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June 2011 Moms
POLL: Your Pregnancy Bookshelf
I'm an information hoarder, and love to know what other people are reading. So, tell me, what's on your pregnancy bookshelf? Titles and authors are helpful, plus any commentary you want to provide.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: POLL: Your Pregnancy Bookshelf
Melissa's pregnancy bookshelf:
"Mayo Clinic Guide toa Healthy Pregnancy"
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book! Explains medical procedures in clear terms without talking down to the reader and has this awesome section call "decision guides" that helped DH and I have some good discussions.
"What to Expect When You're Expecting" by Heidi Murkoff
Loved it at first, am pretty much over it now. The "hey girlfriend!" language gets old after a while, and I feel like the author basically describes all pregnant women as selfish, whiny and miserable. Plus, there is more information on pooping (mommy's pooping, that is) than there is on the baby's development.
"Brain Rules for Baby" by John Medina
Only a couple chapters in, but am loving this book about how to provide the best environment for baby's intellectual development. Especially loved the chapter on how your marriage affects your baby, and vice versa. Gave DH and I a good jumping off point to discuss our expectations of one another after the baby arrives.
"Consumer Reports Best Baby Products"
Excellent guide for the needs and wants when it comes to stocking up for baby. Honest reviews of safety and functionality. Could use better pricing information.
"The Baby Name Wizard" by Laura Wattenberg
A very cool take on choosing a name. Love that it has "sibling names" afer each entry. That way, if one of us poo-poos a name the other one likes, it's easy to find something similar that maybe both of us like.
Jacob and Melissa | Sept. 3, 2007 | Riviera Maya, Mexico
My Knot Bio | My Nest Bio
My friend got me what to expect when expecting.
I have to say, it's not my favorite. My favorite part is reading about the development each week and that stuff is so easily found online. I find it a little alarmist and I don't like things that try to make you overly cautious. I also find the layout tough, because things I was experiencing the 3rd month aren't addressed until the 5th.
My other friend got me the Girlfriends Guide to pregnancy
I've enjoyed reading it so far, it's less reference book and more conversational, but I'm not sure how much I've learned.
I got my husband The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips and Advice for Dads to be
He's in like month 2, so not really keeping up, but part of the reason I'm frustrated with my other 2 books is because he keeps coming to ask me questions about stuff that mine haven't even addressed. So it seems to have good information.
Yes, I have a blog and it's hilarious (except when it's not)
What to expect (my husband has probably read this more than I have!)
Your Pregnancy Week by Week, Glade Curtis
Your Pregnancy and Birth (American College of OBGYN's. This is the one the Dr gave me. Definitely not as cutesy, more just the straight facts.)
So That's What They're For! Janet Tamaro. (Really funny breastfeeding guide)
Belly Laughs, Jenny Mccarthy
ETA - Baby Bargains! Duh!
Your Pregnancy Week by Week, by Judith Schuler
Of all the pregnancy books that I have (Mayo Clinic, What to Expect When You're Expecting) this is my favorite. It is really on target with the strange things that have gone on that week, and has a nice what is going on with the baby and what is going on with you week by week layout. I like that I can read it a bit at a time and get exactly what I need for the week.
You Having a Baby, by Dr. Oz and Michael Roizen
This book provided different information about pregnancy and taking care of yourself. I really enjoyed reading it. This is sort of a "how things work" along with a "how you can use this knowledge to take care of yourself and the baby". So really the information to make the right choices and decisions about taking care of yourself (and the kiddo).
Baby Bargains, by Denise Fields
I cannot wait until the next version comes out in spring. It has been a total asset to researching what we need to get in all the madness of baby stores. Which brands to look at, which brands to stay away from. Its just nice to know a bit more about the big items (like cribs, strollers, carseats, highcharis, etc.). I've used it a ton. I have it on my kindle, and as a result always have easy access to it on my phone (through the kindle app). I look at this book daily.
I checked that one out from the library (Girlfirend's Guide...), and I'm glad that I didn't buy it. Though in some ways it was funny, I didn't find it very informational nor did I really like some of the advice that it gave (I'm playing things conservative so the you need to look beautiful go ahead and dye your hair bit, take care of yourself first rubbed me the wrong way. It wasn't just the hair, it was quite a bit of the laid back attitude towards the "its ok to do this, they don't really know"). Anyways, it wasn't my favorite, in the least.
I have read...
"Belly Laughs" by Jenny McCarthy - Thought it was hilarious. It's more of a fun read than informational, short and sweet. But it does let you know you are not alone!
"Baby Bargain" by Denise Fields - Great book about products. Loved reading it, finished rather quickly for me. Although I have opted not to follow thier advice on everything.
Am reading....
"What to expect, when you're expecting" by Heidi Murkoff - It's okay, I can only manage to get myself to read a chapter at a time.
Plan to read....
"Baby Laughs" - By Jenny McCarthy
"Baby 411" - By Denise Fields
and some more that I am still trying to figure out.
My favorite so far is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. She's an old-school hippie midwife who does a great job of addressing a lot of the myths and fears associated with childbirth with the overall theme is your body is made to give birth.
I've also read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by the La Leche League. It has answered a lot of questions I've had about breastfeeding, although I think it will make more sense once I actually have the baby.
The Pregnancy Book: A Month-by-Month Guide by William Sears is a nice overall guide to pregnancy. It has much of the same info as every other pregnancy guide out there, but it takes a more physiologically normal view of childbirth, even though it addresses topics like pain relief during labor.
I've got:
Your Pregnancy Week by Week
Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy- My SIL got this for me and I love it. I think its hilarious. Its not supposed to be a "what to expect" kind of book, more like Belly Laughs in just some entertaining pregnancy related reading.
Baby Bargains
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Happiest Baby on the Block
Exactly! I bought the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy and Baby's First Year hardback when I was pregnant w/ DS. (Unfortunately, our dog ate it right before DS was born! =/) But I did re-buy the Pregnancy book in paperback... I loved this book so much.
Conversely, I HATED "What to Expect." I tried reading it when I was pregnant w/ DS, and just couldn't choke it down. I don't like her "style."
Other amazing books:
"Belly Laughs" and "Baby Laughs" - by Jenny McCarthy.
I laughed so hard I peed... I won't even lie. They're not so much informational as they are just a good read to keep your spirits up. Great for when you're having a bad/rough day!
"My Boys Can Swim: A Guy's Guide to Pregnancy" - by Ian Davis.
I bought this for my husband... and ended up reading it for myself... it puts it into a good perspective men who just don't "get it." And it's kinda funny. (I'm big on stuff that has humor in it, can you tell?! lol)
"Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mothers' Soul"
Speaks for itself. Happy stories, sad stories, crazy stories, funny stories...
"She's Having a Baby, and I'm Having a Breakdown"- by James D. Barron
Another one for men, that I got for my hubby...but I read it nonetheless. (I like the other perspective!)
"100 Healthiest Foods to Eat During Pregnancy: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What to Eat While You are Expecting" by Jonny Bowden
Self explanatory.
I'm going to be borrowing a couple of books from a friend on Natural Birth... but I don't have them/haven't read them yet. Can't wait!
I only have What to Expect...I don't really read it in order though...I just go to the glossary at the back to look for whatever it is I'm wondering about.
The Quebec government also provides a really useful book for free to anyone who's expecting (discusses pregnancy from conception through to the first few months with good info on eating, nursing,etc.)
Aside from that I have no pregnancy books...There is so much information online.
oh gosh! i read so many of these when i was pregnant last time.
what to expect when you're expecting: okay.
idiot's guide to pregnancy: comparable to what to expect.
mayo clinic guide: i liked this one better than the previous two because it was more informative and included a broader range of information. of the general information books that i read, this is the one i would recommend.
your pregnancy week by week: it was a fun ritual to read this every week, but i did not like the author's attitude.
belly laughs: i hated this book. yes, pregnancy isn't glamorous, but it's not *that* bad. when you're preparing for a natural birth, you have to think positive, and this book really wasn't helpful for that.
girlfriend's guide: i liked this book a little more than belly laughs, but not much. again, i felt it was geared to a different sort of mother.
pushed: this is a good read for someone interested in natural childbirth and how frequently interventions are performed in modern hospitals. very informative, but a little scary.
the thinking woman's guide to pregnancy (i think this was the title): i recommend this one again if you are considering a natural birth and want to learn more about your options.
spiritual midwifery: my all-time favorite book that i read during my last pregnancy and the one that had the most impact on my natural birth. ina may gaskin has a very positive attitude about pregnancy and childbirth, and it's pretty contagious! highly recommend.
ina may's guide to childbirth: a less hippy-oriented book by ina may that is also very good and covers some of the more modern questions that moms may be facing. i recommend this one too.
i know i read some other less memorable ones too...
Not home right now...but one of my favorites, which I find different from most is...
The Pregnancy Bible: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood, edited by Joanne Stone MD and Keith Eddleman MD
First, I want to point out that this book is more for you, than for the baby. Though it had great newborn care inforation. I absolutely love this book because they give a broad range of advice and resources. Themedical advice is amazing, and there are tons of real pictures thoughoutt every second of the book. The labor section is amazingly helpful and explans things I never knew!
It does give little information about the baby growing inside But it tells you what you need to know for your body. How to pick out clothes, nutrition. exersize, hazzards and safty, what is this symptom, emotions and intamacy. It makes me stress much less.
I sugest taking a look at this book yourself at a local Barns and Nobles Bookstore.
Thanks for this! I'm a total research junkie when it comes to this stuff (or actually, er, everything). I've read:
"What to Expect" - I was more interested in it in the beginning of my pregnancy. The question/answer format is slightly annoying.
"Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay" by Stefanie Wilder-Taylor - not very informative but it's wildly hilarious. I laughed til I cried (and peed).
"So That's What They're For" by Janet Tamaro - Fantastic book about BFing. Less preachy than some of the others, very informative, and entertaining.
"Easy Labor" by William Camann and Kathryn Alexander - he is a very distinguished anesthiologist whom I heard speak on a podcast. The book is wonderful - very frank and unbiased information about tons of pain management techniques for labor (both drug and non)
"Bump It Up" by Amy Tara Koch - maternity fashion. Cute book that motivated me to "take care of myself and dress stylishly, etc" during pregnancy....until M/S hit, then that was the end of that.
"What to Eat When You're Expecting" - a little long winded. I haven't finished it and probably won't.
I own but have yet to read:
"Happiest Baby on the Block"
"Baby 411"
"The Vaccine Book" by Dr. Robert Sears (next on the reading list)
"Balance is a Crock; Sleep is for the Weak"
By far my favorite pregnancy resource has been the podcast "Pregtastic." It's entertaining and so informative. It's on iTunes or pregtastic.com.
June Bugs Blog
WTEWYE- pretty good, not my favorite
Mayo Clinic Guide to a healthy pregnancy.- This is my favorite.
Pregnancy Month to Month.- It's a small book and I got it from my Dr. It's just okay. I would prefer the week to week one..
BLOG
Baby Laughs
Baby 411
Baby Bargains
And DH is reading Dad's Pregnant Too (corny title...but he is loving it! Apparently it's really entertaining, funny and helpful)