No-one can deny pregnancy is one of the most all consuming, frightening, uncertain yet conversely exciting and exhilarating times of your life. Especially if it’s your first pregnancy, you’re bound to have a list of questions as long as your arm that you conveniently seem to forget every time you’re with your midwife or doctor. One of the best ways we’ve found to navigate these queries (along with a whole host of other topics that everyone seems to have an opinion on) is to do your own research and form an independent opinion of what you think is best for your own family.
One of the easiest ways to swot up is by picking up a pregnancy book! But which are actually worth reading when you’re tired and unsure whether you’ll even remember it all y the time your little one arrives? Here are our 6 best pregnancy books.
A firm favourite with many for good reason, finally a pregnancy book written by a practising midwife and mum! Marie’s honest, down to earth approach to the big questions is instantly calming and empowering. Expect to learn about what happens to your body in pregnancy and when, how to use food as fuel, the best ways to prepare for labour, what to do after birth, what you really need to know about breastfeeding and how to look after your baby AND yourself after birth! Phew, see why it’s one of the best pregnancy books?
We think this is one of the best pregnancy books because not only does it guide you all the way from conception through to the early weeks of newborn life, it’s also based all around the UK maternity system. Schiller tells you what to expect, includes clear, evidence based information and empowers you to make informed choices about your pregnancy and birth.
If you’re looking for a filter-free guide from a mum who’s been there, shit on the bed, leaked milk on the t-shirt, this is it. If you’re after a pregnancy book with as much humour and honesty as information, this is it. Don’t expect any fluffing around the edges here. Whilst that may fill some expectant mums with The Fear, others will relish the reassurance that it ain’t pretty…but it is normal and you’re not alone. Bonus: it’s basically a free pelvic floor workout.
Whether you’re planning on incorporating elements of hypnobirthing into your birth plan or not, Siobhan manages to make it accessible and relevant to all women and all births. If the prospect of giving birth fills you with dread, you need to get your hands on this.
If you’re craving no-nonsense yet realistic and compassionate advice on feeding then this is for you. It covers the emotional, financial and practical aspects of all feeding options from exclusive breastfeeding to exclusive formula feeding and everything in between without judgement.
If you’re looking for a refreshingly honest pregnancy book that you can dip in and out of throughout the trimesters and beyond, try this. Pregnancy and postnatal expert and founder of A Mother Place, Becca Maberly, teams her compassionate but frank approach with guidance from obstetrician and gynaecologist, Roger Marwood, to bring together a compilation of stories from real parents sharing the highs and lows of the unique and often nerve-wracking experience of pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.
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