Book suggestions for a first time mother-to-be

[irinam]

I am looking for a "natural" book to gift to a first time mother-to-be, as opposed to "What to expect when you are expecting".

Suggestions would be appreciated! (And can you include what it is you liked about the book, briefly, if you don’t mind?)

Thanks in advance!

[TurboClaudia]

The Pregnancy Book by Sears & Sears
I liked that it addressed how mom might be feeling physically and emotionally, how dad/partner might be feeling physically and emotionally, what each can do to help themselves/each other, what developmental things are going on with baby, and what things to consider during the pregnancy, planning for the birth and planning for baby. It's also more of an "introduction to attachment parenting" as opposed to "hard core attachment parenting".

Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Newborn by Penny Simkin, et al
I liked this because it gives benefits, risks and alternatives to most pregnancy and birth and newborn testing and has only a light leaning towards what it recommends. It really allows the mom/parent to assess the information and make the right decision for them. It is also quite comprehensive.

The Complete Book of Pregnancy & Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
I like this because I love Sheila Kitzinger and her research focus on birth across cultures. The newest edition is probably comparable to the Simkin et al book I mention above. It is perhaps a bit more into the historical basis of birthing in this culture and less about making the appropriate choice for you, but full of great information nonetheless.

~claudia

[irinam]

Thank you so much Claudia and even a bigger thank you for a brief summary!

I think I am leaning towards the second one

[cottonwood]

I second Sheila Kitzinger!

[angelpie545]

Originally Posted by TurboClaudia

The Pregnancy Book by Sears & Sears
I liked that it addressed how mom might be feeling physically and emotionally, how dad/partner might be feeling physically and emotionally, what each can do to help themselves/each other, what developmental things are going on with baby, and what things to consider during the pregnancy, planning for the birth and planning for baby. It's also more of an "introduction to attachment parenting" as opposed to "hard core attachment parenting".

Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Newborn by Penny Simkin, et al
I liked this because it gives benefits, risks and alternatives to most pregnancy and birth and newborn testing and has only a light leaning towards what it recommends. It really allows the mom/parent to assess the information and make the right decision for them. It is also quite comprehensive.

The Complete Book of Pregnancy & Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
I like this because I love Sheila Kitzinger and her research focus on birth across cultures. The newest edition is probably comparable to the Simkin et al book I mention above. It is perhaps a bit more into the historical basis of birthing in this culture and less about making the appropriate choice for you, but full of great information nonetheless.

~claudia

These are excellent choices! I read the first two when I was pregnant with my first and they provided excellent, unbiased information about all options available to pregnant women.

[lizabird]

Dr. Sears books:
Pregnancy book, birth book, baby book

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth

[sapphire_chan]

If she's planning on a hospital birth, I'd get her Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide. Um, not a pregnancy book, but definitely a good book to read during pregnancy--preferably early on so there's time to change care providers if you find out the one you have is stubborn.

[~Megan~]

"The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" is a book that ever pregnant woman should read.

[Emilie]

Birthing From Within by Pam england

[TurboClaudia]

As I was driving off to meet a friend after writing this response, I thought, "Oh darn, I should have mentioned Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth also..."

But some other beat me to it now...

~claudia

[Emilie]

deeeast. what are you so angry about? MDC is about natural things- this includes natural birthing. If you do not agree with natural birthing I ask that you please be civil and kind with your comments. This is not a place for bashing women who birth naturally.

Thank you.

Please pm me if you wish. I am truly sorry for your pain.

[artgoddess]

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. Such an empowering book of birth stories.

[DoomaYula]

The book that changed my life was "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer. Already been mentioned several times. It's just amazing. I'm not a big fan of "Birthing From Within," it's very interesting from an anthropological viewpoint, but I didn't find it had much concrete value.

You can't go wrong with Sheila Kitzinger or Penny Simkin or Ina May Gaskin.

[Emilie]

Have you read any of the above books on childbirth DeeEast? WHat have you read on childbirth?

I have to say- did you read what MDC was about? I am not trying to be mean to you? This is not just the majority- it is mdc.

[Emilie]

What if I said- breastfeeding twins is stupid- I don't know why anyone would want to do that. But I respect it. That is not nice.

We can take this to pm if you want. I am trying tounderstand where you are coming from.

[DeeEast]

Originally Posted by Emilie

What if I said- breastfeeding twins is stupid- I don't know why anyone would want to do that. But I respect it. That is not nice.

We can take this to pm if you want. I am trying tounderstand where you are coming from.

No you obviously are not. You are being snide about my opinion that differs from yours. But that is Aok on MDC. As long as your opinion is in the majority, so don't worry. :

[dove]

Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May Gaskin.

It is the polar opposite of the "what to expect" (0r hopefully not)... book - SM is the crunchy birth bible.

ANYTHING by Sheila Kitzinger. She rocks.

Gentle Birth Choices, Barbara Harper, RN with amazing, beautiful photos by Suzanne Arms

Birth Without Violence, Frederick Leboyer. Classic book with beautiful (and some disturbing, but for a reason) up close photos of newborn infants and a wonderful narrative about what the birth experience is like for an infant.

edit for clarity.

[dove]

DeeEast, care to contribute to the OP's request for book suggestions? The op doesn't need this, she needs constructive suggestions. Feel free to suggest your favourite book.

[RockStarMom]

I read from Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery, Henci Goer's book, Birthing From Within, and the Bradley books and recommend them all.

[irinam]

Thank you mamas so much for your suggestions! Not having read any of those books myself I now have a lot of choices!

Are any of those books designed to "ease" a mainstream-thinker into a more natural thinking? Would she be "shocked"? Being a first-timer she was given enough "do as the doctor (and hospital : ) says" advice...