Recommended books

[Simplicity]

Last night my fiancé and I have decided to TTC a year or less from now. I'm looking for recommended books I can start reading in regards to TTC, natural birthing & pregnancy, and so on.

I do have one child who is now 10 years old and I really want things to be very different with my choices, and so on this time. I already know alot on how to do this but I'm looking for good books to read on this topic. My first was not planned so I didn't really get ready for him in many ways, Physically, Emotionally, and so on.

What books are your favorite and you would recommend for ttc, pregnancy, children, AP, etc?

[Benji'sMom]

TTC - Taking charge of your Fertility is the only one I know about.

Pregnancy/birth - "Husband Coached Childbirth" and "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" which describe the Bradley Method of childbirth. Also, "Active Birth" which is kinda like Bradley but has lots more info on birthing positions, moving around during labor and that sort of thing.

I never read any books about how to care for babies or that sort of thing, but I'm reading "Positive Discipline" right now and I'm really liking it.

And for God's sake, don't read "what to expect"!

[runner29]

This is a book I really enjoyed:
"Having Faith: An Ecologist's Journey" to Motherhood by Sandra Steingraber

It's a great look at pregnancy as a mini version of (as well as integral part of) the whole earth's ecosystem. Also, it gives a lot to think about as far as environmental factors that might or might not affect your baby. (don't read while pregnant, sometimes it's scary! But a year ahead of time is probably perfect - get the info, think about it, then have it wear off a bit!)

[Simplicity]

Thank you! We've decided to TTC starting in September instead of waiting. I'm doing tons of reading although I'm more informed now then I was when my first was born it's been awhile since I've been preg, or had a baby! My son is almost 11 this year already! Wow!

Thank you!

[mothernurture]

I'm a birth and post-partum doula... here are some really helpful titles:

A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer

anything by Gayle Peterson (she has written many books on pregnancy and birth including Birthing Normally)

Birthing from Within by Pam England

The Birth Book by William Sears (and his wife)

The Attachment Parenting Book by William Sears

and yes, Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler


Good luck! I'd also suggest reading about the midwifery model of care and also the usefulness of hiring a doula as part of your labor support team. I had a less than ideal hospital birth with unnecessary interventions that led to long recovery the first time. Then I did a lot of processing/research etc. and chose a midwifery practice at a free-standing birth center the second time and also hired a birth doula. It was the most empowering experience of my life.