The Pregnancy Reading List

So far, anyway...

 

BIRTH-FOCUSED:

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin (This is a must-read-- seriously amazing.)

Active Birth, by Janet Balaskas (also great)

Natural Hospital Birth, by Cynthia Gabriel

A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, by Henci Goer

 

GENERAL:

Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Newborn, by Patty Simkin, et al

The Baby Book, by William Sears and Martha Sears (This one's gotta-have.)

Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives, by Deepak Chopra

From the Hips, by Rebecca Odes and Ceridwen Morris

 

FOR A LITTLE HUMOR:

Pregnancy Sucks, by Joanne Kimes

Belly Laughs, by Jenny McMarthy

 

CHILD DEVELOPMENT:

Becoming Attached, by Robert Karen (This book isn't what I was expecting-- it's more a history of attachment theory than a how-to on attachment, but it's riveting.)

 

PARENTING:

Momma Zen, by Karen Maezen Miller (I loved this book-- it's beautiful and inspiring.)

 

I've got a whole stack of books to go, so I'll fill you in as I read...

Comments

[BB - Single Mom 2B]

Wow! Thanks for the great list! You've read all of these? I'm so impressed!!

[Christi]

Speaking of attachment.. I have a Moby wrap that I would love for you to have (if you're interested, of course). I hauled Charlotte all over the place with it for just over a year. It also really saved my back, and was a blessing when it was time to nurse. Here's a link to the design of the wrap (only difference is the wrap itself is black, and the print is a maroonish-red. http://www.mobywrap.com/p-214-designs.aspx

I washed it only in Dreft (no fabric softener, EVER!!) Let me know if you're interested!

PS - your reading list put me to shame. I thumbed through "What to Expect When You're Expecting." OH YEAH!!! If you're planning to breastfeed, a great resource is "The Nursing Mother's Companion," which I would be more than happy to send to you as well.

[Heather]

More suggestions for the little one:

Baby 411 and The Portable Pediatrician
-- Practical advice for real parents. The Portable Pediatrician is written by a British pediatrician who is slightly sarcastic and irreverent. Used both of these profusely in the first couple of years.

AVOID: The Baby Book by Dr. Sears

I threw it out because I realized it was amplifying my PPD by insinuating that anyone who doesn't do attachment parenting and breastfeeding full-stop is messing with their child's development/future. As the mom of a preemie with issues, it was not possible for us to do it.

And with all your reading, the lesson to take away: THERE IS NO "RIGHT" WAY! No matter what the experts say about whatever the topic, you and your kid will have to work it out for yourself.

[Libby Dougan]

An oldie but a goody regarding attachment: The Human Significance of the Skin- by Ashley Montague. 1971 Excellent physicalparenting information from an anthropologist...

[Chelsea Leis]

A little sense of humor is always good. Pregnancy is a serious matter, but it can also be fun and exciting. Especially for first-time moms, reading on what to expect during pregnancy would be helpful. The books you suggested on pregnancy humor sound interesting.