What's on your list of "must reads" during pregnancies?

[Meeshi Mama]

Last time I stuck with more of the mainstream books like What to Expect When You're Expecting etc and was very unprepared for the birthing process.

This pregnancy, I have read a ton of books and really found Ina May Gaskins new book incredibly informative. It's called Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. Had I known about her Law of Spincters in the hospital last time, I think I may not have ended up with a C-secion, or at least I would have known why I was not progressing. In fact, had I read this book the first time, I probably would have looked a little deeper into homebirths. I highly suggest this book, whether you're birthing in the hospital or at home.

Another great, informative book is The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer. Again, chock full of great and pertinent info and *especially* helpful for anyone planning on birthing in the hospital.

What books have you found to be essential reading?

[didelphus]

I reread Our Babies, Ourselves and Spiritual Midwifery.
I also recently read Childbirth without Fear, Easing Labor Pain (really liked this one....it was a hand-me-down from a friend but I highly recommend) and Hypnobirthing.

[amybw]

I still check the WTE book for monthly progress

I have been reading the LLL book Womanly art of Breastfeeding, and a book i got at a yard sale Active Birth ( forget who it is by) but it is GREAT!

Here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/155...lance&n=283155

Magazines and handouts from my OB and hospital.
Been meaning to get some other books, but just havent

Reading lots on MDC too, as much as i can!

[eightyferrettoes]

Hey, Meeshi, I have those exact books on my "library" shelf in the bathroom!

I really enjoy Henci Goer's book-- it's got a real straightforward, "just the facts" approach that I enjoy a lot more than some other books that strike me as being a little too.... granola. LOL.

I read the Searses' "Birth Book" last time, but I find it now to be very hospital-oriented and really repetitive. But at least it did give me the courage to stick by my guns about the no episiotomy thing during DS's birth, for which I am eternally grateful.

ETA: Oh, and someone lent me a copy of "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way," too. I don't think it told me much that I didn't already know, though. The illustrations of a strong versus a weak PC muscle have inspired me to do my Kegels, though!

[eleven]

Thinking Woman's Guide is AWESOME! I'm trying to work through Birthing from Within and have been referring to Sit Up and Take Notice (positioning). I also read Back Labor No More.

I read Ina May's Guide last time around and Spiritual Midwifery this time. For some reason, I just really don't seem to like her stuff. Maybe I should stop reading it. :

[Meeshi Mama]

Yeah, Spiritual Midwifery was a little to loosey goosey for my liking. I prefer the factual info in IMGs newer book, for sure. The part about labor slowing down and even stopping in the hospital and in the presence of strangers makes perfect sense to me *now* but I wish I had known that with my first labor!!

[BirthFree]

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Birthing From Within
The Birth Partner
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
- those are the best if I were to make my shortest list.
My personal and doula all time favorites.

[Ursula Rose]

I absolutely loved Our Babies, Ourselves!!!!

Second pick is Spiritual Midwifery.

Third pick is Ina Mae's new book.

[coop_mom]

I'm reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth (by Ina May Gaskin) right now and really enjoying it - birth stories at the beginning and then good information in the second half. I also read Babycatcher by Peggy Vincent and enjoyed that as well - it had mostly good birth stories, and some bad, so I felt it was pretty realistic.

As usual I will put in a plug for getting books at your local public library for free That way if you don't like them, you can send 'em back and it don't cost nuttin. If you really do like it, then you can go buy your own copy

If they don't have what you're looking for, ask if they can get it through inter-library loan.

--kristin (the librarian

[kimya]

Popping over to your DDC to recommend "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and The Newborn" by Penny Simkin. She is AMAZING!