Throughout my pregnancy, my nightstand was piled with pregnancy books and I was always listening to pregnancy podcasts. Anything that might help me plan for the huge exciting life change that was taking place. But there are so many books to choose from. And, often, these pregnancy books offer conflicting opinions and advice. So where do you start? I didn’t love every pregnancy book I read. But these ten books stood out. Each was incredibly helpful in preparing physically and mentally for life with a baby. Some I even read multiple times. And some I continue to reread with a new perspective. But, as great as it is to be prepared, sometimes these pregnancy books add too much pressure for moms-to-be. Becoming a mom comes with so many layers of expectations and pressure. I recommend that you find just a few books you love and trust. You really don’t need to read every pregnancy book. Then, stop studying, put your feet up, and enjoy relaxing with some fun non-pregnancy books!
Note: While blogs and websites are great sources of information and personal stories, books are held accountable for the information they share. When you read a book, you know the information is fact-checked and reliable enough to meet certain criteria.
1. What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
This is the pregnancy book. I know many people think What to Expect When You’re Expecting is outdated, overwhelmingly long, or too dull. But this book really resonated with me. It was my first source of information when I had a question. For me, this book replaced Google. I loved the month-by-month layout, as well as the chapters at the back for unique circumstances. You don’t have to read every page and you can easily skim the book for the answer you’re looking for. Many times, the answer wasn’t found in the section for my current month of pregnancy. It helps to skip ahead or look back through the previous months if you don’t find what you’re looking for right away.
2. The Mama Natural: Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth by Genevieve Howland
The Mama Natural is a great complement to What to Expect When You’re Expecting. This book focuses on the path of unmedicated childbirth, if that is something you’re interested in learning more about. You’ll also find lots of great general information that can help you take charge of your pregnancy including birth plans, tips for choosing baby gear, how to make natural cleaning products, questions to ask your doctor, and self-care ideas.
3. Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman
Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman explores the French perspective on everything from schooling and family dinners to pregnancy and children’s activities. While not your typical pregnancy book, I loved diving into this book while pregnant. It reads like a memoir and it was refreshing to gain a new, less-pressured perspective on pregnancy and parenting. I appreciated learning about a more hands-off and relaxed approach to raising children, at least in comparison with American norms. The only part I didn’t love was the chapter about pregnancy weight gain. But, overall, this is a fun read that will help you form your own pregnancy and parenting philosophy.
4. Expecting Better by Emily Oster
There are so many “rules” in pregnancy. Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s important and what’s exaggerated. Expecting Better by Emily Oster addresses these questions with concrete, evidence-based data. It’s a relief to read current research about so many pregnancy topics, rather than rely on outdated opinions when making decisions.
5. Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy by Angela Garbes
Pregnancy comes with so much advice. Similar to Expecting Better, Like a Mother explains the culture that exists around pregnancy and birth. Angela Garbes tackles many topics in depth through the lens of scientific data and the development of cultural norms over time. Personally, this book took a lot of pressure off during my pregnancy. It helped me make educated decisions based on data and my own opinion of cultural norms, not the opinions of others. Highly recommended pregnancy book.
6. Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols
Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols is a great choice for learning more about nutrition while pregnant. The diet outlined in this book is high in protein and nutrients. I had pretty severe morning sickness (more like all day sickness), so I was not always able to tolerate the healthy diet outlined in this book. But, I still found it very helpful to learn which foods I should prioritize. There are even sample meal plans. While reading this book, just keep in mind that it can add some unwelcome pressure to pregnancy. Sure, it would be great if I could make my own olive oil, as briefly suggested in the book. But there is no way I would ever have time for that and I’m not sure who would. I like to use this book for nutrition guidelines and meal plan inspiration.
7. 50 Things to Do Before You Deliver: The First-Time Mom’s Pregnancy Guide by Jill Krause
50 Things to Do Before You Deliver is a quick read and structured like a fun to do list. Do you need to do everything in this book? Absolutely not. But it had some unique ideas to make your pregnancy more fun. After reading, I felt inspired to celebrate the fun parts of pregnancy, rather than worry about all the details.
8. What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Alexandra Sacks and Catherine Birndorf
Pregnancy is more than a physical experience. Finally, there’s a book that addresses the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy and becoming a mother. What No One Tells You is a guide to all the feelings that are difficult to navigate during pregnancy and postpartum, including anxiety, uncertainty, guilt, isolation, exhaustion, and resentment. I read this book during my postpartum phase, but wish I had found it while pregnant. What No One Tells You is an important reminder to prioritize your mental health as much as your physical health as an expecting mom.
9. Birth Without Fear: The Judgement-Free Guide to Taking Charge of Your Pregnancy by January Harshe
January Harshe is the founder of the global online community, Birth Without Fear. In her book, irth Without Fear, she strives to empower women and provide the essential information needed to make decisions about breastfeeding, postpartum experience, choosing a provider, and birth. I appreciated the focus on rights as a parent, something that was glossed over in other pregnancy books. This is also a fantastic book to prepare for all kinds of postpartum feelings that may develop.
10. Nurture: A Modern, Caring Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Early Motherhood by Erica Chidi Cohen
Nurture has a unique focus on making informed decisions and prioritizing self-care. I enjoyed pairing the information in this book with other week-by-week guides, such as What to Expect When You’re Expecting and The Mama Natural. The suggestions for self-care in each trimester are a much needed reminder to nurture both your mind and body during your pregnancy journey.
What are your favorite pregnancy books? Share in comments!
P.S. Some of my favorite empowering podcasts for pregnancy and what I wish I had known as a first-time mom.
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