Non-Gushy Reading Material

[Maryc279]

Hello! I am pregnant for the first time (about 6 weeks). I don't know very much about what is going on inside my body and keen to learn. So far I have read "Expecting Better" by Emily Oster. I liked this because its not gushy - she is an economist and there is a lot of data in there. I am not interested in reading about how magical the whole thing is - I want science! Any recommendations? TIA

[Charlotte2020]

'How to grow a baby and push it out' by Clemmie Hooper is good. It has case studies and she's a midwife. Goes week by week and into detail on painkillers etc.
The positive birth book by milli hill was recommended to me, but I found it a bit hippy-ish. Some facts but a lot of "I am woman hear me roar" type stuff. Wasn't for me!

[Turtleturtle81]

I personally hated “how to grow a baby and push it out” - I don’t need tips on how to wear red lipstick and leather jackets during pregnancy, or reminders to drop hints for my partner to buy me a “push present”. The language is a bit infantile as well, I prefer to refer to my breasts as breasts, not “puppies” or any other twee euphemisms.
In comparison, “the modern Midwife’s guide to pregnancy, birth and beyond” by Marie Louise is straight to the point, factual and science based. It goes into detail about exactly what is happening in your body and why without being patronising or dumbing things down for the reader.

[Lola871]

Definitely the midwife's guide to pregnancy, birth and beyond that PP has recommended. Very factual, evidence based, none of the patronising stuff a lot of pregnancy books have, and pretty balanced views on things too.

[Nimsay1]

I was recommended "keep calm, you're having a baby" and it was the worst, fluffy, gushy book I've ever read. I gave up quickly but found the following brilliant...

• Your baby, week by week
• French children don't throw food (I credit this book with having a baby who slept through the night!)
• The expectant dads handbook (my husband was better informed through stages of the pregnancy than I was!)

[Nimsay1]

*i meant to say having a baby who slept through the night from 9 weeks old.

[Maryc279]

Thank you everyone! That's really helpful xx

[Semele5069]

Don't go near the "What to expect..." books! I've never been so annoyed by anything. Lots of cute-sy language and stupid puns in basically every sentence, plus horrible gender stereotyping that was just offensive to everyone.

I am liking "Give birth like a feminist" much better.

[SanFrancisco49er]

I like my 'Pregnancy Day by Day' book. I wanted to avoid anything gushy or anything "theories" and just wanted medical information. It's been great and very informative without patronising or assuming we all need to feel empowered etc.

[Turtleturtle81]

@Semele5069

Don't go near the "What to expect..." books! I've never been so annoyed by anything. Lots of cute-sy language and stupid puns in basically every sentence, plus horrible gender stereotyping that was just offensive to everyone.

I am liking "Give birth like a feminist" much better.

“Give birth like a feminist” was a real eye opener for me. I definitely also recommend this.

[PlanBea]

@Turtleturtle81 thanks to your post I have swerved the Clemmie Hooper book I had been eyeing and bought your suggestion instead. Thank you!

[Oneandabean]

The day by day pregnancy book.
Got loads of information in it and I love reading it every day. Got loads of information about what’s going on without any gushy wording

[Maryc279]

I’ve gone for the modern midwife and day by day pregnancy book to be getting on with.

I’ve also had 2 rave reviews for the positive birth company digital pack from two friends who are recent first time mums.

Thanks again

[Turtleturtle81]

[quote PlanBea]@Turtleturtle81 thanks to your post I have swerved the Clemmie Hooper book I had been eyeing and bought your suggestion instead. Thank you! [/quote]
Haha :) glad to have helped!
If I remember correctly, there was a part in the book that talked about getting your husband to help by doing some of the cooking for you occasionally to give you a break. I felt like I had fallen into some kind of 1950s time travel wormhole.

[Amelia891]

Bumpology! Really interesting book, very scientific and study based but still an easy read.

[bleachblondemom]

I got ‘Pregnancy- The Naked Truth’ and read the whole thing in one day