8 Favorite Books for Pregnancy and Postpartum
When I look back on my pregnancies, I’ve walked very different journeys through them. I’ve consumed every resource I could, planned my registry at 4 weeks pregnant, and listened to every podcast about natural birth I could. While other pregnancies I have done very little to “prepare” for labor and birth outside of prayer.
You have to listen to your intuition regarding how much information serves you during such a vulnerable time. Not just because of overflowing hormones but because, I believe, we are ultra-sensitive to the Grace of God.
So sometimes it makes sense to read everything about the physiology of pregnancy and postpartum. While other moments of pregnancy it makes sense to draw into oneself and simply rely on the peace of God to guide you where you need to go.
If you’re searching for some reading material during pregnancy – or even before you’re pregnant – you’ve come to the right place! I’ve compiled a short list of my favorite books I have read through my six pregnancies and postpartum. Some are from a very physiological standpoint and help you understand just how your body was created to grow and birth your baby. While others are more from a spiritual point of view.
Grab your notepad and let’s dive in!
Books for Pregnancy
When it comes to learning about pregnancy, I think it’s important to balance the spiritual and physiological. There is so much happening to your body and mind, it’s silly that so much of the world says it’s just about a growing belly.
My mom always said to me “You’d never expect the amount of change that happens in a single pregnancy.” Sure your belly grows. But so can your nose and your feet. Your eyesight can change and your tastebuds can take on a whole new identity.
But what’s so much more important are the spiritual changes that come with pregnancy. It’s the first step of motherhood that requires you to think of someone other than yourself. It’s a sacrifice and change that you can’t understand until it’s happening.
I hope you appreciate the balance these books offer between the spiritual and physiological.
Fertile Ground: A Pilgrimage Through Pregnancy by Laura S. Jansson
I found this book so encouraging. It’s definitely for the spiritual side of pregnancy. As an Orthodox Christian book, it’s one of the first books of its kind. I appreciated Laura’s thoughtful approach and how she related each step of pregnancy to scripture and our life in the church.
One chapter, which struck me as particularly incredible, spoke of middle-of-the-night feedings. How it’s so easy to feel alone in the quietness of the night. But just as Christ asked his disciples to pray with him for one hour in Gethsane, night feeding is a mother's (or parents) opportunity to serve Christ and pray with him.
I highly recommend this book whether you’re a first-time mom or 5th.
Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition by Lily Nichols
Lily Nichols' book is one of the most phenomenal books I’ve ever read. She debunks the modern diet advice for pregnant women and backs all of her claims with incredible evidence-based research.
The way she breaks down the nutrients required is easy to digest and also astounding to see what we need. And what I really love is her meal plan. She makes it easy to get ideas for delicious and nutritious meals.
Even if you’re not able to stick to the meal plan 100% – I can’t! – it gives you a great idea of how to get the most out of what you can eat.
Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by Pam England and Rob Horowitz
This was the first book I received about birth from my nurse preceptor in college. It opened my eyes to the spiritual side of pregnancy and birth, albeit not from an Orthodox perspective.
The book is filled with many amazing positive birth stories and helps you connect to your pregnancy from a physical and emotional perspective.
Because it’s a secular book, you must take it all with a grain of salt and discern what you read. But I still think it’s a valuable resource.
Childbirth without Fear: The Principles and Practice of Natural Childbirth by Dr. Grantly Dick-Read
Dr. Dick-Reads's work was groundbreaking and one of the first books I read when I was pregnant with my first daughter. It guides you through the physiology of pregnancy and birth. Most importantly, it walks you through the fear-pain relationship.
Essentially, the more fear you have, the more pain you’ll be in. The more tension you have in your body, the more pain you’ll feel.
So this book is great in understanding how large of a role your mind plays in labor and birth. I’d go as far as to say your mind is the most essential tool you have in your labor and birth.
Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Most people in the birth world know about Ina May. Her skills in midwifery and physiological childbirth have done so much good for the modern woman. Where once birth wisdom was lost, she fought to bring it back.
Her guide to childbirth goes between the physiological side as well as the spiritual side of birth. And this book is filled with many incredible birth stories that we can all learn from.
Essential Postpartum Books
I’m so glad to see the change that is being made when it comes to prepping for the postpartum period. This time, also known as the Fourth Trimester, needs to be prepared for much more than birth.
Birth is only a few-day event (at most) whereas postpartum is months if not years long, depending on your perspective.
As much change happens in your body and mind over the 9ish months of pregnancy, even more change comes with postpartum. You have to care for a new human life, your home and husband, and maybe other children.
Unfortunately, most of us don’t have our mothers close by or a village ready to attend to our needs. So preparing for postpartum is essential for having a smooth transition to motherhood.
A Sacred Beginning: Nurturing Your Body, Mind, and Soul during Baby's First Forty Days by Sarah Brangwynne and Sasha Rose Oxnard
This is one of the only books of its kind, from an Orthodox Christian perspective. It’s a guide written by two mothers and is meant to nourish you spiritually while you are recovering and away from church.
I appreciated this book and think it’s a beautiful read. I read it after having my fourth baby and wish I had had it with my first. I think for first-time mothers it would be a great read. I still learned from it as a fourth-time mother but I could have used it more the first go-around.
I think that even if you’re not Orthodox, it’s still a very spiritually nourishing book that you can take or leave what serves you.
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, and Marisa Belger
This book is rich with the traditions of other cultures and how they observe postpartum. Heng Ou walks you through the reality that recovering and getting “back to work” is a very modern idea. And that rest and nourishment are essential for a full recovery.
She also gives some of the most delicious recipes that offer so much nourishment. I love the oatmeal congee recipe and I’ve made it for all of my postpartum periods.
The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality by Kimberlie Ann Johnson
Kimberlie does a fantastic job of navigating the overwhelming change that comes with postpartum. The physical and emotional changes all play such an important role in motherhood. Whether you’re a first-time mom or a sixth, this book gives great reminders of how tumultuous the first three months post-birth can be.
She is coming from a secular point of view so discern what is needed. I most appreciate her emphasis on recruiting as much help as possible and putting more preparation time in for postpartum than the birth itself.
Final Thoughts on Books About Pregnancy and Postpartum
Although this is not a comprehensive list of the best books for pregnancy and postpartum, I think it’s a great place to start. As you read through these books, take notes on what you find most helpful. Start to visualize how you want your birth to look as well as your postpartum. The more you do in pregnancy to prepare for postpartum the easier your transition to motherhood.
Keep prayer at the center of all your reading and the Holy Spirit will be your guide.
Make sure you share this blog with another mom! Which book do you plan on reading? Leave a comment!
