Navigating pregnancy and childbirth can be overwhelming, with so much information out there. Whether you’re expecting for the first time or looking for fresh advice, a great book can be your best companion. Here, we’ve ranked the top 10 best books on pregnancy and childbirth that offer expert insights, practical tips, and emotional support. These books are designed to guide you through pregnancy, help you understand your body, and prepare for childbirth and beyond. Let’s dive into this carefully curated list.
Author: Samantha Reed
Samantha Reed is a maternity health writer with over a decade of experience, specializing in pregnancy and childbirth education. Her focus is on providing clear, evidence-based information to empower parents.
10. The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother
Heng Ou
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,088 ratings)
This book emphasizes the importance of self-care for new mothers in the first 40 days postpartum. It includes advice on rest, recovery, and nourishment, with a strong focus on traditional practices for healing.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s a refreshing take on postpartum care, focusing not just on the baby but also on the mother’s recovery, which is often overlooked in pregnancy and childbirth literature.
Fun Fact
The title is inspired by the ancient Chinese tradition of “zuo yuezi,” or sitting the month, where new mothers focus solely on healing.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy The First Forty Days here
9. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth “Updated With New Material”
Ina May Gaskin
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (8,653 ratings)
Ina May Gaskin, America’s leading midwife, offers invaluable insights into the natural process of childbirth. This guide includes empowering birth stories and practical tips for mothers who wish to have a natural birth experience.
Why We Chose It
The book offers a unique perspective on childbirth, emphasizing the power and capability of women’s bodies, which can be inspiring for mothers preparing for labor.
Fun Fact
Gaskin’s birthing center, “The Farm,” has one of the lowest rates of medical intervention and the highest success rates for natural births in the U.S.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth here
8. Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition
Lily Nichols
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (4,057 ratings)
Nutritionist Lily Nichols challenges conventional wisdom with this evidence-based guide on prenatal nutrition. The book is packed with science-backed advice on how to nourish yourself for a healthier pregnancy and baby.
Why You’ll Love It
If you’re keen to optimize your health during pregnancy and childbirth, this book offers practical, research-driven recommendations to improve both your well-being and that of your baby.
Fun Fact
Lily Nichols’ work has been cited by healthcare professionals for its practical approach to prenatal nutrition, with a focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy Real Food for Pregnancy here
7. Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool (The ParentData Series)
Emily Oster
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (6,113 ratings)
Economist Emily Oster applies a data-driven approach to parenting in this insightful guide, helping parents navigate the overwhelming decisions that come with newborns and toddlers.
Why We Chose It
If you appreciate data-backed decisions, this book takes the guesswork out of pregnancy and childbirth by analyzing evidence on everything from sleep training to feeding practices.
Fun Fact
Oster’s approach has gained a cult following for being both practical and freeing for parents overwhelmed by conflicting advice.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy Cribsheet here
6. Welcome To The World: Keepsake Gift Book for the Arrival Of a New Baby
Lucy Tapper
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9 out of 5 stars (10,370 ratings)
This beautifully illustrated keepsake is the perfect gift for new parents. It’s designed to capture memories and milestones, creating a treasured memento for both parents and their child.
Why You’ll Love It
Perfect for parents who want to preserve the special moments from their pregnancy and childbirth journey in a charming, visually stunning book.
Fun Fact
The book is designed to be neutral and timeless, making it suitable for both boys and girls.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy Welcome To The World here
5. We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook
Adrian Kulp
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7 out of 5 stars (12,707 ratings)
Finally, a pregnancy and childbirth book specifically for dads. Adrian Kulp offers a practical guide to pregnancy from the perspective of a first-time dad, complete with advice, tips, and humor.
Why We Chose It
It’s an essential read for expectant fathers who want to be involved, informed, and supportive throughout the pregnancy and childbirth process.
Fun Fact
Kulp’s humorous and down-to-earth tone makes it an enjoyable read for dads who may feel overwhelmed by the information overload.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy We’re Pregnant! here
4. Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong–and What You Really Need to Know (The ParentData Series)
Emily Oster
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (10,593 ratings)
This book challenges traditional pregnancy advice by breaking down the data behind common recommendations. Emily Oster provides a thoughtful analysis that allows mothers to make informed decisions about their pregnancy and childbirth journey.
Why You’ll Love It
For mothers who want more than just the conventional advice, this book offers evidence-backed information that allows for personal choice and flexibility.
Fun Fact
Oster’s groundbreaking analysis has helped millions of women feel more confident in their choices during pregnancy.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy Expecting Better here
3. Moms on Call | Basic Baby Care 0-6 Months | Parenting Book 1 of 3
Laura Hunter LPN
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6 out of 5 stars (6,638 ratings)
For first-time moms, this practical guide provides clear, no-nonsense advice on everything from feeding to sleep schedules during the first six months of a baby’s life. It’s an excellent go-to resource for understanding the early days of childbirth.
Why You’ll Love It
Moms on Call is a lifesaver for new parents who need structured guidance in the chaotic first months of pregnancy and childbirth.
Fun Fact
The series is written by two pediatric nurses with over 20 years of experience, making it one of the most trusted guides for new moms.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy Moms on Call here
2. What to Expect When You’re Expecting: (Updated in 2024)
Heidi Murkoff
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 out of 5 stars (29,289 ratings)
A timeless classic, this comprehensive guide covers every stage of pregnancy and childbirth. The newly updated edition provides up-to-date information on everything from conception to postpartum care.
Why We Chose It
It’s the go-to book for millions of mothers, offering trusted advice in a warm, reassuring tone that has stood the test of time.
Fun Fact
The first edition of this book was released in 1984, and it remains one of the best-selling pregnancy books of all time.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy What to Expect When You’re Expecting here
1. What to Expect When You’re Expecting: (Updated in 2024)
Heidi Murkoff
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8 out of 5 stars (29,289 ratings)
This updated edition is the ultimate guide for mothers navigating pregnancy and childbirth. Whether you’re concerned about nutrition, birth plans, or recovery, Murkoff covers it all.
Why You’ll Love It
There’s a reason this book has been a go-to resource for decades: it offers reliable, comprehensive, and up-to-date advice for every expectant mother.
Fun Fact
What to Expect has been translated into dozens of languages, making it one of the most widely read pregnancy books globally.
Category: Pregnancy and Childbirth
Buy What to Expect here