Books to Read During Pregnancy: 11 Handpicked Best Pregnancy Books of 2023 

Once you learn that you are pregnant, everything changes. Suddenly, your life revolves around the baby in your womb and its well-being becomes your priority. You feel grateful and anxious at the same time. Your mind is full of questions regarding pregnancy nutrition, pregnancy-related complications, delivery, breastfeeding, postpartum depression, and so on. From maintaining a pregnancy journal to going for regular pregnancy tests – there is a lot to be done. Naturally, you want to devour all the information available and pregnancy books can be your best companion in this exciting journey. So, what are the most enlightening books to read during pregnancy?

Best Pregnancy Books to Read to Have a Healthy Pregnancy 

Preparing your maternity reading list can be stressful if you don’t know which books can truly help you. As a childbirth educator, I have curated a list of some amazing books that can help you immensely. From newly published pregnancy health books to tried-and-tested classics, the following books are all you need during those blissful months of pregnancy:

1. Caring For Your Baby and Young Child

Written by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this is one of the most popular childbirth preparation books. Here you will find reliable guidance on everything from babyproofing the house to potty training your little one.

So, you can stay relaxed as the book will make you feel like there’s a pediatrician at your fingertips. Moreover, as the AAP has authored it, you won’t have to verify the information provided.

2. Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is excellent baby development literature published by Mayo Clinic. The book is a complete guide to pregnancy and has a 40-week calendar for pregnant women. It includes valuable information on the latest technologies and trends in pregnancy and birth.

The book offers trustworthy information from the accomplished healthcare providers at Mayo Clinic.

3. Eleven Hours

Very few authors can portray the wonders of giving birth the way Pamela Erens has done. Eleven Hours is the story of two women who will soon become mothers. As the story unfolds, you will love the empathetic way it addresses labor. The emotional tale will make it impossible for you to put down the great pregnancy book.

4. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth

Do you feel stressed as the delivery date approaches? Then you should include this book on your pregnancy reading list. Ina May Gaskin was the president of the esteemed Midwives Alliance of North America, and she will tell you all about natural childbirth or home birth.

When it comes to understanding natural birthing, this midwifery book has remained the gold standard for decades. So, if you want a drug-free birth, it will teach you how to strengthen your mind and ease labor pain.

5. The Seven Day Switch

When you are bored and you want some fun, this humorous storybook can come in handy. The Seven Day Switch is about two frustrated moms who end up switching places. What happens next? To know that, you have to order this book for partners.

Although it isn’t a prenatal education book, it will help you decide what type of mother you aspire to be.

6. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn

As is evident from the title, Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn is an expecting mothers’ guide covering all aspects of delivery and a baby’s initial months after birth. This baby book is replete with pregnancy wellness tips and contains answers to the most common pregnancy questions. So, it is a must-have for someone who has just conceived.

7. The Baby Plan

The Baby Plan is Kate Rorick’s most popular book, and the humorous novel evokes fun by highlighting the modern rituals involved in welcoming a baby home. From buying a stroller for thousand dollars to hosting a lavish gender reveal party – the attention-craving would-be-mommies leave no stone unturned. So, grab a copy of it if you want to laugh out aloud.

8. The Perfect Mother

Imagine your level of panic if your baby goes missing. A novel about motherhood, The Perfect Mother gives you a glimpse of what happens when a mother can’t find her infant. What steps will she take to find the apple of her eye? To know that you should read this gripping fiction book.

9. Motherhood So White

Becoming a mother is a journey full of challenges. And when a Black woman conceives, she must protect herself and her child from never-ending discriminations. This painfully honest book reveals how different it is to be a parent of color. So, if you want to understand the pangs of black motherhood, you can consider purchasing this book.

10. Doula’s Guide to Empowering Your Birth 

Lindsey Bliss has written this book to help a pregnant woman in her different trimesters. So, irrespective of the week of pregnancy you have entered – this book’s aim is to prepare you to mentally and physically to become a mom. An experienced doula, Lindsey’s approach to pregnancy is remarkably realistic.

11. Real Food Pregnancy

Eating a balanced diet during pregnancy is of utmost significance. If you are looking for pregnancy nutrition guides, then look no further.

Real Food Pregnancy is a 2018 book by Lily Nichols which does not just tell what to eat but also explains why you must eat it. With this book by your side, you can be certain that nothing will stand in the way of your baby’s development.

How to Select Books to Read During Pregnancy

There are various kinds of books on pregnancy and childbirth. So, before preparing a list of the best books you need to read, you must decide if you want antenatal care resources, conventional pregnancy wisdom, or week-by-week diet plan. Based on your requirement, you can find the most useful books on birth and postpartum that will assist you during various stages of pregnancy.

To begin with, you can order some books that will teach you the basics of eating right. Emily Oster, Susan Magee, Ina May, etc. are some famed authors who have written pregnancy nutrition guides for expecting parents, pregnancy checklist to maintain with your birth partner, and teaching you the art of expecting better.

Wrapping Up 

Whether it is your first pregnancy or you are an experienced parent, you will always find something new to learn about newborn parenting and a healthy pregnancy. While you cannot read every single book written to benefit expecting moms, you should make some time for the ones that can make your pregnancy more fulfilling.

The books I recommended in this blog will not just guide you but also help you rediscover yourself as a mother and a woman. So, if you ready to navigate pregnancy concerns, start reading these awesome pregnancy books.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the benefits of reading books about pregnancy and self-care during pregnancy?

Reading books about pregnancy will help you clear your doubts and feel confident about becoming a mother. From fetal development reading material to ways of treating postpartum depression – you will find all kinds of books on pregnancy.

Q. Can reading about pregnancy help in bonding with the unborn baby?

Bonding with a baby when it’s still in the womb is crucial and they can feel and hear movement. The baby gets familiar with the soothing voice of the mother. So, when you read about pregnancy, you can learn ways to bond with your child.

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