Great books to read while pregnant
Reading - all you need is a little light, and a bookmark! Reading is a great way to pass the time and educate yourself during and about pregnancy, particularly if you’ve had to give up some other hobbies. Whether you’re a bookworm or avidly anti-Arial, there’s bound to be the perfect read out there for you!
Which books should I read?
If you want to find a simple book that will help with pregnancy, you may be surprised to find that there are hundreds of books on everything from pregnancy to childbirth and raising your newborn baby. You don’t need to read all these books, but it is not a bad idea to read a couple for reference and a couple just to enjoy. Many moms rate general pregnancy books highly and find them to be very helpful. If you want to read more in depth on a subject you’re concerned about. Whether it is going into labor, nursing, protecting your newborn, or anything else, there are many books for you.
There are so many books, how should I choose which ones to read?
The selection of pregnancy related books can be overwhelming. Some websites list 10 or 20 books that are “must reads,” but the truth is that you don’t need to read all of these to have a happy, healthy pregnancy. Read online reviews or flip through online previews (or the actual book if you go to a bookstore). Choose some books that you find interesting or fun because chances are they will also be helpful. If you’re looking for a good general reference book, make sure it is by someone reputable.
Do I need to read books?
Reading is a great way to pass time and learn a lot during your pregnancy, but it is by no means necessary. You can learn the almost all the medical information you need from your healthcare provider, and you can get good advice from trusted friends and family. Generally a good idea is to have a reference book you like, a couple of good novels, and any specialty books on things you’re concerned about. There is no rule as to how much or how little you need to read, but many women find that picking at least a few books is very helpful.
Here is a list of a few great pregnancy reads we recommend:
- Expecting Better, Emily Oster: Dr. Oster's book is the best for empowering readers to make their own decisions when it comes to certain seemingly arbitrary rules and requirements of pregnancy, like coffee, alcohol, and prenatal testing. Oster's book is among the first to really challenge conventional pregnancy wisdom, and back it up with solid evidence.
- Let’s Panic about Babies!, Alice Bradley and Eden M. Kennedy: This book will hold your hand through all stages of your pregnancy and provide relief through humor. You don’t even have to be pregnant to laugh with this book.
- What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel: The number 1 selling pregnancy book is number 1 for a reason. This is a great reference tool that will help you understand your pregnancy and guide you throughout the journey
- Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy: From the trusted Mayo Health Clinic, this book has trusted answers to all your medical questions to help you have the most healthy pregnancy possible.
- Be Prepared, Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden: Probably better for the new dad, this is a handbook for everything he should expect for your newborn baby. This has less to do with pregnancy and more to do with raising your newborn, but it is funny and he will definitely enjoy it. Trying to get him involved and reading will be easy with this book.
- Shopaholic and Baby, Sophie Kinsella: From the shopaholic series, this book has a pregnant protagonist that you can root for in an exciting novel that will keep you entertained.
- Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, American Academy of Pediatrics: In preparation for your newborn, this book has all the tools you need to know so you can raise a healthy child.
- The Yorkshire Pudding Club, Milly Johnson: This is another fun novel that tells a story about three friends and their unique experiences through pregnancy together.
These are only a few of our favorite books, but there are so many more! Explore the books available and pick your favorite ones.
