21 Best Pregnancy Books of 2019

Best Pregnancy Books: Pregnancy is a nature’s way of entrusting you with the responsibility of furthering the human race.

You may be blessed to have your mother or elders around to take care of you and guide you through the term of your pregnancy, but not everyone is as lucky.

Urban couples, nuclear families or single mothers may not have people around to help. Whatever your situation, the best thing is that you always have access to tons of books and literature to help you stay safe and happy during pregnancy.

However, finding the one book that is perfect for you can be overwhelming.

The article exactly helps you pick the best pregnancy books, be it for first-time moms, parents or dads.

Best Books About Pregnancy

#1. ‘Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood and Trusting Yourself and Your Body’ by Doula Erica Chidi Cohen

Written by Doula Erica Chidi Cohen, Nurture walks you through the period from the early months of your pregnancy to the post-pregnancy phase.

The book includes supportive self-care and mindfulness exercises, trimester-specific holistic remedies, nourishing food and recipes for every month of pregnancy.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• As this book covers all the trimester period, you can read it throughout your pregnancy period.

Best For

• If you want to focus on your health with the right diet and exercise, this book is for you.

#2. ‘Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth’ by Ina May

In this book, Ina May shares with you the benefits and joy of natural childbirth. Ina May also encourages you to trust your body for a healthy natural childbirth experience.

Guide to childbirth contains information on everything from mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention called Episiotomy.

The book also explains the risk of anesthesia, cesareans and various insights about what your doctor may not reveal to you.

Ina further gives tips on how to create a safe, comfortable environment for natural childbirth.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• Middle and Last trimester

Best For

• Mother-to-be and their partner who is looking for natural childbirth and not via the surgical process.

#3. ‘Strong as a Mother’ by Kate Rope

Strong as a Mother is filled with grace and lets you know what lies ahead of your pregnancy phase.

The book gives you the tips needed to take care of yourself and professional advice on how to move on through your struggling phase.

Strong as a Mother is divided into 3 parts.

• Pregnancy phase – explains to you how to move forward in each trimester.
• Surviving the first year – explains how to take care of the baby when he needs you the most.
• Motherhood beyond – How motherhood changes you as a person and how to adapt.

The book also helps you with techniques to prioritize your health, set boundaries on what not to do during your pregnancy period and how to create a strong relationship with your partner.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• Whenever you come to know you are pregnant.

Best For

• Women who get nervous thinking about motherhood.

#4. ‘C-Section: How to Avoid, Prepare for and Recover From Your Cesarean’ by Dr. Mark Zakowski

The book C-section is not a pro or con book about Caesarean procedure. But acknowledges how cesarean may be the only and best option for you.

If you are at the beginning of your pregnancy phase, the book gives you the essential tips to reduce the chances of Caesarean.

Dr. Mark Zakowski explains what you can expect from a cesarean procedure, how to prepare for the procedure and gives you insights into the recovery process.

You will get all the answers to your questions like

• Is a cesarean always necessary?
• Are there steps you can take to avoid cesarean.
• How will a cesarean affect you and your child’s health?
• What information do you need to know before you choose to have a cesarean?

The book will leave you well prepared so that you can be less nervous for whatever could happen in a cesarean procedure.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• Mid and Last trimester

Best For

• Women who want to know and fear about C-section
• Women going to have a c section

#5. ‘What to Do When You’re Having Two’ by Natalie Diaz

Through the book “What to do when you’re having two”, Natalie Diaz, founder of Twiniversity shares her personal stories of her pregnancy journey and mom of fraternal twins.

The book provides helpful advice on breastfeeding and childbirth to budgeting and the gears needed during pregnancy.

“What to do when you’re having two” book is a how-to guide on parenting twins and covers topics like

• How to make a birth plan checklist
• Managing double-duty breastfeeding
• Sticking to one sleep schedule
• Stocking up all necessary gear
• Building a one-on-one relationship with each child

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• Whenever you come to know you are going to have twins.

Best For 

• Women who are expecting twins.

Best Pregnancy Books For First Time Moms

#6. ‘Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy’ by the Pregnancy Experts at Mayo Clinic

If you are a first-time mom, “Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy” book helps you with features which include

• Week by week updates on your baby’s growth.
• Month by month changes that you can expect.

The book also comes with an indispensable chart that indicates how to handle troublesome signs and symptoms during each of your trimesters.

For example, if you experience bleeding in your vaginal opening during weeks 29 to 32, the chart indicates you to consult your doctor immediately.

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is a detailed guide on how to embrace your pregnancy journey while taking care of your health through fitness and food.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• When you are planning to get pregnant for the first time.

Best For

• A first-time mother-to-be who need an accurate and reliable guide on getting pregnant, meal planning and healthy exercises.

#7. ‘The Healthy Pregnancy Book’ by William Sears

The Healthy Pregnancy Book provides you with insights about the important things you should know if you are pregnant for the first time without instilling fear in you.

The book covers all the stages of pregnancy from preconception through birth with a major focus on how to enhance you and your baby’s health.

You will get detailed information about how your baby is developing inside you and how you may change both emotionally and physically during this period.

This book will also give you insights regarding

• Pregnancy superfoods
• Exercise and keeping you fit
• Questions about tests and technology
• Childbirth options
• How to protect your womb environment and recognize potential hazards

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• At the beginning of your trimester period.

Best For

• Women who are nervous and worried about first-time pregnancy.

#8. ‘The Birth Book’ by William Sears and Martha Sears

The Birth Book is for you if planning for your first baby and aiming for a pain-free medication.

The book is divided into three parts

• Preparing for birth – how to prepare emotionally and physically for childbirth.
• Easing pain in labor – tips and techniques during the labor pain.
• Experiencing birth – how not to panic and stay calm while delivering.

The book also includes important information like

• Selecting your baby’s birth class.
• Selecting the right birthing environment and team.
• Preparing physically and emotionally for childbirth.
• Lessening the discomfort and speeding the process of labor.
• Decreasing the chances for a cesarean birth.

Additionally, William Sears and Martha Sears provides useful insights about vaginal births, water births, home births, best birthing positions and all essential tips for a first time mom.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• When you are planning to get pregnant.

Best For

• A first-time mom who is aiming for pain-free medication childbirth.

#9. ‘What to Eat When You’re Pregnant’ by Dr. Nicole M Avena

What to Eat When You’re Pregnant removes all your confusion about food regarding what to eat as opposed to what to avoid while you are pregnant for the first time.

When you are eating for two, your diet can have profound effects on your baby.

With this book, Dr. Nicole Avena explains you the healthy diets that you can follow to start a healthy life.

The book contains 50 recipes for you so that you are assured that you are getting the best for your developing child.

These recipes support your baby’s development during each stage of pregnancy and keep you nourished and satisfied.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• First trimester

Best For

• New moms-to-be who have no idea about a healthy diet during their pregnancy period.

Best Pregnancy Books for First Parents

#10. ‘What to Expect the First Year’ by Heidi Murkoff

What to expect the first year is your bible if you are first time parents. The book covers all the aspects of the baby such as safety, breastfeeding, vitamin supplements, sleep training and potty training.

From cloth diapers to non-toxic furniture, how dad can influence the baby, everything is covered in the book.

There is a separate chapter on buying for baby. Which helps you to narrow down to the best options when it comes to baby products, nursery items and essential gears.

Additionally, you will also find tips on preparing homemade baby food, and how to reduce your baby’s screen time which has a serious impact on your baby’s health.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• Immediately after the birth of your first baby.

Best For

• First-time parents who want to learn about parenting.

#11. ‘Cribsheet’ by Emily Oster

As a new parent, you might receive advice related to your baby from doctors, family, friends and the internet.

From the earliest days, you get messages about breastfeeding, sleeping patterns and safety which you may get confused.

‘Cribsheet’ by Emily Oster helps to get rid of all these confusion by providing you insights about the decision making in your early days of parenting.

Cribsheet debunks the myths around breastfeeding, sleep training, potty training and language acquisition with evidence-based parenting advice.

The book also tackles all the major issues like circumcision, marital health with kids and when to conceive your next baby.

As a new parent, you will also receive insights on

• How and when to go back to work
• How to think about toddler discipline
• How to have a relationship with your baby & spouse at the same time.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• When you are confused after your childbirth.

Best For 

• First-time parents confused about how to take care of their baby’s needs.

#12. ‘Your Baby and Child’ by Penelope Leach

Your baby and child is a practical handbook which describes you the easy to follow stages from birth to starting school, what is happening to your child, what he is experiencing and feeling.

Penelope Leach has given a detailed insight about

• New baby’s wakefulness,
• A toddler’s tantrums,
• A preschool child’s shyness, aggression & nightmare,
• How and when to resume your work,
• Choosing a daycare for your baby.

Penelope Leach also offers real tips and encouragement every parent needs in order to survive the first few years of parenthood.

She tackles everything from basics like teething and tantrums, breastfeeding to sleep training.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• First five years of your baby.

Best For

• First-time parents who find it difficult to teach and communicate with their kids.

Best Funny Books During Pregnancy

#13. ‘What to Expect When You’re Expected’ by David Javerbaum

“What to Expect when you’re expected” book contains a clever parody and laughs at the hilarious moments you come across in your pregnancy period.

At the same time, the book provides the most accurate womb hood information, including all the answers to your pregnancy-related queries.

What to Expect when you’re expected is a hilarious book to unwind from all your stress and is seriously informative.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• First and Middle Trimester.

Best For

• Pregnant women looking for laughs to accompany the unsolicited advice.

#14. ‘Parenting: Illustrated with Crappy Pictures’ by Amber Dusick

Amber Dusick, the blogger at CrappyPictures.com, talks about the lighter moments in her life as a parent and the silly things that kids do with the help of hilarious pictures.

While reading this book, you can definitely relate it with your own life and how your parenthood isn’t different from others.

Mixed with emotions and pictures, Amber also talks about your annoying pregnancy weight conversation.

The book is a hilarious way of talking about the funny and frustrating experiences as a parent through the crappy baby and crappy papa.

The book would not make your frustrating moments less crappy, but these stories can definitely entertain you in your hard times.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• The beginning of the parenting phase.

Best For

• First-time parents looking for funny stories in an illustrative way.

#15. ‘Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son’s First Year’ by Anne Lamott

Operating Instructions is a story of how Anne Lamott and her son thrive the all-important first year humorously.

The book is a funny yet sad candid diary about her infant.

Though the first part of the book is funny and can relate to your baby’s first-year journey, the latter half of the book covers some dark sad moments that come across her life.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• After the birth of your first child.

Best For

• Single Mothers who take care of their baby without anyone’s help.

#16. ‘Belly Laughs’ by Jenny McCarthy

Belly Laughs reveals the naked truth about the joys, pains and the disfigurement you encounter at the time of pregnancy in a funny way.

This book covers everything from morning sickness and hormonal rage to hemorrhoids, pregnancy sex and the delivery in a hilarious way which does not stress you.

Jenny McCarthy also explains you the lowdown on pregnancy in the grittiest way possible, which will help you to forget the pain and stress for the time being.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• First and Mid-trimester.

Best For

• Mothers-to-be looking for a comic relief book.

#17. ‘The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy’ by Vicki Iovine

The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy is a funny way to get the lowdown on all the things which are strange and embarrassing to ask.

Vicki Iovine provides practical tips in a hilarious way that your doctor and parents would not tell you.

From morning sickness and gas to eating everything in sight, what goes from being a babe to having one, everything is covered in this book in a fun, practical way.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• First trimester.

Best For

• Mothers-to-be looking forward to learn about pregnancy in a fun and lenient way.

Best Pregnancy Books for Dads

#18.  ‘Birth Partner’ by Penny Simkin

“Birth Partner” book is a definitive guide to help your wife through labor pain. The book is informative and does not contain any soft stuff about childbirth.

Penny Simkin recommends on how to handle your wife’s mood swings and how to cheer her up without getting worried about the pregnancy.

The main objective of this book is to guide you on how you can help your wife in every step of her pregnancy phase. You get information about the non-drug techniques for easing the labor pain, actionable techniques and realities of the mother.

Penny Simkin has also added some tips on massage and the things to have with you in the hospital.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• First and Middle trimester.

Best For

• Fathers-to-be who wants to help their pregnant wife through pregnancy phase and labor pain.

#19. ‘The Expectant Father’ by Armin A. Brott

“The Expectant Father” book is a guide for father’s, detailing experiences during the pregnancy and childbirth which is rarely discussed in other books.

The book is a month by month guide that explains to you what to expect during and post-pregnancy period. Further, the book also helps you know – how your wife, baby and you may be feeling during the pregnancy phase.

The book introduces to the emotional ups and downs and conflicts you may experience with your wife during pregnancy. The book also helps you with tips on – how can you overcome it without affecting you and your wife.

Armin also provides you with the helpful tips and tools you need to support your wife, prepare for the baby’s arrival and how to take care during the pregnancy period.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• When you come to know that your wife is pregnant.

Best For

• Fathers-to-be who want to help their wife emotionally.

#20. ‘What to Expect When Your Wife is Expanding’ by Thomas Hill

“What to expect when your wife is expanding” book is packed with information, advice and attitude for guys who want to contribute during the pregnancy phase.

The book explains the details of trimesters, what to buy, how many and when to buy to remove all your confusion.

Additionally, you will also come to know how to maintain the work-life balance and the small details that save you from the wrong gifts for your pregnant wife. You get to know the social media pregnancy etiquette and the reasons not to pick out maternity clothes.

The book also gives you tips about the festive gender reveal parties, baby name guide and how to choose the cloth diapers.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• First and Middle Trimester.

Best For

• Fathers-to-be with no understanding of the pregnancy phase.

#21. ‘Dude, You’re Gonna be a Dad’ by John Pfeiffer

“Dude, You’re gonna be a Dad” book is a guide on how to focus on what you can do for your wife rather than what is happening to her.

John also helps you to learn what you can do in the delivery room and all other aspects which makes the next nine months go smoothly.

Additionally, the author also provides tips on how to deal with morning sickness, doctor visits. Painting your baby’s nursery, choosing a name all the while by remaining positive and responsive.

The Ideal Time to Read this Book

• When you come to know that your wife is pregnant.

Best For

• Fathers-to-be who are expecting plenty of responsibilities.

Conclusion

The above books help you understand and enjoy various aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and parenting.

The books get you prepared by making you think of all the situations and helping you be ready for them.

Feel free to share your thoughts and the title of any other best book on pregnancy that you have read and followed.