Preparing for a New Baby: Top 10 Pregnancy Books to Read!

Looking for the best parenting and pregnancy books? You’ve come to the right place, mama!

It’s a magical moment when you first discover that you’re pregnant, but the 9 months leading up to the birth can be an emotional rollercoaster. Whether or not you’re a first-time mama, it’s natural to feel worried or stressed when preparing for the arrival of a new baby – but don’t worry, we’re here to help you prep with our selection of Sassy Mama’s Top 10 Pregnancy Books! Go on, give ’em a read!

1. Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy: From Doctors Who Are Parents, Too!
Expectant mothers who appreciate accurate and reliable information about pregnancy based on medical knowledge – look no further! This heavy-duty book may seem daunting initially but is in fact one of the most comprehensive baby books out there. Written by medical professionals, the guide includes practical advice on how to make informed decisions when selecting a healthcare provider, prenatal testing options, birthing methods, etc. It also explains any discomforts or potential complications that one may experience over the course of pregnancy and how to deal with them. All in all, this 500-page book will provide you with all the knowledge and reassurance that you will need, making it a must-have on your reading list!

Find it: Available from www.amazon.com for $20.74

2. The Baby Bump: 100s of Secrets to Surviving Those 9 Long Months
So perhaps a baby book chocked full of scientific terminology isn’t for you. In that case, you may find this bright and colourful book which covers all the basics much more appealing. Containing advice from both experts and real mums, The Baby Bump is a great choice if you’re looking for a fun read that is equally informative. Each chapter in the book covers one month of your pregnancy and includes a to-do list, what to expect, and thoughts you may be having plus additional guides that may be useful. It also includes some functional tables which can be used to record the baby’s activity after birth such as his or her sleeping and feeding pattern, making it an even more attractive option.

Find it: Available from www.amazon.com for $19.07

3. Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong — and What You Really Need to Know
Written by an economist (and super smart mama) at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, this book stirred controversy when it came out in 2014 and suggested that guidelines around alcohol in pregnancy might be overblown. All author Emily Oster does is take a closer look at research to draw common sense conclusions; she addresses everything from statistics around miscarriage, to the real risk of eating sushi, to the effects of doulas and home births. It sounds dry, but it’s not — it’s full of facts and absolutely fascinating! Best of all, she addresses the reader like an intelligent adult, which we did not find to be the norm in a sea of cutesy pregnancy books.

 Find it: Available from www.amazon.com for $12.35

4. Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad! How to Get (Both of You) Through the Next 9 Months
Like many expectant mothers, soon-to-be dads often feel equally anxious and helpless. Since it is undeniable that your partner plays a huge part in making the 9-month period as comfortable for you as possible, this book makes a valuable addition to your pregnancy library. Writing from personal experience, Pfeiffer offers advice on how a father-to-be can participate in the remarkable journey of becoming a parent – from dealing with morning sickness to painting the nursery and more. A comparatively lighter read (real talk: one of our husbands couldn’t get through it for all the dumbed down “dudes” and “bros” language), it’s at the very least a nice bonding activity before the baby arrives and turns your world upside down!

 Find it: Available from www.amazon.com for $10.67

5. Giggle Guide to Baby Gear
Catered mostly towards first-time parents, this is a helpful guide on how to go about shopping for things that both the expectant mother and arriving baby will need. In a nutshell, the guide approaches the topic with a no-nonsense attitude and teaches expectant parents about everything gear-related by explaining the various options available while offering practical advice – most importantly, on the issue of safety. Additionally, the guide takes the factor of your family’s lifestyle into consideration, allowing you to find the most suitable products. By reading this book, you will be able to make well-informed decisions on what products you will need and should buy.

Find it: Available at www.amazon.com for $4

6. Primal Moms Look Good Naked: A Mother’s Guide to Achieving Beauty through Excellent Health
Everyone knows the importance of eating healthy, especially when you’re eating for two. Author Peggy Emch not only covers essential pregnancy nutrition, she also digs deeper with facts and research about foods to boost fertility, stay lean, and keep stretch marks and varicose veins (every pregnant mama’s worst nightmare!) at bay. It’s a bit offbeat compared to traditional recipe books, but makes for a quick and informative read.

 Find it: Available at www.amazon.com for $25

7. The Only Baby Book You’ll Ever Need: A Parent’s Guide to Everything!
The Only Baby Book You’ll Ever Need is one that all expectant parents (Yes, you too, Dads!) should take a look at. With fewer details on the actual pregnancy period and focusing more on the postpartum period, it answers all your questions that may come up when you’re caring for your newborn. There is a whole chapter dealing with situations that may immediately arise after the birth, followed by very comprehensive chapters dedicated to all the essentials of caring for the little one – feeding, sleeping, bowel issues and bath time. There is also one very unique chapter on how to understand your baby, an area currently unexplored in the baby books genre. All in all, this is an indispensable resource for the preparation of your baby’s arrival.

Find it: Available at www.amazon.com for $15.92

8. The Second Baby Survival Guide: How to Stay Calm and Enjoy Life with a New Baby and a Toddler
Some of you expectant mums out there are lucky enough to already have one or more little one(s). With a new family member on the way, you may experience new concerns, making this a great guide. A parenting classic written by a mother of four boys, this particular baby book is a compilation of pragmatic advice on how to deal with a new baby. It offers a comprehensive guide on things like how to introduce the new baby to its older sibling, reorganising your daily routine around the children, as well as tackling undesirable behaviour resulting from sibling rivalry. This survival guide will offer all the helpful solutions and reassurance you need.

Find it: Available at www.amazon.com for $3.32

9. The Headspace Guide to…a Mindful Pregnancy
Earlier this year we chatted with Headspace founder (and this book’s author) Andy Puddicombe about how mindfulness can help pregnant and new parents alleviate stress and improve their bonds with each other and their baby. Pregnancy presents a rollercoaster of emotions for mamas at the best of times, and this book can really help them make sense of everything they’re experiencing. Covering everything from the stress of trying to get pregnant, to using meditation in childbirth, to confronting the absolute terror of bringing baby home from the hospital, it’s a lovely companion to have along your pregnancy journey.

Find it: Available at www.amazon.com for $18

10. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
Author Ina May Gaskin is known as “the mother of authentic midwifery” and is one of the leading proponents of natural birth in the United States. Along with her books on babies and breastfeeding, the Guide to Childbirth empowers mamas with knowledge and techniques to ease their anxiety around labour and delivery. It’s obviously very pro-natural birth, at times anti-hospital, and somewhat hippy-dippy in tone, but it’s also filled with wisdom and common sense that will serve even the most medicine-oriented mama.

Find it: Available at www.amazon.com for $13.50

Hopefully, these books will help ease some of the stress and help prepare you for the exciting months ahead!