Just a Few Pregnancy Books I Read

This feature is for short reviews, reviews of books in a series where it might feel repetitive, or (as Michelle suggested) books I was too lazy to write a “real” review for. Today’s books I read early in my pregnancy.

As any bookworm will do, when I found out I was pregnant, I pretty much immediately hit the books. I had questions and I expected books to have the answers. Some did a better job than others preparing me. My pregnancy reading could be divided into 3 phases – learning about being pregnant, learning about giving birth, learning about having a newborn. So these are the books from phase 1.

50 Things to Do Before You Deliver: The First Time Moms Pregnancy Guide by Jill Krause, Sara A. Robert MD
on March 20, 2018
Genres: Self-Help
Pages: 260
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Goodreads

While your body is doing the important work of growing your baby, 50 Things to Do Before You Deliver nails down exactly what to do to prepare for your little one’s big debut.

First-time moms have plenty to be grateful for —and plenty to worry about. Centered on what’s most important to expecting moms, 50 Things to Do Before You Deliver narrows the vast field of pregnancy advice to 50 specific, proactive steps for confidence and peace of mind before baby arrives. Unlike other pregnancy books for first time moms, this book includes only what is necessary and helpful, and leaves out the rest. Written by Jill Krause—creator of the award-winning pregnancy blog, Baby Rabies, and mom of four—50 Things to Do Before You Deliver arms moms-to-be with actionable advice and tools that are actually useful.

Voiced with honesty, humor, and encouragement from a mom who’s been there, 50 Things to Do Before You Deliver offers:

50 trimester-by-trimester tasks covering only the most important things expectant moms need to focus on Relevant, creative tips for using tech to track, document, and learn about pregnancy Judgment-free advice from other moms, OB-GYNs, and midwives—including guest contributions from Amy Morrison of the blog Pregnant Chicken, and Bryn Huntpalmer of The Birth Hour podcast
There are countless pregnancy books for first time moms out there—but 50 Things to Do Before You Deliver is a practical guide that will empower and prepare you during pregnancy and beyond.

This book appealed to the list maker in me. Make a check list of things to do and suddenly I feel better. Well, perhaps if I had found the book earlier in my pregnancy I would have liked it better. I did read it when I was already 6 months pregnant, so a lot of the things it said to do, I had already done, many earlier than the author recommended. But for the most part, it’s a list of pretty common sense things that you probably would do anyway. It was nice to have reminders of things I needed to do though and some strategies for accomplishing them. Overall, this book would be best for early in pregnancy, when you haven’t already soaked up a ton of info from friends and apps and other books, because then it would be way more useful. On the plus, it is a Kindle Unlimited read, so it was a free read for me!

The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine
Published by Gallery Books on January 9, 2007
Genres: Self-Help
Pages: 255
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Goodreads

The practical, comforting, honest, and hilarious bestseller for moms-to-be, with more than one and a half million copies in print!

Your doctor gives you medical advice. Your mother buys you baby clothes. But who can give you the real skinny when you’re pregnant?

Your girlfriends, of course—at least, the ones who’ve been through the exhilaration and exhaustion, the agony and ecstasy of pregnancy. Four-time delivery room veteran Vicki Iovine talks to you the way only a best friend can—in the book that will go the whole nine months for every mother-to-be. In this revised and updated edition, get the lowdown on all those little things that are too strange or embarrassing to ask, practical tips, and hilarious takes on everything pregnant.

What really happens to your body—from morning sickness and gas to eating everything in sight—and what it’s like to go from being a babe to having one.

The Many Moods of Pregnancy—why you’re so irritable/distracted/tired/lightheaded (or at least more than usual).

Staying Stylish—You may be pregnant, but you can still be the fashionista you’ve always been (or at least you don’t have to look like a walking beachball)—wearing the hippest designers and proudly showing off your bump.

Pregnancy is Down To a Science—from in vitro fertilization to scheduled c-sections, there are so many options, alternatives, and scientific tests to take that being pregnant can be downright confusing!

And much more! For a reassuring voice or just a few good belly laughs, turn to this straight-talking guide on what to really expect when you’re expecting.

This was the first book I picked up during my pregnancy and I think it was the right one. The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy took the edge off of my pregnancy stress. As someone who tried to get pregnant for 8 years, when I finally got that positive test result the stress and worry about doing everything perfect came flying in. So a book like this that is funny and doesn’t take itself to seriously was just what the doctor ordered

Overall I enjoyed the way the author was really blunt about the realities of pregnancy – she doesn’t sugar coat things. She’s writing from the POV, however, of a woman who reinforces certain 1950s female roles. Her obsession with appearance and the way she talks about husband-wife relationships bugged me, and it completely excludes women who are pregnant and are single or in same-sex relationships. So, not the perfect book. I wish someone a little bit more “woke” would write a book with the same blunt humor she does and then we’d have the perfect book.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, And The Newborn (2016-5Th Edition) by Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley, Ann Keppler, Janelle Durham, April Bolding
Published by Da Capo Press on March 29, 2016
Genres: Self-Help
Pages: 512
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Goodreads

If you only buy one pregnancy book, this should be the one! It’s the most complete. It covers all aspects of childbearing, from conception through early infancy, and tells you what to expect. It offers detailed information, suggestions on decisions to make, and advice on steps to take to have a safe and satisfying experience.

The Award-Winning Resource Recommended by Experts & Loved by Parents

Parents love this book
because it puts them in control by explaining a wide range of options, information, and questions to ask, so parents can find what works best for their health situation, personal goals, and priorities.

Experts love this book
because it’s based on the latest medical research and recommendations from leading health organizations. It’s practical—rooted in the real-life experiences of new families. The five authors bring a combined total of 150 years of experience working with expectant and new families as educators, nurses, counselors, doulas, physical therapists, and lactation consultants. They have attended hundreds of births, heard thousands of birth stories, and assisted innumerable new parents in adapting to their new lives. Not only that, the authors have a combined total of 12 children and 12 grandchildren. All of this experience allows them to write with compassion, understanding, and wisdom based on what really works in the real-world of parenting.

The companion website
offers even more details on select subjects, including lists of all the best resources on each topic and worksheets to guide parents’ decision-making process. The website also includes a bonus chapter on pre-conception, which provides ways to improve your health and fertility before pregnancy begins.

This book was a gradual read for me, because it breaks down what’s going on with your body and your baby by the month. So, as I was getting ready to enter a new month I would pick it up and read about that month… up until around month 7. Then I decided it was time to just finish the book. I liked getting all the medical, health information presented in very small, digestible bites like that. It’s fascinating to know what’s going on with your body – and baby – and it also helps to explain some of the crazy things your feeling. I would definitely recommend this one to someone who just wants some basic fact about being pregnant and how to be healthy while pregnant.

Berls is sharing Just a Few Pregnancy Books she read during the first phase of her pregnancy. Have you read them? Share on X

Related Posts