Book Recs

[Beating Earth]

Hi mamas,
A friend of mine just told me that his wifes OB recommended "What to expect ..". I know there are better books but not sure what they would be. Can you help me out??
TIA

[Carhootel]

what age group are you looking for? pregnancy? infants? toddlers? I'm a big fan of the Dr. Sears books and he has many that cover a variety of parenting stages (as do the 'what to expect...' books) and are much better IMO!

[Beating Earth]

Right now pregnancy. She is 8 weeks today.

[pagodafish]

hmm, yes, there are certainly better choices than "What to Expect"!

I really loved The Thinking Womans Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer and Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper.

My all-time favorite was Birthing from Within by England/Horowitz but it maybe doesn't have as much technical information as some other options.

HTH

[Beating Earth]

Yes those do help, thank you

[Carhootel]

Ina May's Guide To Pregnancy is amazing and Aviva Romm's book that I can't remember the name of..

I also loved 'The Thinking Woman's Guide To A Better Birth'

[Comtessa]

Gentle Birth Choices is a nice introduction to making the most of various birth options.

There's a great post somewhere in the blogosphere that lists a bunch of pregnancy/birth books on a continuum of "if someone recommends x, try reading y instead." I can't find it now. Anyone remember seeing it?

You might want to try cross-posting in Birth and Beyond, where there might be more suggestions.

[cocobean]

The Big Book of Birth by Erica Lyon was most definetly my favorite book. It gives you facts without pushing fear. I agree that the Dr. Sears books are all really great resources no matter what stage you are at.

[nameisrio]

What to Expect is long and boring and focuses too much on all the bad stuff that could happen.

I liked Your Pregnancy, Week by Week. It's still pretty mainstream and I don't agree with everything in it, but you could read it in quick little bits and it has pictures of the baby at almost every week of development, which I loved seeing.

Dr. Sears is great too. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way (if she's interested in that). And a Mothering subscription!

[SilvanaRose]

Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives by Deepak Chopra

This book was the book that really changed my perspective and the way I thought about life and pregnancy. It is so gentle in the way it talks about the life growing inside you. It's not all that difficult to read either. I know some people think Deepak Chopra is a little 'deep', and he is, but this book is a really beautiful book to read anytime and especially when you are pregnant. What to Expect just leaves you feeling like you are not in control. I hate that book. This one leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside lol. It really is a nice read when you are pregnant and going through all the emotions.

[TiredX2]

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