BEST PREGNANCY BOOKS OF 2021: OUR TOP 8 PICKS

These pregnancy books are must-reads for every pregnant woman. So, whether you’re looking to gain more knowledge about your condition or to entertain yourself with a page-turner, make sure you stock-up your library with these bestsellers.

BOOKS FOR FIRST-TIME MOMS

Pregnancy books for first-time moms should have three things. One, they should have a weekly or monthly guide. Two, they should have cute (not scary) birth stories. And three, they should have basic information about labour and delivery. The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth by Genevieve Howland is all that! It’s a week-by-week compilation of all that is happening with your baby’s development. Not only will it help you know the ins and outs of pregnancy, but it will also prepare you well enough for birthing. The birth stories are motivating and will make you look forward to D-day with confidence. It is indeed a pleasant read!

BOOKS FOR FIRST-TIME DADS OR BIRTH PARTNERS

First-time dads and other birth partners need to be knowledgeable about pregnancy and birthing. This will help them to be more understanding, loving and willing to lend their support. First Time Dad: Pregnancy Handbook for Dads-To-Be (What to Expect for the Next 9 Months) by Steven Bell will show any first-time dad what to expect during pregnancy, birth and when you bring your newborn home. Talk about a complete practical guide all in one book and written from a male perspective! And it's so hilarious!

BOOKS ABOUT EATING HEALTHY

If there’s any time a woman needs to be extra cautious of what she eats, it’s when she’s pregnant. Know what foods are taboo and what is good for you and your baby with this book, Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition penned by Lily Nichols. This book shows you the nutrition needs of your body at every stage of your pregnancy. The concept is novel and does a deeper dive into nutrition, one way to make pregnancy safer for a woman and her baby.

BOOKS THAT HELP YOU GAIN LABOUR SKILLS

Looking forward to D-day can be exciting when you have pregnancy books to coach you in the complexities of birthing. If you are looking to birth naturally or by getting an epidural, Natural Birth the Bradley Way: Revised Edition by Susan McCutcheon will equip you with all the skills you need. This book has  exercises and meditations to help you have a safe and easy birth.

BOOKS THAT HELP YOU AND YOUR TODDLER COPE WITH PREGNANCY AND A NEW SIBLING

If you have a toddler, you know he or she will struggle to deal with the arrival of a newborn. Anxieties like becoming an older sibling or losing their special place to another. And adjusting to changes like why mummy has a big bump or having to share mummy’s lap with another or why mummy can’t always play with them are all dealt with in Kate Hosford’s picture book, Mama’s Belly. You and your toddler will find this an enjoyable read as he or she learns to accept all these changes. This book will help make this transition a wonderful experience for you and your toddler.

PREGNANCY ACTIVITY BOOKS

Are you looking for pregnancy books that are interactive and incorporate activities like journaling into the reading? Then look no further. As You Grow: A Modern Memory Book for Baby by Korie Herold is your go-to book. It is a contemporary approach to creating a baby or keepsake book. It has a section for you to save precious moments (like sonograms) from pregnancy to when your wee one is five. There is also a section for you to make journal entries and write letters to your child. Additionally, there is a section to record pregnancy milestones. This book will empower you to connect with your inner emotions and track your pregnancy with fun-filled activities.  

BOOKS ABOUT BIRTHING IN THE 21^ST CENTURY

Pregnancy and birthing have never been this challenging as in the 21st century. Modern maternal care is hyper-medicalized. Most births in North America are by cesarean section or induced. If you are a millennial or a Gen Z mom, Birth Matters: A Midwife’s Manifesta is a must-read and an eye-opener. Midwife Ina May Gaskin in this book throws the spotlight on the drawbacks of the modern maternal care system. She encourages modern women to reconsider the old-fashioned option of birthing naturally. Additionally, she helps restore your confidence in your body’s ability to birth naturally with practical tools that will help you sail through labour.

BOOKS ABOUT LABOUR PAIN

Labour pain is every pregnant woman's nightmare! But when you are fully prepared for it physically and mentally, it does not have to be. Painless Childbirth: An Empowering Journey Through Pregnancy and Birth is an inspiring real-life story of the author's birth experience and triumph over pain. Giuditta Tornetta, the author, in her book, shares her experiences in a 9-step guide. This guide has practical tools and exercises that will empower pregnant women to overcome their fears, like the fear of labour pain. She imparts wisdom in a way that will help any reader of her book grow in her self-confidence to take charge of their pregnancy.

By Nana Ama Afoa Osae I Writer I GreatWonderful Team

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