There are so many books on pregnancy available. It can be overwhelming to choose from. We have done all the hard work for you. As a group, we have read at least 100 books on birth, so we polled all of our doulas and came up with this list just for you!
A Good Birth
Drawing on her landmark study involving more than one hundred mothers, a renowned ob-gyn shares the secrets to a good birth.
Most doctors think of a “good” birth only in terms of medical success. But Dr. Anne Lyerly knows firsthand that many important elements are often overlooked. Her three-year study of a diverse group of moms explored what matters most to women during childbirth. The results, presented to the public for the first time in A Good Birth, show what really matters goes beyond the clinical outcome or even the usual questions of hospital versus birthing center, and reveal universal needs of women, like the importance of feeling connected, safe, and respected.
The book’s wisdom is drawn from in-depth interviews with women with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, and whose birth stories range from quick and simple to complicated and frightening. Describing what went well, what didn’t, and what they’d do differently next time, these mothers give voice to the complete experience of childbirth, helping both women and their healthcare providers develop strategies to address the emotional needs of the mother, going beyond the standard birth plans and conversations. Transcending the “medical” versus “natural” childbirth debate, A Good Birth turns our attention to the crucial question of what makes the best birth possible.
Black Pregnant and Loving it
The Only Month-By-Month Pregnancy Guide for Black Women
Let’s face it: Not all pregnancies are created equal. African American women are at a higher risk for complications such as hypertension, asthma and preterm birth. That’s why Dr. Suzanne Greenidge-Hewitt and Yvette Allen-Campbell wrote this must-have pregnancy guide for women of color.
Suzanne has over 26 years of experience as a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, and Yvette is a leader in education. Together they walk you through the multiple stages of pregnancy, advise on how to best avoid common health issues and dispel rumors, all with authority and personality. With month-by-month overviews, soul food recipes beneficial to pregnant women, checklists for doctor visits, a play-by-play of delivery options and even tips for keeping the romance alive, this book has everything you’ll need for the next 9 months and beyond.
With all your questions answered and all your fears laid to rest, Black, Pregnant and Loving It will allow you to enjoy your pregnancy and go on to deliver the beautiful baby you’ve been waiting for.
Hypnobirthing
HypnoBirthing® has gained momentum around the globe as a positive and empowering method of childbirth. Here’s why: HypnoBirthing helps women to become empowered by developing an awareness of the instinctive birthing capability of their bodies. It greatly reduces the pain of labor and childbirth; frequently eliminates the need for drugs; reduces the need for caesarian surgery or other doctor-controlled birth interventions; and it also shortens birthing and recovery time, allowing for better and earlier bonding with the baby, which has been proven to be vital to the mother-child bond. What’s more, parents report that their infants sleep better and feed more easily when they haven’t experienced birth trauma.
HypnoBirthing founder Marie Mongan knows from her own four births that it is not necessary for childbirth to be a terribly painful experience. In this book she shows women how the Mongan Method works and how parents they can take control of the greatest and most important event of their lives.
So, why is birth such a traumatic event for so many women? And why do more than 40% of births now end in caesarian section, the highest percentage in history? The answer is simple: because our culture teaches women to fear birth as a painful and unsettling experience. Fear causes three physical reactions in the body―tightening of the muscles, reduced blood flow to the birthing muscles, and the release of certain hormones―which increase the pain and discomfort of childbirth. This is not hocus-pocus this is science.
The Natural Pregnancy
Every mother wants the best for her unborn child, from the baby’s conception to birth. What’s more, every mother wants clear, straightforward information delivered in a calm, empowering voice from someone who knows the facts. Enter Dr. Aviva Jill Romm, an expert in natural childbirth with more than twenty years of experience in both alternative and allopathic medicine. In this newly revised third edition, Dr. Romm takes a holistic approach, emphasizing natural remedies wherever possible and providing up-to-date advice on herbs that promote wellness during pregnancy, and alleviate such familiar concerns as anxiety, fatigue, morning sickness, and stretch marks. With tips for a nutritious diet, exercise and posture, and information on the emotional and physical changes that childbearing brings, The Natural Pregnancy Book is your comprehensive guide to a safe, healthy pregnancy, as nature intended it.
Waiting for Bebe
“Waiting for Bebe” will deal with the unique concerns, both physiological and cultural, that Hispanic women face during pregnancy. In addition to the increased risk of gestational diabetes, Latinas also must be aware of their increased risks for developing hypertension, gallbladder disease, tuberculosis, rubella, obesity, and depression, all of which, if left undiagnosed at the time of pregnancy, can have devastating effects on the unborn child. “Waiting for Bebe” not only will address these specific health concerns, but will also explore the rich cultural traditions and myths surrounding pregnancy in Hispanic culture.
Birthing From Within
Here is a holistic approach to childbirth that examines this profound rite-of-passage not as a medical event but as an act of self-discovery. Exercises and activities such as journal writing, meditation, and painting will help mothers analyze their thoughts and face their fears during pregnancy. For use during birth, the book offers proven techniques for coping with labor pain without drugs, a discussion of the doctor or midwife’s role, and a look at the father’s responsibilities. Childbirth education should also include what to expect after the baby is born. Here are baby basics, such as how to bathe a newborn, how to get the little one to sleep, and tips for getting nursing off to a good start. Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a process of continuous learning and adjustment; Birthing From Within provides the necessary support and education to make each phase of birthing a rewarding experience.
Birth Partner
Since the original publication of The Birth Partner, new mothers’ partners, friends, and relatives and doulas (professional birth assistants) have relied on Penny Simkin’s guidance in caring for the new mother from the last few weeks of pregnancy through the early postpartum period. The Birth Partner remains the definitive guide for preparing to help a woman through childbirth. The essential manual to have at hand during the event.
This completely updated edition includes thorough information on:Preparing for labor and knowing when it has begun; Normal labor and how to help the woman every step of the way; Epidurals and other medications for labor; Non-drug techniques for easing labor pain; Cesarean birth and complications that may require it; Breastfeeding and newborn care; And much more.For the partner who wishes to be truly helpful in the birthing room, this book is indispensable.
*Book descriptions are form Amazon or Abe books
