our situation. I didn’t find this book until I was looking for advice about night weaning, but I wish I had found it sooner. Understanding what is biologically normal for infants at different stages, navigating fact vs. fiction when it comes to SIDS, and helpful advice to actually make sleep safer with the Safe Sleep Seven checklist are just a few of the topics it touches on. This is a book you will want to have on hand for the postpartum season especially if you are breastfeeding.
I hope these books are helpful to you as you navigate pregnancy, birth, postpartum and beyond!
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