Did your Dr. suggest reading books on pregnancy?

VexyMommy · June 2015

I've got to wonder if other Dr.'s are providing or suggesting books on pregnancy to their patients. My Dr. provides a copy of What to Expect When Expecting to all mothers in her practice. I get the feeling based on the types of frequent questions I'm seeing here that this isn't typical. What did your doctor do?

lakesideknitter · June 2015

Yes! I was planning on posting something similar later today - thank you!! It seems as though TB is many women's only source of information on their bodies. My doctor gave me a book at my first appointment - Mayo Clinic's Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. She also gave me a list of other books on specific topics. Hopefully this thread will encourage more women to do real research rather than asking a bunch of strangers for their opinions.

ETA: too early for words.

Peony1982 · June 2015

I've had 2 OB groups with 2 pregnancies, but neither recommended it. I did read through What to Expect. Also the girlfriend's guide to pregnancy for a more lighthearted take

christina4436 · June 2015

Nope - hasn't recommended or provided.

mamavbs · June 2015

(In the UK)Interestingly when I was pregnant with my son 4 years ago- every new mum was given a special book written by the NHS with tons of info. It was a thick book that covered pregnancy and newborns. Then a second one at birth called birth to five which covered weaning and development and even activity ideas! They were invaluable, it was my first point of reference. They've stopped doing them now due to cut backs, but I do think having something like this is just a great idea. Something impartial and not aimed at specific "routines" or "styles" of parenting. If you can't buy one, I'd suggest hitting a library to borrow one. It would make a world of difference for some ladies on this forum :-)

VexyMommy · June 2015

mamavbs said:

(In the UK)Interestingly when I was pregnant with my son 4 years ago- every new mum was given a special book written by the NHS with tons of info. It was a thick book that covered pregnancy and newborns. Then a second one at birth called birth to five which covered weaning and development and even activity ideas! They were invaluable, it was my first point of reference. They've stopped doing them now due to cut backs, but I do think having something like this is just a great idea. Something impartial and not aimed at specific "routines" or "styles" of parenting. If you can't buy one, I'd suggest hitting a library to borrow one. It would make a world of difference for some ladies on this forum :-)

Medicaid (the state/federal insurance for people of low/no income in the US) in my home state provides the books to mothers. It's excellent. They cost approximately $10 and (in the US) you can probably call your local WIC or Medicaid office to see if you can get one for free.

Ceridwen77 · June 2015

No, they did not recommend a book to me, but they did provide me with information on L&D, breastfeeding, and parenting classes. I haven't bought a book as I'm finding a lot of information online, but definitely looking into taking some classes.

mamavbs · June 2015

@VexyMommy that's great, they make such a difference. And I always feel like I can trust a book a bit more than the Internet for some reason!

MargaretC5 · June 2015

My dr recommend the classes when I was pregnant the first time, but no books. I also never asked, I had already gone to Barnes and Noble right after I found out I was pregnant.

CEB37 · June 2015

I didn't see my doctor until about 8 weeks, so before that time I figured I get some reading done. It seemed like it was common sense to me to get some books. I didn't wait to be told by my doctor.

saraehyde · June 2015

So I am with a midwifery group and they have a lending library! It has DVDs and so many books. My midwife actually told me the she doesn't like What To Expect because she finds it alarmist. That being said I have read it and do like it. I actually appreciate knowing about all the stuff that can go wrong. It makes me feel calmer to have all the information. She also told me to stay off the internet and here I am. I promise I am listening to her advice on health related things.

bellie1223 · June 2015

My first OB recommended getting What to Expect (didn't provide a copy--that's cool yours did), but said I should steer clear of reading other pregnancy books/web sites because the influx of information tends to make women more anxious rather than less. I did start reading What to Expect, but personally found the author's tone condescending and annoying at times, so found some other books at the library that have been very helpful.

I have since switched OBs for a myriad of other reasons, maybe it's just hormones, but I found her advice about reading materials particularly offensive--like I guess I'm just a hysterical woman who needs the channels of information about her changing body controlled by someone??

modanz1 · June 2015

My doctor did not provide or recommend any books. She literally said, "Don't take ibuprophen or eat cold lunch meat". Those were her only rules.

natalknitter15 · June 2015

I've been surprised by the blank looks on my midwives' faces when I ask them for book suggestions. At my physical exam, my primary care doctor told me, "I think they have apps for that now." Whatever happened to a good old-fashioned book? Oh well. My friend gave me the book Mindful Birthing, which I've found to be really helpful not only in terms of thinking about the delivery process, but also in terms of helping me with the general anxiety I feel regarding this pregnancy. I do also follow along week-by-week in What to Expect.

Squirtgun · June 2015

Sort of vaguely related (ok, maybe only in my brain): Those of you in US, if you have a Publix grocery near you, sign up for the baby club! They mail you a free AAP caring for your child birth through age 5 Book. It is HUGE and has great info in it.
(Related because books keep us informed and we know how to help ourselves and our children?)

Falchas · June 2015

Love the publix book, I've used it a lot in the past few years. I've never received any good recs from my docs office for pregnancy either, but good question as I appreciated a reference book as opposed to going down the black hole of the internet when I was getting freaked. As far as infant care, a friend that is a pediatrician told me that she recommends (and uses herself) Baby 411 to her new parents. I got the kindle version a few years ago with my first and used frequently the first year.

VexyMommy · June 2015

Squirtgun said:

Sort of vaguely related (ok, maybe only in my brain): Those of you in US, if you have a Publix grocery near you, sign up for the baby club! They mail you a free AAP caring for your child birth through age 5 Book. It is HUGE and has great info in it. (Related because books keep us informed and we know how to help ourselves and our children?)

I didn't know about that. Thank you. Sounds like a great resource.

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