Pregnancy Reading List

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Ranked #3,580 in Family, #95,080 overall

So much information - So little time! How do you know what you don't know yet? Check out these selections! These were the best books overall based on my three pregnancy experiences.

Pregnancy Reading List

(Or Read Up While You Still Have the Time!)

Products:

Baby Bargains - by the authors of Bridal Bargains, with updated information available on their website, because we don't all read Consumer Reports. VERY USEFUL book. Also see their website for updates.

Pregnancy:

What to Expect When You're Expecting (a.k.a. WTEWYE) - has sort of become a pregnancy Bible, but can be a bit militant about some things, like your diet. Still, a very useful resource. It organizes your pregnancy by month, so the info can cover a relatively long period of development, but it conveys pertinent information in each chapter, including baby's development, and symptoms to watch out for.

Your Pregnancy Week by Week - a little more narrow than WTEWYE, in terms of the timeframe addressed. Especially of interest during first pregnancies, when you are fascinated by each and every minute detail of your baby's development.

The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy: Or Everything Your Doctor Won't Tell You - a witty and humorous look at the ups and downs of pregnancy through the eyes of a mom of 4. Okay, so she was a lawyer, and posed for Playboy at some point, but she makes lots of good points, punctuated by examples from her own life, and the lives of her Girlfriends. It makes you realize that you are probably not crazy, and that you will most likely survive the roller coaster ride that is pregnancy. This, her first and probably best book, is a MUST READ.

Labor/Childbirth:

Active Birth - a good overview of birthing techniques, positions, and a play-by-play description of what your body is doing, what the baby is doing, etc. If you're not planning to adhere to either the Bradley or Lamaze method, but want to keep your options open...

The Birth Partner: Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman Through Childbirth - a good book for your birth partner, if s/he is willing to actualy read it. An overview of everything you're going through, and suggestions on how s/he may help you.

Breastfeeding:

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding - overall useful book, good resource for troubleshooting, with a positive "breast is best" message.

So That's What They're For - a humorous, practical, down-to-earth guide to breastfeeding. Modern, supportive, and positive once you get past the first three chapters. Entertaining, as well. Check this one out!

Pregnancy Reading List

Part 2

Baby/toddler:

The Baby Book, Everything You Need to Know about Your Baby from Birth to Age Two - from the series of books by William & Martha Sears, married couple and pediatrician and nurse. Official information on different medical and developmental topics is interspersed with anecdotes from both the medical office and their own child rearing. (They also have a pregnancy book, birth book, discipline book, breastfeeding book, fussy baby book, nutrition book, Christian parenting book, attachment parenting book, sleep book, etc.) As with most of these authors, if you like their methods, then you'll probably enjoy more than one of their books. From what I read, I identified more with the Sears methods than others. But, to each her own!

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 - this tome from the American Academy of Pediatrics is chock full of detailed information. A thorough and yet not unreadable technical medical resource. A MUST HAVE for the home library.

What to Expect in the First Year - the same organization and tone as WTEWYE, and generally considered a good resource.

The Girlfriend's Guide to the First Year - much like the first of the series, but the first few chapters are meant to be read before going into labor.

The Girlfriend's Guide to Toddlers - ditto, except for the labor part.

But where can I find them? you ask.

Amazon: Has just about everything!
Barnes & Noble: Another reliable source for these books!
Kid Surplus: You can find lots of bargains on books here!

Pregnancy Reading List

Pregnancy Reading List

(Or Read Up While You Still Have the Time!)

Pregnancy Reading List

Part 2

But where can I find them? you ask.

Find more info online!

Can't commit to one book? Read about it online.

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