Books on Pregnancy and Childbirth – Top 7 Most Popular and Useful Works

The days when information on proper preparation for motherhood needed to be found in women’s magazines, gathered from conversations with more experienced older friends or close ones, or obtained from answers given by a leading pregnancy gynecologist are long gone. Today, essential information about what is happening and what will occur during this period in a woman’s life can be gleaned from numerous books on pregnancy by both domestic and foreign authors.

They are available in regular bookstores or can be ordered online. Reading books during pregnancy is also a way to relax and unwind, gain positive emotions, and acquire a positive mindset, which are so important for a woman in this state. However, before purchasing, it is worth having an understanding of what exactly the specific work narrates about and during which period of carrying a baby it is most beneficial to read.

Why You Should Read Books from the TOP-7

The coveted strips usually evoke a storm of emotions in a woman, raise a lot of questions that she wants to get answers to in a timely manner. Expectant mothers who consciously anticipate motherhood understand that it’s necessary to prepare for it physically, morally, psychologically, and emotionally. Books on pregnancy and childbirth, which illuminate different aspects of the preparatory period associated with carrying a child, can become the best assistants in this.

Books for moms are written by psychologists, gynecologists, pediatricians, and even women who have gone through the path of motherhood from conception to their child’s first steps and first school grades. Among the top authors of books on pregnancy and childbirth, there are also men who are well-versed in the intricacies of the psychology and physiology of pregnant women. Even at the stage of preparing for pregnancy, books can become the best advisor and guide to action.

“Baby, Are You Coming Soon?” – How to Become Parents

There is no better advertisement than the recommendations of the well-known pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky for a book on pregnancy and preparation for it. In the TOP books – “Baby, Are You Coming Soon?” by obstetrician-gynecologist Elena Berezovskaya. This is exactly what he advises everyone to read, whether they have plans in the near or distant future to fulfill the dream of becoming parents. 

On the pages of the pregnancy book, an experienced doctor answers many questions related to, for example, how to get pregnant quickly, how much time is usually needed, and what to do if pregnancy does not occur. They also offer advice on what to do to conceive a healthy baby. For couples with conception difficulties, the author suggests solutions to reproductive issues for both women and men, and what types of treatments are available. Thanks to this book, they will be better prepared for pregnancy and increase their chances of achieving it.

“280 Days Until Your Birth” – The First Months

You can start reading Katerina Vestre’s book “280 Days Before Your Birth: A Report on What You Forgot While at the Epicenter” as soon as a woman realizes she will become a mother. It ranks highly in lists of must-read books during pregnancy. The author views motherhood from an unconventional perspective, revealing previously unknown nuances of fetal development. 

For example, that humans once had tails, webbing between fingers, and the dimple above the upper lip appeared because they initially resembled fish, with the brain completing its development at the final stage. Vestre delves deeply into the living organism, analyzing the pregnancy process at the cellular level. To engage the reader, she addresses them as if they are an embryo within the mother’s body at the moment of reading. 

“9 Months of Happiness. A Handbook for Pregnant Women”

The best choice for reading in the first trimester is another book by obstetrician-gynecologist Elena Berezovska. This mini-textbook on obstetrics, written in an easy-to-understand language, answers questions such as what to eat during acute toxicosis, whether to fear uterine hypertonus, how to boost hemoglobin, and if vitamin intake is necessary. The book about pregnancy and childbirth helps alleviate numerous fears, avoid unnecessary medications, and calmly get through one of the most important periods in life. 

Pregnancy doesn’t always go smoothly, and doctors often tend to over-diagnose. In her guidebook, the author debunked the main myths and diagnoses that are most frequently given to pregnant women. Her surprising advice is to understand the fundamental idea that modern medicine cannot effectively deal with the threat of miscarriage, and all the medications attempted by doctors are ineffective.

“How to Carry and Give Birth to a Healthy Baby” by Clemmie Hooper 

This book on pregnancy, also known as “A Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth from a Midwife’s Perspective,” is written by a professional who is also a mother of four. You can read it during the first or second trimester or right before childbirth – here future mothers will find extremely comprehensive information about all stages of pregnancy. 

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From the moment when the fetus is the size of a strawberry to choosing a birth plan that is suitable for this specific woman. Here, everyone can find answers to pressing questions about:

• the risk of alcohol consumed before a positive pregnancy test;
• overcoming the effects of hormonal changes and emotional swings;
• the importance of a positive attitude and physical exercise. 

Among other things, the author will explain how to eat properly, why it is so important to take folic acid and iron, what to expect from the first ultrasound, and when you can find out the baby’s gender.

“What to Expect When You’re Expecting”

The authors of one of the most sought-after books on pregnancy and childbirth, Sharon Mazel and Heidi Murkoff, have gathered practical medical advice for mothers who are soon to see their baby for the first time. They provide answers to questions that often concern expectant mothers. This bestseller can be read during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. 

The authors explain in accessible language what to do if morning sickness becomes routine or if incontinence appears. Women wonder whether they can eat sushi or drink wine during pregnancy, how childbirth goes, and they can find information on these topics in the book. During pregnancy, expectant mothers read the book, and the advice contained in it is also for future fathers. The central theme of the authors is that pregnancy is a challenging period for the whole family. However, it is precisely this time that allows for preparation for the new status and to strengthen relationships. 

“Childbirth Without Fear”. Grantly Dick-Read

It is advisable to start reading the book after reaching the 35-week mark to maintain the right mindset until the first contractions. The author of this useful book for expectant mothers unequivocally states that the best remedy for the fear of childbirth is to thoroughly study the process, prepare an approximate behavior algorithm, and an action plan. The work of British obstetrician Dick-Read, which was a true revolution in the world of obstetrics at the time, describes in detail how, if not to enjoy childbirth, then at least to make it as natural and painless as possible. 

The ‘Father of Natural Childbirth’ introduces extremely simple breathing techniques for each stage, which are easy to remember. Most importantly, he believes it is essential to remember that childbirth is not something measured in hours or minutes. It is important to rely on your body, and be confident in a successful delivery.

‘French Kids Don’t Throw Food’ 

Pamela Druckerman reveals ‘Parenting Secrets from Paris’ that can be read even in the delivery room to lift your spirits. Reading books during pregnancy allows you to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills, choose the right course of action, and prepare for childbirth. This is not entirely a book about pregnancy, but rather about its triumphant conclusion – happy motherhood. Now it is already very close and tangible. 

Thus, a work written in a light and humorous style by an American who moved to Paris is a great opportunity to relax with helpful and funny advice before diving into serious work – childbirth. She suggests embarking on the journey of motherhood with the French conviction that there is no reason to fret over a child’s whims, and that being a very good mother doesn’t mean being a servant to your children.

Useful books that didn’t make the TOP-7

Besides the universally recognized favorites that made it into the top seven, there are many other books that are very beneficial and enjoyable to read during pregnancy. Once all the iconic books about pregnancy and childbirth are read, questions that were more pressing than others are answered, and the birth plan and scenario are composed and even meticulously worked out, you can look slightly ahead. 

And read about the problems and questions that arise immediately after the baby is born and in the first, most challenging year of life. Here are some helpful works:

• Fedor Katasanov’s “Fediatrics,” which addresses questions that concern many parents, such as how to choose a good pediatrician, why vaccinations are necessary, and how to strengthen the immune system.
• Lyudmila Petranovskaya’s “The Secret Support,” which tells about different stages of childhood and forming a strong foundation of personality based on the attachment between children and parents.

The Benefits of Reading During Pregnancy

Reading books during pregnancy has many positive aspects. Besides obtaining useful and necessary information on all issues of carrying a child and the birth process, books about pregnancy set the appropriate mood, helping women learn to cope with emotional fluctuations, and have a calming effect on the psyche.

Reading books during pregnancy can be done while walking, by downloading the text onto a tablet or phone. Some prefer reading paper versions of books, which are now easy to buy in very small formats that easily fit into a regular handbag. In any case, the books that make the TOP list will become a pregnant woman’s best friend and advisor during this wonderful but challenging period of her life.