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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Books to read?

12 replies

WeeSooty · 26/01/2012 21:40

Hiya

Just got my BFP and wondering if any of you can recommend the best books on pregnancy, birth, breast feeding and babies!

I feel so clueless!! Blush

Thank you!

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lou1403 · 26/01/2012 21:58

I really like 'what to expect when you are expecting'. Straight forward, sensible advice and had the answers to pretty much all my questions. it breaks pregnancy down to month by month and it didn't give me 'the fear'. I've just ordered the following on one for babies off of amazon on the basis of how useful i found this one.

LadyMaybe · 27/01/2012 02:29

I've found either your pregnancy day by day or your pregnancy week by week to be very good - lots of information, the week by week one is written by Lesley Regan who is a top UK specialist, the day by day one has the advantage of the daily snippets for those who like me get a bit obsessive about it.

For 'birth' reading, I think Juju Sundin's Birth Skills is completely fantastic - it's a really practical guide to active birth, gives lots of information about the various stages as well as techniques for coping with the pain. Really helpful if you get fed up with advice that says 'stay active' but doesn't go much further than that. This one is written by a physiotherapist and is very much based in physiological responses to pain. Explains everything and not too didactic about using/not using drugs, c-section etc.

Breast feeding - this is such a practical/physical skill it's hard to get much from books, better to see whether you can find any BFing support groups like LaLeche League and pop along while you're pregnant - it helps to see other mums feeding (they won't mind, honest) and will be helpful if you end up having problems. Not everyone does, lots do, and it's nice to know where local support is if you need it before your brain gets fried with exhaustion, desperation and guilt (again, not compulsory but quite common if BFing problems arise). www.kellymom.com is a good website too.

Babies - there are parenting manuals, easy to find from the various 'gurus' with their patented methods and theories about how babies should behave, but I think that banishing the word 'should' from your vocab now is probably worthwhile. This one, Your Baby Week by Week is more developmental, written by doctors and just gives advice on what is reasonably normal to expect in terms of sleeping, crying, nappies, medical stuff (i.e. when checkups are likely, immunisation etc.) I think it was originally written before the recommendation to start solid food at 6 months so it starts talking about that a bit earlier, but my edition acknowledges this change and at least you get a bit of prior information about it beforehand. It's NOT a 'you should do it this way' book but does give basics about bathing, clothing and generally looking after your baby.

MrsHuxtable · 27/01/2012 08:04

Ina May Gaskin!!!!

milk · 27/01/2012 08:18

Like LadyMaybe, I found either your [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Day---Day-Pregnancy-Book-Comprehensive/dp/1405332107/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1327652267&sr=8-27 pregnancy day by day] or your pregnancy week by week to be very good :)

I also watched "Happy birth day"- an NCT dvd

WeeSooty · 29/01/2012 09:19

Thank you so much for these recommendations! I?ll have a look on amazon, day by day book sounds great.. I am a total control freak and since my BFP I feel out of control!

One more question.. Can?t believe I didn?t think to ask this, can anyone recommend a book specifically for my husband to read? It needs to be pretty easy to read and down to earth.

Thank you!

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Char11 · 29/01/2012 09:47

We got 'Pregnancy for Men: The Whole Nine Months' and DH is enjoying it (and I've been reading it too!). Its quite laid back but informative and factual too.
I agree about the Day-by-Day Pregnancy book - I've got that and like that you have something to read each day but obviously can also flick about and read bits as they become relevant.

justhayley · 29/01/2012 17:15

Iv loved the pregnancy day by day book and the pregnancy bible - get both from amazon - half the price Smile

MarksPA · 30/01/2012 22:01

I second Ina May Gaskin. I read 'Ina Mays' Guide to Childbirth'. I found it an empowering read when I was expecting, and it helped us make an informed choice on they type of birth plan that suited us. Easy to read too. ISBN 978-0-553-38115-3. I'm happy to gift you my copy if you'd like it - I no longer need it (DD2 now 8 months and we're not planning any more!).

I can also recommend 'Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding'. ISBN 978-1-905177-33-2. There is some overlap with the Childbirth book, but still very worthwhile read.

FutureNannyOgg · 30/01/2012 22:46

I recently read "Heart in the Womb" which is amazing, just as an overall insight.
The Food of Love is a brilliant book for breastfeeding.

Macaroons · 31/01/2012 09:25

I bought Dr Anne Deans' pregnancy bible www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1903258537/ quite a big book with lots of info and pictures; also bought a pocket pregnancy bible www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1907087079/ and what to expect when you are expecting on kindle so can read on the go.

MummyPigandDaddyPig · 31/01/2012 09:44

www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Baby-Week-ultimate-caring/dp/0091910552/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328002928&sr=8-1

YOur baby week by week by Simone Cave is the only book you will need! Pop it in your hospital bag and you read one chapter per week and it will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know, and answers all your worries in simple easy steps.

Its the only book I read once baby was here and I never looked back to the millions of other books I read whilst pregnant. They were all slightly useless....

WeeSooty · 31/01/2012 22:12

Thank you so much everyone, I really appreciate your suggestions... I sense I am about to spend far too much on amazon! lol Smile

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