Book suggestions

mollyrobot · April 2015

Hi all!
I'm a new mommy and a bookworm. I was wondering what books related to pregnancy people are reading/have read and found helpful.

I know there is the classic, "What to Expect When You're Expecting". Do people like that? Other suggestions? Any that take a funny look at it? I could use the stress release.

Also any fiction books about pregnancy that you found enjoyable?

Pontot31 · April 2015

I second Happiest Baby on the Block.

I also loved the empowering stories in Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. And the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.

For a fun read - Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs was funny. I'm not a fan of hers but her book was a quick funny read. I also read Tina Fey's Bossy Pants while pregnant and it had a few very funny pregnant and kid stories.

To me the after baby books were almost more helpful and I didn't read enough of them. Once the baby was born I was in too much of a fog to read and retain!

CGarciaRivas · April 2015

I've been reading the Mayo Clinic guide to Pregnancy. It may not be exciting but it's not too dry and I can trust the facts in it. I read the Amazon reviews for "What to Expect" and they seemed to agree that the book was condescending and unhelpful. I am definitely keeping an eye out for good books on newborn/toddler nutrition.

Pontot31 · April 2015

^ I read both of those too and you're better off with the Mayo Clinic guide.
Get the what to expect app for free, it's basically the book.

CGarciaRivas · April 2015

Thanks jjr. That's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for.

Michsmelle · April 2015

I've been reading "What to Expect" and haven't found it to be unhelpful or condescending (yet). For basic information about pregnancy at each stage, I recommend it.

I've also read The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy and don't really recommend it. There's no science/medical info in it at all (which, to be fair, the author is very up front about—it is a humor book after all), but I just didn't find it funny enough to be worth the read. Very dated. Just my 2 cents!

geologynerd · April 2015

jjr1214 said:
For funny I've heard good things about A Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy, but I haven't read it. I like "Your Pregnancy Week by Week" a lot and just started reading "Expecting Better" which I saw someone else mention on here & am really enjoying! I can't think of any good fiction pregnancy books off the top of my head either.

Baby Bargains is a great guide to the stuff you will need for baby. It helped me a lot when it came to deciding what to buy. I also highly recommend reading some baby books while you are pregnant…I spent my whole pregnancy reading pregnancy books and then when I came home with the baby I did not feel prepared. Happiest Baby on the Block is great.

I second Your Pregnancy Week by Week. I'm reading it a week in advance. Not too much info to take in at once.

Falchas · April 2015

"How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm", I loved it, I read it my first pregnancy and it made me so excited to parent. Even if you don't agree with everything the author talks about, it's really interesting to hear about parenting culture around the globe.

blams05 · April 2015

I love "Your Pregnancy Week by Week" I read it the first time around and am working through it again now.

Pontot31 · April 2015

I have Bringing up Bebe and haven't read it yet. A friend gave it to me and highly recommended it. I liked the idea of pausing and waiting before running to the baby when they're crying. I need to be better at that this time.

Falchas · April 2015

jjr1214 , Pontot31 That one sounds good! Adding it to my library list.

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