The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin: Great read for your partner or yourself. It covers everything you need to know.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin: Shares real experiences and the science behind what happens with your body during pregnancy and birth. Skip around between birth stories and practical advice. If you want to feel empowered to have a natural birth, read this book. Your body is amazing.
The Pregnant Body Book by Dr. Sarah Brewer: An unbiased and richly informative book of illustrations dedicated to anatomy and the science of reproduction, pregnancy, and birth. Details on the weekly changes and growth during pregnancy. Beautiful medical photography and information graphics. Fantastic for scientific minded people!
Expecting Better by Emily Oster: A fact-based book for empowered pregnancy choices. Calmly presents the data on major decisions you’ll make during pregnancy. Encourages you to form your own opinion about what is best for you. If you have trouble taking advice without knowing the “why” or if knowing the facts gives you confidence, this is an excellent book for you.
Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide by Penny Simkin: Even more in-depth and detailed than The Birth Partner. Great for research driven Mama’s who want to know all the facts.
Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill: Learn how to have the best possible birth for you. Regardless of whether you plan to have your baby in hospital, birth center, at home, or by elective cesarean. Note: Contains cursing.
Hypnobabies Home Study Course: This course helps you feel confident and positive about birth. The audio files are the most useful. It teaches self hypnosis for pain management. Check for hypnobabies classes in your area.
Birthing from Within: An artful approach to processing emotions about pregnancy and birth. It offers coping techniques and different forms of art therapy to work out your fears. A great prompter for making art, journaling, and meditating during your pregnancy.
Books on Nutrition: Deep Nutrition too large to read every page but a great resource, What to Eat While Pregnant, Real Food for Mother and Baby, and Beautiful Babies.