5 Books To Read When You’re Expecting

Photo (cropped) by Mark Pilgrim, CC BY-SA 2.0

If you are a pregnant mother and a voracious reader, you will naturally look for books that give a clear insight on the pregnancy phase – the physical and psychological changes you will experience, the possible health conditions that come as a package, the foods you need to eat and avoid, the exercises to ensure overall health and natural delivery and just about everything related to pregnancy. Even if you don’t have a great preference for books, as an expectant mother, you sure will need all the guidance day by day pregnancy book can give you. Here are the top 5 books to read when you are expecting.

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

By The Pregnancy Experts at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is one of the best books on pregnancy. As the name suggests, the book is the outcome of the authors’ professional expertise in the field. It offers authentic information on various phases of pregnancy, what to expect and how to prepare yourself to enjoy being expectant parents. It provides in depth information in the form of week-by-week updates on the fetal growth and monthly changes the mother would undergo.

The book contains 40-week pregnancy calendar, which comes in handy to the expectant mother. It also contains a symptoms guide, which will help you to understand what you are going through. The book gives a clear idea on the type of diet you need to follow, exercises to do to help with natural delivery and medication to use. As an expectant mother, you may have lots of questions to ask and some may be embarrassing as well. The book answers all your questions and the best part of it is that the answers are from experts in the field and hence you have an authentic source as your guide during pregnancy.

Inaay’s Guide To Childbirth

By Ina May Gaskin

Here is a must have book during pregnancy. It offers valuable information thanks to the author Ina May Gaskin’s 30 years plus experience in the field as leading midwife in the country she hails from. The author is the founding member of Midwives Alliance of North America and she is also its former president.

The book is a great source of authentic information of having a natural delivery that does not involve technological intervention. The book, which is full of practical advice, contains information on reducing labor pain without drugs, methods involved in inducing labor, methods to boost the possibility of natural birth and creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere for delivery. It also throws light on the process of labor, risks involved in anesthesia and c-section and a lot more.

Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn, 4^th Edition

By Penny Simkin, April Bolding, Ann Keppler, Janelle Durham, Janet Whalley

Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide is an award-winning book and one of the best sellers. It is a great source of authentic information on everything about pregnancy, delivery and the newborn baby. The authors have an impressive experience in the field. Penny Simkin is a physical therapist and a childbirth educator. Janet Whalley is a registered nurse and lactation consultant. Ann Keppler is also a registered nurse and lactation specialist. Janelle Durham, a social worker is a childbirth and lactation educator. April Bolding is also a childbirth educator and holds a doctorate in physical therapy.

The information in the book is backed with research based evidences. It contains information on everything between pregnancy and parenthood. It shares with you the latest information on the role of alternate therapies including acupuncture in pregnancy and childbirth. Statistical analysis on c-section and vaginal birth after caesarian are provided in this book. The book offers valuable information on prenatal nutrition, which will be of great use to pregnant mothers to plan their diet chart. It covers possible complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. The book also offers information on common medications used, normal and cesarean delivery and breastfeeding. With resources recommended for in depth reading, the book is a perfect aid during pregnancy and after.

Mindful Birthing

By Nancy Bardacke

Mindful Birthing: Training The Mind, Body And Heart For Childbirth And Beyond is one of the most highly recommended books to be read during pregnancy. The author Nancy Bardacke, a nurse-midwife, is also a mindfulness teacher. She is the founding director of Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting Program.

The book reveals the secret of mindful birthing, which teaches you to adapt to the changes in you and the uncertainties that form an inevitable part of pregnancy and parenting. It throws light on scientific approach towards meditation and yoga and teaches you to blend them to aid in safe and natural delivery. This book helps you to overcome fear and anxiety and prepare yourself for delivery with your mind full of positive thoughts.

What To Eat When You’re Pregnant

By Dr. Nicole M. Avena

What To Eat When You Are Pregnant is an informative book on the nutritional requirements while you are pregnant and breastfeeding. The need to have a well planned diet during pregnancy can never be stressed more. The food you eat promotes your fetus’ health and ensures proper development of brain and body.

Dr. Nicole M. Avena lays emphasis on the need to eat the right food and has come up with 50 recipes to have during pregnancy. As an experienced professional in the field of neuroscience, obesity research and nutrition, the author provides valuable information on the nutrient needs of your body during pregnancy. The book is a week by week guide, which takes you through the phase and ensures proper development of the baby and mother’s health.