I thought I’d share with you some of my favorite pregnancy and childbirth books. There are so many resources out there. Some are great… some not so much. In fact, there is one extremely popular pregnancy book that I hated and will not recommend to my clients or readers (nope, I won’t name it here, that would be rude). I have a short list of my favorites pregnancy and childbirth books though, that I recommend over and over again. I have read them myself and found them very informative and useful.
Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler.
This is a must-read for every woman, whether she is trying to get pregnant or not. Toni informs the reader on everything that she needs to know about her reproductive system and cycle, as well has how to chart fertility and how to avoid pregnancy naturally. Somehow she does this in a funny and easy to read way. I love this book! You can also visit the website here, it’s a great resource.
The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
What I love about this book is that each chapter addresses a different aspect of birthing and does so with a lot of well-researched, accurate, and unbiased information. This book covers everything that you want to know about birth. Henci Goers website can be found here.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Ina May is the world’s leading midwife and founder of The Farm, in TN. She has included birth stories and practical advice with her mother-centered philosophy on childbirth. Another must read! You can find Ina May’s website here.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Penny Simkin
This is the book that I wish I had read before my first child was born. When I found it I read it cover to cover. “It covers all aspects of childbearing from conception through early infancy. It includes information on what to expect during pregnancy and birth and how you can work with your caregivers to make childbirth a happy and healthy experience.” (From Amazon.com) Penny Simkin has been a childbirth educator since 1968 and she holds a wealth of information that she generously shares in her book.
Unbound Birth by Jennifer Yarbrough
You didn’t think I’d leave this one out did you? This one is near and dear to my heart. If you’re reading this post, then you most likely are interested in natural birth options, and this book will give you the information and encouragement you need to have the natural hospital birth that you desire.