Best Pregnancy Books

[babbibubbs]

Hello all,

Just found out I am expecting and want to get a couple of informative books.

I've seen that 'what to expect when you're expecting' has good reviews but was wondering if anyone has any books they can recommend?

Thank you! Xx

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

I really like the Pregnancy Encyclopedia. It's a bit huge but answers all my questions without making me overly worried about things. I also bought the Mayo Clinic guide to a healthy pregnancy but it's very US-focused (not sure if I got the wrong edition). However, it does have a load of stretching/strengthening exercises in it which I find useful.

Congratulations!
I got my BFP a couple of weeks ago and started a very similar thread and got some really helpful recommendations. I looked them all up on amazon and based on the amazon reviews I bought :

• what to expect when you are expecting. It's very very informative, covers basically any eventuality. But I do find the 'trying to be funny' tone rather irritating.
• how to grow a baby and push it out. I love this one! Very down to earth, nicely laid out, really like the tone of it.
• expecting better. I only got this today. I think I'm going to love it. It's all about statistics and probability. E.g. You get told you can only have two cups of coffee a day. She goes into why, how much of a risk is it to have three, etc.

Oh and a few people said they found the Ovia app better than any book. I have downloaded it and like it, but definitely can't beat reading a book!

Just read about half of Expecting Better in one go. I really, really like it. The author looks at real evidence and clearly states risks of things like eating fish, drinking alcohol, going in a hot tub, antenatal screening. She does overturn a lot of commonly held beliefs! I love numbers and find the statistics reassuring. Highly recommend in addition to a more traditional pregnancy book which will answer other questions (like size of embryo, what to expect at appts, etc)

@TinyTerror1 @jeanzbeanz ladies I'm so sorry I rudely never replied to you both. I bought what to expect when you're expecting and how to grow a baby and push it out, both are absolutely fab so thank you very much for the recommendations. Really appreciate you taking the time to comment xxx

Expecting Better. Evidence based advice with no myth!

For when you start thinking about birth I highly recommend The Positive Birth Book, goes through everything really clearly and calmly and changed my perspective on it all

Expecting Better so you don't need to stop drinking coffee or start worrying about salami

What To Expect and the MN pregnancy book for honest information on what's going to happen week to week

I have What to Expect and really like it.

Yes, when you get closer to birth time I highly recommend the Positive Birth book too. Has got me into calm, confident mindset pre- birth..

Also full of stats, case studies, and useful tips.

I second @jeanzbeanz choices, and add my love to the Expecting Better pile. It's the most interesting and reassuring and empowering thing I've read re the practical aspects of pregnancy.

The positive birth book is great for planning your birth and helping you see everything during child birth in a happy exciting light rather than anything scary.

Also as previous posters have said - what to expect was a great source of information throughout.

Also the app baby centre is awesome. Especially for documenting the growth of your bump.

Good luck!