The Best Pregnancy Books To Read In 2024

You know what feels amazing?

Curling up in a soft blanket, hot cup of tea in one hand and a good book in the other.

Hi, I’m Suzzie, the creator of She Births Bravely. I help thousands of moms prepare for birth every month. Between the free resources here on the blog, the step by step path to creating an empowering birth I’ve laid out for you in the She Births Bravely Birth Course, and as a doula where I get to work with moms one on one through their births - you can say I’m obsessed with helping moms work through their anxiety and fears about birth so they can create a birth they love.

I often get asked, where do I start learning about birth? With so much conflicting information out there, it can be a challenge to find reliable, trustworthy information about one of the most important days of your life.

Well, one thing I know is true is that when you have knowledge you have choices… and while I don’t believe books can replace taking a high quality birth course for your birth prep, some moms aren’t ready for that yet. 

(Did you know research published in the International Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynecology showed that 80% of moms who completed a birth course went on to have a vaginal birth. That was only true for 58%  of moms who did not take a birth course.  Not only does education matter – but so does a complete class.)

But, if you’re looking for a few books to get you started, you may be wondering , which pregnancy books are the most helpful and why?  

This is where you start! Let’s explore the best pregnancy books together!

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Pregnancy Books For First Time Moms  

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A decade ago, every new mom was handed a copy of the book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting. This book takes you through the stages of your baby’s development and what to expect during each week of pregnancy.

Unfortunately, it also reads as somewhat of a disaster guide, telling you exactly what could go wrong the whole time – and it spends very little time helping you understand how to care for yourself, and build a healthy pregnancy.

In this guide, we look are looking for the three essentials for new moms:

1. First, a month to month guide.

2. Second, empowering and realistic birth stories the respect the different paths moms choose and the different ways that birth can unfold.

3. Third, informations about labor and delivery that is presented in a non fear mongering way. Giving you tools and skills to work with contractions instead of fight them.

I hope you find what you need here!

The Best Week By Week Pregnancy Book

The Motherly Guide to Becoming Mama: Redefining the Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Journey

This book is a powerful guide to approaching pregnancy and birth with your whole heart, mind, and body. It starts with an amazing section on conception and getting pregnant. Followed with information of what happens in each month of pregnancy. And lastly, gives a strong foundation of what you need to know about birth and postpartum. Its beautiful illustrations will have you even more amazed by how powerful and beautiful your body is. 

What people are saying: “This book is really well written. It covers all the topics you need from before conception to postpartum. The topics were exactly what I was looking for. The book’s presentation & chapters made me feel relaxed & calm while being informed.”

The Best Labor Prep + Contraction Coping Book

Birthing From Within

What if preparing for birth was more than a medical event but a time of transformation, growth and self-discovery? This book will help you understand the process of birth, help you develop labor coping skills and help you find your inner strength and power along the way.

What People Are Saying: “I was given this book by my midwife. It basically tells how birth is an entirely natural process. The majority of births are more traumatic than they need to be because women are scared! It then goes through the normal concerns. You will learn how to put aside your fears to give birth as naturally as possible.

It is not unrealistic. This book does not suggest you drink herbal tea and go and live in the woods for 9 months. It is common sense advice that should have been passed from mother to daughter and has somehow got lost in amongst the gas and air and other medical interventions. I gave this book to a friend of mine who had a horrific first birth and was scared of her second. In the end, she had a short and easy labor and birth at home and she said this book was an important part of that.”

The Best Pregnancy Book For Dads

Dude! You’re Going To Be A Dad

What I love about this book is that it is not a week by week guide to pregnancy for dads – but addresses the more common anxieties and fears that Dad’s have. It also helps them move from being informed about what is happening, to knowing what to do and giving them a role in it all.

It says this on the amazon description, and I couldn’t say it better myself: “There are approximately 3,712 ways for a guy to look stupid during pregnancy – this book’s here to help you avoid all (most) of them. And here’s your first hint: Focus on what you can be doing for her rather than what’s happening to her.”

Although humorous, it is also very practical. It has tips on being supportive in labor and delivery, bonding with. baby after birth, balancing work and family life as well as how to handle financial aspects of having a baby.

What people are saying: “When my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child, I went and ordered a ton of baby books! This one stood out amongst the piles of books. My husband frequently referenced it and educated himself more deeply about what was going on with my changing body. There were many times he was able to comfort me about a small worry (ligament stretching pains for example) by mentioning something from the book.It was nice that it was both informative and light hearted. “

The Best Book To Become A Star Labor Support Person

Birth Partner 5th Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions

Some dads do not need humor or need a full life look at pregnancy and birth. Not to mention, not every family even has a dad. There are many ways to show up as the Birth Partner. If you are looking for a book to help your support person master the art of supporting you through labor – this is it.

The Birth Partner by Penny Simpkin will teach your partner everything they need to know about birth from the perspective on someone that is going to coach or be with you through the process. It is a great book if you are preparing to have your partner or spouse be your main support person through the birth experience. 

What people are saying: “Excellent book, no nonsense, to the point and complete. It works both for general reading and as a reference guide for labour. If you want to prepare for labour, this is the only book you’ll need. (Mind you, it does not deal with all of pregnancy, but rather focuses on labour (pre-, during, post-).”

Pregnancy Books That Will Help You Understand The Dynamics And Challenges Of Birthing In The 21st Century 

Birth Matters

Birth Matters by Ina May Gaskin is my absolute favorite book on birth. Not only will midwife Ina May get you totally prepared for birth, but she will help you understand why our healthcare system is so disjointed and hard to navigate. She will restore your faith in your body’s ability to birth while also giving you some very practical tools that will help you get through labor. 

What people are saying: “I am inspired by the way Ina May Gaskin fights for women’s right to have the babies they want how they want. Reading her books has helped me overcome my fear of getting pregnant again after my c-section. I have learned so much about pregnancy and childbirth from reading her books! 10 out of 10!”

The Best Book To Help You Understand The Complexities Of The Modern Birth

In a really amazing interview Dr. Neel Shah, an OBGYN and advocate for mothers, estimated that half of surgical birth could be prevented. A lot of the books, documentaries and podcasts about birth focus on these births – the ones that can be prevented.

But the other side is just as important – what about when surgery is the best and potentially only safe way to deliver? If you read Birth Matters from above, this book will also be relatable. It is particularly relevant to mos giving birth in the hospital.

A Parent’s Guide to a Safer Childbirth: Expecting the Best: Using the Power of Knowledge to Help You Deliver a Healthy Baby

Modern moms have a lot to think about when preparing for birth. The author of this book, GIna Mundy, is a lawyer who has spent decades in childbirth law. Her life has revolved around what went wrong. In this book, she unpacks practical advice about how to protect your birth from mistakes, and how and when to speak up FOR interventions (She also has some great tips that can help you stay out of the unnecessary intervention category as well).

As a doula, I really appreciate her openness and honesty from what she has learned in her career. I also appreciate how clear she is about finding the right time to intervene and not waiting too long.

What people are saying: “Mundy’s extensive expertise as an attorney specializing in childbirth cases shines through in every chapter. With over two decades of experience investigating childbirth mistakes, she brings a unique perspective to this essential guide. Her dedication to understanding the complexities of labor and delivery is evident, making this book an invaluable resource for expectant mothers.

The book doesn’t merely outline the various aspects of labor and delivery; it goes further by raising awareness of common mistakes that can occur during childbirth. By sharing lessons learned from real cases, Mundy equips readers with practical insights that can help prevent similar errors. The inclusion of “Pro Tips” for expecting mothers is a particularly useful addition, providing actionable advice to aid in well-informed decision-making.

Mundy’s commitment to learning from the past and preventing future mistakes is both commendable and inspirational. Her meticulous research and analysis of childbirth cases, combined with her firsthand interactions with healthcare professionals nationwide, have honed her expertise in the nuances of childbirth.”

Pregnancy Books To Fill Out

Are you the kind of person that likes to journal, color or interact with your books? These books are powerful ways to connect with inner emotions and track your pregnancy.

As You Grow

This is a sleek and modern approach to creating a baby book. It has places for you to journal, record milestones and save all the sweet and silly moments with your little one from pregnancy to year five. If you want a pregnancy book to fill out, this one is perfect!

What People Are Saying: “This listing does not even do this book justice: this is my first pregnancy and so I really wanted a baby book that was in-depth from beginning to end and with the modern look…. I’ve seriously never seen a more sweet baby book. This book goes all the way from a family tree, to find out about the pregnancy, milestones, first holidays, and seasons up to five years old!! It has pockets every so often and little spots for pictures. I am obsessed. The calligraphy and modern pictures are beautiful on the pages.”

Divine Birth

I am totally partial to this book because I wrote it. Divine Birth helps you find your center, and move into the more emotional and spiritual side of birth. Personally, I felt like there is already a wide array of excellent suggestions for books that will help you develop the knowledge of what happens when and what to do when during birth. However, there are few resources that help you move through the rite of passage in a way that leaves you feeling empowered, strong, and calm. This is that resource.

What people are saying: “As a pregnant mother and lover of all things birth, this book was so wonderful! I’ve enjoyed reading through and being encouraged with each page. The coloring pages for mothers are gorgeous and so cathartic to use. I’ll certainly be using this as a gift for all of the newly expecting mothers in my life!”

Sacred Pregnancy Journey Deck: Inspirational Guidance for Your Pregnancy

While technically not a book, but a set of Oracle type cards, these cards have wisdom, encouragement, and guidance that you won’t find in other places. The card deck invites women to contemplate, celebrate, and meditate every day throughout the pregnancy and beyond. The accompanying 126-page booklet book offers short but powerful explanations for the meaning of each card, encouraging expectant mothers to live with purpose and integrity while seeking clarity on any issues they may be struggling with. 

What people are saying: “I love this deck and Annie Daulter’s book, Sacred Pregnancy. I pull a card nearly every day of my pregnancy, sometimes 2; one for me and one for my baby. The pictures are beautiful, titles are awesome. And the book is easy enough, although it could be easier if the cards were numbered or if they appeared in alphabetical order in the book. Otherwise no complaints, and love the product. Great design, swift delivery” 

Pregnancy Books That Will Help You Eat Right 

It’s true that not all food is equal. It is never more important to pay attention to what you eat than when you are pregnant. These books will help you understand what your body needs at each stage of pregnancy. 

Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition

This is a groundbreaking book when it comes to nutrition and pregnancy. You will pick up dozens of ways to make your pregnancy safer for both you and your baby. If there was ONE area I think all moms needed support, it would be here. Nutrition is the easiest and quickest way to improve the safety of your birth. 

What People are saying: “The SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT book if you want to get pregnant or are already pregnant!”

Pregnancy Books For The Toddler In Your Life

Are you specifically looking to help a sibling adjust to a new baby? There are some amazing books that will help make this a special experience for your little one as well.

You We’re The First

This book is guaranteed to make you cry as you remember the first moments with your little one who is now becoming a big brother or sister. It is a great way to help your little one understand the cherished place they have in your heart and what it means to become a sibling.

What people are saying: “This is a very sweet book. I was not prepared, so I would like to warn you: you will probably cry on your first read.”

Mamas Belly

If your little one seems to have a bit of anxiety about becomming a sibling, this is just the book for them. From learning to share a lap, to understanding why mama can’t play as much as she used to, this book addresses a little ones fears and helps them embrace the changes that come with a new baby.

What people are saying: “Such a lovely, lyrical, beautifully illustrated book about waiting for a baby sibling and the questions that arise. Not in terms of anatomy or anything (my son actually corrected me when I read it and said, ‘the baby isn’t in your belly; she’s in your uterus!’) but more in terms of ‘will there be enough love to go around.’ It’s as reassuring and funny in parts as it is beautiful to look at, with new things to notice on every page. “

Where Do Babies Come From?

This board book is so fun for toddlers to read. My kids personally love this style of lift-the-flap books and can’t get enough of this one in particular. From baby kittens, caterpillars, kangaroos, and humans, this book will teach them about what babies need and how they grow. It’s a great age-appropriate introduction to a new baby.

 What peole are saying: “My 4-year-old loves this book. She used to ask where babies came from and I think this book answered a lot of her questions in an age appropriate way.”

Welcome With Love

If your toddler or small child will be at your birth, this is the book for them! This is a beautiful story of a home birth where the entire family supports the mama through labor. One of the most amazing things about this book is that it takes all of the shame and negativity out of birth and reveals how incredible this experience can be. It is a beautiful book to prepare a toddler for birth.

What people are saying: “This is a superbly illustrated book that tells the story of a homebirth in a rural setting from a child’s point of view. It is relaxed and introduces the idea of birth free from fear ~ something this culture desperately needs more of. 🙂 It truly is a joyous read, and extremely touching for those of us who have experienced this particular wonder ~ peaceful, warm, and life-changing. “

What Books Should You Be Reading During Pregnancy?

There are a million books you could read during pregnancy. The ones you should read are the ones that will address the fears and concerns you have in your particular pregnancy. I hope this list helps you find what you are looking for!

And for moms that are ready to take a childbirth class – I would be so honored to help you prepare for birth inside the She Births Bravely Birth Course.

Plus, as a new student you get 2 one hour sessions with me to review your birth plan and make sure you feel confident and capable as you move through labor.

I wish you the absolute best through your pregnancy!