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Congrats – you’re growing a whole new human! That statement is mindblowing, and the unknown seems limitless. Luckily we live in an era where we can find a book about everything. Your ob/gyn is your expert source, but having a great pregnancy book can fill the gaps of knowledge and also arm you with relevant questions to ask your doctor.



With all the uncertainty that pregnancy brings, it is good to know what to expect. Pregnancy books can be detailed, breaking down experiences from conception to birth. Some allow for immersive activities that give readers a complete pregnancy experience. Whatever your individual needs, there is a pregnancy book for you – you just have to find it!

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What to look for in pregnancy books

When choosing a pregnancy book, the content is very important. You want a book that covers from pregnancy to conception and beyond. Make sure that the information and data that is included is accurate, current and touches on not just physical changes, but the emotional changes of pregnancy.

You will also want to consider the writing style. Do you want more medical jargon, or a conversational writing style? All of this is part of the user experience. The author credentials are an issue if they claim to be medical experts. Do not forget to check the reviews. You can always trust what other moms have to say!

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Why you should read or buy a variety of pregnancy books

There is a ton of information out there about pregnancy. Of course, you won’t be able to read it all, but you want to read enough. Determining what is “enough” may be difficult. You definitely want to read books that cover all the science and data about pregnancy, childbirth and afterward. Make sure to get one that adequately covers the postpartum period – physical and emotional changes. After that, look for books that address your specific circumstances.

Are you having twins? Is your pregnancy considered high risk? Are you an LGBTQ couple? Are you doing surrogacy? What kind of birth are you planning? And if a dad is involved, you can definitely find a book for him. You get the picture – keep an open mind and read widely.

Here are the best pregnancy books:

Best Pregnancy Books

What to Expect When You’re Expecting

Best overall

$10 $18 Save $8

Popular pregnancy book that answers all the questions about being pregnant, giving birth and afterward.

Title
What to Expect When You’re Expecting

Author
Heidi Murkoff

Genre
pregnancy

Publication Date
May 31, 2016

Number of Pages
656

Publisher
Workman Publishing Company

Pros

  • affordable
  • comprehensive pregnancy information
  • good reviews

What to Expect When You’re Expecting is probably the most well known pregnancy book. Most women have seen or read one before even thinking about getting pregnant, and it is probably the first pregnancy book you’ll get your hands on, because a mom friend has one lying around. It is popular for a reason. It is comprehensive. It will very likely have all the information you need and a lot you didn’t think of asking. From questions about what you should eat, to what labor pains feel like – this book has you covered.

Parents sing the praises of this book. They use terms like “a pregnancy bible”, and “best motherhood book ever written”. They say the book provides lots of information and medical terms that you may not have known. It is a great resource to arm yourself with questions for your ob/gyn check up. The book is constantly being updated, so don’t read your mom’s copy – try to get the latest edition.

Natural birthing book

The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth

Best natural birth

$16 $22 Save $6

A week-by-week guide to a natural childbith.

Pros

  • easy to follow
  • includes input from doulas and lactation consultant
  • great pictures and illustrations

The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth is the resource for the new mom who is exploring having a medication-free birth. The book seeks to redefine what a “natural” pregnancy and childbirth is without mom shaming. It incorporates medical research, nutrition information, natural remedies, and the expertise of a certified midwife nurse (CMN), registered nurse (RN), lactation consultant and doulas.

Parents say this book is one of a kind. It is helpful in helping them understand their bodies. Moms love that it provides breastfeeding help and advice. One mom loved how the book laid out medical options and alternatives. It’s an overall great pregnancy resource.

The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be

The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be

Best for Dad

$13 $16 Save $3

The ultimate guide for expectant fathers

Pros

  • explains childbirth from dad’s POV
  • details months after baby’s arrival
  • great illustrations
  • includes experiences of real dads
Cons

  • not the best stand alone read

The Expectant Father is a resource for dads-to-be. It provides a month-by-month overview of the baby’s physical development, and how to prepare for fatherhood. There are also two special sections – what to expect during labor and delivery, and supporting the new mom during the postpartum period. The cartoons in the book are fun, and the book is very reader-friendly.

Expectant fathers say the book is easy to read, and an excellent resource for understanding what the mom-to-be is going through physically and emotionally. It is also a great gift for expectant fathers.

When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads

When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads

Best for multiples

$14 $26 Save $12

When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads is a resource for mom-to-be who is explecting multiples. 

Pros

  • provides dietary advice
  • gives guidelines for safe exercise and physical work
  • advises on prenatal care for multiples

When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads is a great resource for mom-to-be’s who are expecting multiple births. The book centers nutritionally based prenatal care, and exercise recommendations. It also helps you find the best doctors for multiple births, reducing the risk for pregnancy complications, recognizing the signs of preterm labor and knowing what to do, and caring for newborns and the new mom.

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Moms of multiples have glowing reviews for this book. It is recommended by many fetal specialists. It gives advice on how to eat during pregnancy to ensure that the babies reach optimal birth weight. It also helps mom-to-be’s know to prevent preterm labor and what to do if it happens. One mom mentioned a reference in the book – renting DVD’s, and crib bumpers without warnings – being outdated.

Your Pregnancy Week by Week

Your Pregnancy Week by Week

Best week by week

$10 $20 Save $10

A pregnancy book that provides week by week information for all 40 weeks of pregnancy.

Pros

  • simple and easy to follow
  • tips on nutrition
  • includes illustrations of baby’s development

Your Pregnancy Week by Week is, as the title implies – a detailed week by week guide to the 40 weeks of pregnancy. It’s easy to use with illustrations of the baby’s development as the baby grows. It also provides information on medical tests and procedures, and tips on nutrition during pregnancy. Helps moms-to-be with safe and easy weekly exercises to help them stay in shape.

Moms-to-be say the book is useful and a great way to count down the weeks. They say it is easy to use and follow, with more interaction than a monthly guide.

50 Things to Do Before You Deliver: The First Time Moms Pregnancy Guide

50 Things to Do Before You Deliver: The First Time Moms Pregnancy Guide

Best activity book

$11 $15 Save $4

Pregnanvy activity book that details 50 things to do before delivery

Pros

  • lots of activities
  • organised by trimester
  • includes advice from medical experts
Cons

  • doesn’t include financial planning for new baby

50 Things to Do Before You Deliver: The First Time Moms Pregnancy Guide activity-based pregnancy book is well-loved. It contains 50 specific steps to take when preparing for a new baby to give you confidence and peace of mind. The actionable steps are organized by trimester and include the advice of medical experts. Moms say it’s not a traditional baby book and does not shame. They say it’s informative and task-based. From padsicles to pediatrician, the book covers all these tasks and more. One user hoped for financial planning tasks as a new baby definitely costs money.

Successful Surrogacy: An Intended Parents' Guide to a Rewarding Relationship With Their Surrogate Mother

Successful Surrogacy: An Intended Parents’ Guide to a Rewarding Relationship With Their Surrogate Mother

Best for intended parents

Pregnancy book that helps intended parents develop a rewarding relationship with their surrogate.

Pros

  • details gestational process from surrogate’s POV
  • explains surrogacy in detail
  • helps prepare for what happens after birth

Successful Surrogacy: An Intended Parents’ Guide to a Rewarding Relationship With Their Surrogate Mother is a pregnancy book for parents who are considering surrogacy or are currently using a surrogate. It gives the surrogate’s point of view and details the entire surrogacy process. This includes initial medical evaluations, what the surrogate goes through physically and emotionally, and what happens after delivery.

Having this book helps intended parents understand their surrogate and develop a better relationship with them. Intended parents say it is an amazing and insightful resource. It provides all the details of surrogacy and helps intended parents anticipate sticky issues that may come up. It is a great map for intended parents.

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Best pregnancy books for gifting

Gift giving is a great way to show the expecting mom some love. Firstly, find out which books she already has. Trust me – no one wants multiple copies of the same book. If you know her well enough, try to get her a niche pregnancy book. It could be a pregnancy book for Black women, or one that includes steps for designing a birth plan.

Like any thoughtful gift, make sure it is something that the new mom can use, and show that you put effort into buying.

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