When it comes to growing a little human, they’re so many questions: Is this normal? Can I eat this? When will I start to feel baby kick? Will I cope with labour? The best pregnancy books answer all of these and more.
We’ve scoured the best-seller lists to find the best pregnancy and birthing books from across the world. From informative yet funny, mindful birthing techniques to eating right – we’ve found the book that’s right for you.
Here are 25 pregnancy books and birthing books to empower new mums on their pregnancy journey.
1. Tell it like it is
Up The Duff by Kaze Cooke: Australia’s top-selling pregnancy book with good reason. A no-nonsense read that tells it like it is. With all the up-to-date info you need, some sarcasm, wit and cartoons thrown in for good measure.
2. Guide to natural childbirth
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin: She’s America’s leading midwife with more than 30 years of experience – what Ina May Gaskin doesn’t know about birth isn’t worth knowing. Detailing what really happens during labour, how to create a calm birth environment and tips to try and avoid a medicated birth, it’s aimed at shaking the fear of childbirth.
The Mama Natural Week-By-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth by Genevieve Howland: Hugely popular on YouTube, Genevieve Howland’s videos deliver empowerment to navigate a natural pregnancy and parenting with a hint of humour. Now she’s translating those same messages through her week-by-week natural pregnancy book. There are weekly tips for a healthy pregnancy including nutrition and natural remedies.
6. The holy grail
The Baby Bible by Bec Judd: She’s juggled a career, a professional AFL player hubby and four babies – there isn’t a lot that Bec Judd doesn’t know about pregnancy. She teamed with an obstetrician, a midwife, an ultrasound specialist, a women’s health physio and a paediatric sleep specialist to pen this month-by-month guide through pregnancy. Practical info balanced with a healthy dose of hilarious honesty.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi E. Murkoff: The world’s best-selling pregnancy guide, and one of the most influential books of the last 25 years, it’s packed full of must-have information, advice and tips for mums and dads-to-be. It answers all of the questions running around our heads when we’re pregnant.
9. Namaste
Mamaste: Discover a more authentic, balanced, and joyful motherhood from within by Lori Bregman: A holistic guide to becoming a balanced, authentic, and joyful mother. Written by a celebrated doula, healer, yoga teacher, and parenting coach, the book explores five styles of mothering and offers a nonjudgmental approach that honours and supports every woman’s unique journey through motherhood.
10. Tic, toc!
The Pregnancy Countdown Book by Susan Maggee: Starting on day 280, this book counts down the major milestones until the big day. There’s a page of info for each day of pregnancy with tips from doctors and midwives. It’ll tell you everything from when you need to stop sleeping on your back to when you should have the nursery done.
11. The Motherload
The Mother of All Pregnancy Books by Ann Douglas: An ultimate guide from conception to birth. An entertaining read that lays out the facts of pregnancy in a fresh and fun way with expert advice.
The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine: With more than half a million copies in print, this best-seller has become a comfort to thousands of mums-to-be around the world. Honest and funny, Vicki Iovine is just like the girlfriend you need during pregnancy, willing to lay it out. Answering things you’re too embarrassed to ask, chatting about moods, detailing how to stay stylish and discussing birth options.
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy: 2nd Edition by Dr Myra J Wick: A reference manual for parents-to-be from experts at America’s number one ranked hospital. There’s info on how to stay healthy during pregnancy, week-by-week baby growth updates and the month-by-month changes that a mum-to-be goes through.
Mindful Motherhood by Cassandra Vieten: Based on research from the California Pacific Medical Centre, this book arms mums with mindfulness tools and tips to help navigate the choppy waters of pregnancy and parenthood.
The Day-by-Day Pregnancy Book by Dr. Maggie Blott: A daily countdown to the big day, with images illustrating each stage of baby’s development. There are Q&As with experts, and also details what will happen in the 12 hours after you have your baby.
Eating for Two: The complete guide to nutrition during pregnancy and beyond by Annabel Karmel: She’s the guru of first and toddler foods, but Annabel Karmel also knows how to feed you and your bump during pregnancy. Tips on what to eat and what to avoid, the best nutrition to combat sleepiness and heartburn and things to cook ahead for those manic first days of parenthood.
