After struggling for years to understand my own health issues and eventual diagnosis, I got REALLY good at reading + researching. For some people, spending time digging into the nitty gritty details of anything can feel stressful, but to me, it actually feels so empowering. And finding pregnancy books to read has felt no different. From the moment that I found out I was pregnant (you can read about that surprise here), I dove into finding resources to support, encourage and guide me, on my own terms, throughout the course of my pregnancy + will eventually do the same for when baby comes…once we get a little bit closer.
What each potential mom, pregnant mom, new mom (or parent) will need is very different. My personality, my preferences, my pregnancy and my convictions are not going to be the same as someone else’s + that’s so okay. In fact, I think that’s really beautiful. It’s what creates diversity + variety + those things are some of the most interesting parts of life.
So, with that being said, even though this blog post is called “pregnancy books to read”, please know that these are the best pregnancy books from MY experience + what has been helpful to me. My hope is that they might point you in the direction of something that might feel helpful to you too. But, if it doesn’t or if you start one + don’t love it, I will so not be offended if you invest your time + money + energy into something that feels more “you”…you might not even be a book person at all, which is totally great too.
Last thing before we get into the list: please feel free to drop the name of YOUR fave pregnancy book or post-partum/parenting read down below in the comments or shoot me a message on instagram. I love learning from other people as much as I love sharing what’s working for me.
The pregnancy books that I’ve read so far:
Like a Mother by Angela Garbes
I actually read this book well before my pregnancy journey started. I really struggled + wrestled with the idea of being a mom…for the last few years, really. I plan to dig into these emotions more another time + another place, but part of that journey for me was investing some time in reading different perspectives from different moms. I heard a lot of women mention this book, which is subtitled, “A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy” + it is exactly that.
This book was such an incredible read for me during the season of life I was in, but I’m also going back through it as a now pregnant mom. Garbes really goes into detail about the often untold science behind things like our placentas, how breastfeeding works, the truth about alcohol or medication during pregnancy as well as the emotional journey that women go on living in a world that treats pregnant women in a very specific way.
I actually found this book to be incredibly encouraging and empowering, even though I had a friend have the opposite experience with it – like I said, we’re all different! But if you’re looking for some really interesting insight into the politics of pregnancy, as well as a pulled back curtain on some of the unshared magic happening inside of our bodies as babies are created? This is for you!
Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols
The HOUR I found out I was pregnant, I bought this book, ha! I kept my pregnancy a secret from everyone for an entire week (even my husband, whoops) + spent a lot of my time bingeing this read. I had actually heard Nichols speak on a podcast last year + was so impressed at the nutritional approach she has for pregnancy that I knew I wanted her knowledge to be my starting place. Nichols was part of extensive research on women with gestational diabetes + so, uses actual data + science to back up her real food, higher fat + protein approach to pregnancy.
This book breaks things down in SUCH a relatable way, explaining the purpose and source of all of our essential vitamins + minerals during pregnancy. She addresses all of the “don’t eat that” foods (and why you might want to eat some of them), as well as going into nutritional approaches for handling all sorts of pregnancy concerns like constipation, headaches, etc.
I loved that there was also a small section on how to eat postpartum, as well as the importance of watching the toxins that are a part of your regular life during pregnancy. This book is hugely informative + right up my alley. I continue to go back + reference Lily’s work any time I have questions!
The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy + Childbirth by Genevieve Howland
This book was recommended to me by a friend who is a Doula, and funny enough, I had already purchased it after hearing a few mommas on Youtube recommend it as a helpful, comprehensive guide to follow along with during your pregnancy. Howland covers EVERYTHING in here + the book is super comprehensive + easy to read.
Since I’m trying not to read too far ahead, I’m really only on week 18-20 of the book, so I can only speak to what I’ve read so far. Here are my overarching thoughts:
I am so grateful for the way that this book has shed light on all sorts of tips + tricks that I would never have known before. Things like incorporating tart cherry juice into your diet to help with sleep insomnia, which I’ve hugely struggled with. Or the importance of being aware of the flame retardants in car seats, etc. My one caveat would be that this book can also feel a bit overwhelming/intense in some of it’s language. Because this is “Mama NATURAL”, the emphasis is on totally non-toxic living, a very clean diet + an all natural labour.
Obviously, I love all of those things + always appreciate learning + reading new science/information about them. However, if you’re someone who is struggling with feeling overwhelmed or feel easily shamed for not doing everything “perfectly”, this book may not be for you. I think it’s totally worth the read, just remember that your own intuition and capacity is just as important + to take the recommendations that work for you + just leave the rest!
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
I have heard nothing but amazing things about this book on all natural childbirth + the capability of women’s bodies to trust + experience something they were created to do. In a world that often dramatizes labour in a quite extreme way, I really wanted to have a chance to fill my mind with the opposing perspective on childbirth.
In full transparency, I really am only still in the first 1/3 of this book, which is so far, only positive childbirth stories written by other women. After speaking with so many women I know + love, their experiences with childbirth have been ALL OVER THE MAP from traumatic to euphoric + I think at the end of the day, there is so much that is out of your control in the whole process.
However, if there’s one thing that I learned over the course of my chronic illness journey, it’s that I CAN control my mind even when I can’t control what’s happening in my body. So, while some women may roll their eyes at the idea of my saturating myself with these positive labour stories, I believe that it will have a helpful impact on my journey…even if my labour ends up being extreme, induced, emergency or exactly as I dream it will go.
Ina May was a midwife for over 30 years + really digs into the best practices + resources like:
• What really happens during labor
• Episiotomy–is it really necessary?
• Common methods of inducing labor–and which to avoid at all costs
• Tips for maximizing your chances of an unmedicated labor and birth
• How to avoid postpartum bleeding–and depression
• The risks of anesthesia and cesareans–what your doctor doesn’t necessarily tell you
• The best ways to work with doctors and/or birth care providers
• How to create a safe, comfortable environment for birth in any setting, including a hospital
I’ll keep you guys updated on what I think once I really get through it!
Other Pregnancy Posts You Might Love:
- Surprise – we’re pregnant!
- First Trimester Recap
- Endometriosis During Pregnancy + My Experience Thus Far
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