Favorite pregnancy books?

[kissum]

It's been awhile since I've done this, and with my first baby I didn't really know what kind of parent I was going to be. Last time (5 yrs ago) I read What to Expect, and A Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy. I'd really like some new books to read, hopefully with a slightly more natural bent.

What do you like?

Thanks!

[MaerynPearl]

Anything by Ina May Gaskin (even my hubbys been reading my copy of Ina Mays guide to childbirth)

And if you want a good one for your partner, someone mentioned The Birth Partner in a thread once and I ended up getting it for my hubby... its REALLY helping him understand a lot about the birth.

Especially because I went through first and highlighted parts that are VERY important to me (like everywhere it says do not ask her questions during a contraction... hes bad about that LOL)

[laughymama]

I second Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. It's my favorite book on childbirth.

As for books more geared towards parenting...I've got nothing. I always just come to MDC.

[MaerynPearl]

My midwife also suggests Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Newborn by Penny Simkin (if I remember correctly she wrote the Birth Partner and I love it! Its informative, realistic, naturally geared and has a lot of funny parts thrown in to keep it light)

She also suggests Having A Baby, Naturally by Peggy O’Mara (whom we should all know that name pretty well from coming to this site, since she is the editor/publisher of Mothering!)

[the janet]

All the above recommendations are great! I also highly recommend anything by Dr. Sears.

You specifically said "pregnancy" books but if you also meant "childbirth", get The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. If you already know that certain interventions/procedures should be avoided but don't exactly know why, then this book is indispensable. I'm a birth doula and already know these things but am definitely more informed after reading it.

I just picked up Grantly Dick-Read's Childbirth Without Fear today and am so excited to dig in.

I haven't read What to Expect but the impression I get from doulas and CBEs is that it's not recommended at all. (ps - Babywise is also on the "do not read" list)

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by the janet

I haven't read What to Expect but the impression I get from doulas and CBEs is that it's not recommended at all.

My first two pregnancies my doctor suggested what to expect...

this third one she suggested totally different books. LOL

I hated What to Expect because really? It tells you to expect things you SHOULDN'T expect.

[taffywelsh]

"Ask a Midwife". That is a good one, lots of pictures, lots of questions answered.

[Liora]

As far as parenting goes I totally recommend Becoming the Parent You Want to Be and The Science of Parenting. They are both really nice ways to develop an overall parenting philosophy. I also think Alfie Kohn's book is awesome, Unconditional Parenting and any book by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish - my favorite is Liberated Parents Liberated Children although I find them to be very practical and more helpful as your child gets older.

[the janet]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl

I hated What to Expect because really? It tells you to expect things you SHOULDN'T expect.

Ha, really? Can you give me some examples?

I should read the book, anyway, just so I know firsthand what the problems are...but I already have at least 20 recommended books to get through so that one will have to wait.

[milosmomma]

I second (third?) 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth'. I credit it with leading me to a successful VBAC.

I know a lot of my friends like 'Birthing from Within'. I didn't like it, but I honestly can't remember why.

[the janet]

Originally Posted by milosmomma

I know a lot of my friends like 'Birthing from Within'. I didn't like it, but I honestly can't remember why.

It's one of those books that doulas and midwives recommend...but I flipped through it and just don't think it's for me. My very superficial understanding of it is that it encourages tapping into creative/artistic outlets for coping with childbirth. It's a little too "new-agey" for my liking...but that's just a personal preference. It does seem to be helpful for a lot of women.

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by the janet

Ha, really? Can you give me some examples?

I should read the book, anyway, just so I know firsthand what the problems are...but I already have at least 20 recommended books to get through so that one will have to wait.

Read the 1 star reviews on amazon for a ton of examples

As for me personally, that book had me convinced that I was going to lose my son, no questions asked, and possibly die myself, because I had a placental abruption. I had the abruption at 17 weeks and was closely monitored by my doctor but basically was convinced by the book that there was no hope.

There was no mention that if you have had toxo before you can change kitty litter. No mention that theres a test to check for that. Basically just says dont do it... or garden because outside cats poop in your garden. And dont go in hot tubs ever no matter what! (both my doctor and midwife are fine with me being in a hot tub set to below 102) And never even sip alcohol or your child will have FAS.... with no mention that the alcohol you drank before you got the BFP (if your BFP was at 4 weeks pregnancy, not much later) never touched your baby so do NOT be afraid you harmed your child by going out with some friends a week before you knew you were pregnant!

It should be renamed The Alarmists Guide to Pregnancy.

Also, even in my first pregnancy and VERY uneducated in natural childbirth, I found the books insistence on needing pain management in the form of drugs or an epidural very negative... they give little to no natural pain coping techniques

[the janet]

Originally Posted by MaerynPearl

It should be renamed The Alarmists Guide to Pregnancy.

YIKES. I see what you mean.

[kissum]

Yes, I hated What to Expect but couldn't clearly remember why this far out from reading it. It's really horribly scary, IMO, to a pregnant women. Especially a first time one.

Thanks for the book suggestions! I'm excited to pick some up!

[guest123456]

I liked Orgasmic Birth too along with some of the other suggestions. It's not solely about an orgasm in birth but does open the mind to many possibilities. Also, it's very holistic, including chapters on physical, mental, emotional, sexual and spiritual health. The well-rounded checklists are great too, simple yet good reminder to keep your pregnancy balanced. The stories at the end are neat too, quite varied and inspirational.

[pammysue]

Yes! Ina May's Guide. I was confident in my ability to birth naturally before I read it, but this book completly changed the way I view my body, in labor or not.

Dr. Sears' Pregnancy Book is like What to Expect but from a more natural perspective. It is a great resource to have on hand for those middle of the night potty trips when you start worrying about every little pang and "what if." I love the Sears Baby Book for the same reason.

Someone gave me What to Expect during my first pregnancy. For shits and giggles I looked up IVs. It basically said you should talk to your Dr about if you really need one, but if the hospital requires it you have NO choice. Still not sure what to do with it.

[DomestiKater]

Ina May, Ina May, Ina May- she is the absolute best i think...
Spiritual Midwifery and Guide to Childbirth

i also enjoyed a book called 'From the Hips' - it's a newer, more alternative what to expect

also 'birthing from within' - that is a great mental prep

i have a million books that have been given to me once the babe arrives - The Baby Book by Dr. Sears seems to be the best so far...but i haven't gotten into all of them yet...

[MariposaMami]

I love Birthing from Within, but skip most things up to about Chapter 21. At about Chapter 21 I think it's great mental prep as someone else said. Also, I just read anything that is positive that will help me get "in the zone". I try to avoid birth stories, articles, etc. that use the words that focus on how much things hurt, etc. It just doesn't do me any good.

[happythistle]

Ina May's guide to childbirth. I heard her speak one year when she came to town, very inspiring woman! I bought both her books on the spot and one is already falling apart. It's been well loved....

[sk8boarder15]

I second childbirth pregnancy and the newborn!!! Fantastic balance between natural methods and modern medicine.