11 Pregnancy Books To Read Before Having A Baby : Pre & Post Care

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Pregnancy is a huge step in every woman’s life, and it is also that same stage that depicts parenthood. Although it seems to be a nice thing to become pregnant, there are some things you have to know beforehand to give yourself the next chance of having a healthy mindful pregnancy, and a healthy baby. So, calm down, give yourself a month or more to read and understand a series of things that concerns pregnancy, ranging from natural ways to prepare for labor, how to raise an infant and also to know more about the first year of life of an infant.

Apart from the normal health checks that need to be put into place when you’ve conceived and finally expecting a baby, there are other things that should be done to really improve your odds of having a mindful pregnancy to giving birth to an actual healthy baby. Here are some of the things that need to be put into place before you decide to go on conceiving a baby.

Things to consider before you decide to conceive

Getting your body in proper shape ahead of time
Eat right
Take more of folic acids (Prevents serious birth defects that can happen before you even know you are pregnant
Watch your weight
Get a checkup
Genetic counseling
Cut your caffeine intake
See your Dentist
Quit smoking
Stop Drinking
Have a budget for your baby
Look right into your benefits

And lastly,

Plan your Baby moon.

After is it certain that you and your partner have agreed on having a baby, and you have put in check all that have been listed above, then you need to consider reading certain books in order to improve your chances of having a mindful and holistic pregnancy. Below, I would be giving examples of books you might want to check out in your local shops today to strengthen your knowledge on natural ways to prepare for labor, and life after labor, both for the parent and for the new born child. As a matter of fact, there are tons of books out there in your local bookstores claiming to be pregnancy aid books, which in reality, most of them are merely time-wasting books. So, in trying to save you time and energy, we have decided to make a compilation in sections of books that really have been seen to help people out from the moment they decide to conceive till they give birth and throughout the baby’s life as an infant.

Best Pregnancy Book for Moms

Expecting Better by Emily Oyster

This book explains the key to good decision making in detail. Emily Oyster has taken pain into breaking down some general myths about data collection to the most comprehensive form any writer can ever do. She literally challenged a lot of conventional beliefs with pure natural data and has put many false statistics to rest in her book. It is a must get for those who wish to experience pregnancy and parenthood without having to worry about falling victim to false instructions often given by health officials, or family and friends.

Best Pregnancy Books for Dads

Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

Originally published in 1989, this book has both the objectives of becoming a definitive guide for men in helping women, especially their wives prepare for childbirth and the essential stuff to have on ground during the event. It is a must read for Dads who wish to give support to a woman through labor and birth as it includes detailed information about pain medications, anesthesia, and on the stages of labor, complications and medical intervention, non drug techniques for stopping labor pain, and treatment of the neonate. The book contains helpful drawings, tables and graphs for easy comprehension of the readers. The updated version of the book also provides more information about topics like how to help a woman who has an epidural, maximizing a woman’s chance for a vagina rather than a cesarean birth and so much more. There are literally no ends to the benefits of reading this book, it is a must get for every expectant father, even for those who have had kids before.

Other worthy mention :

What to Expect When Your Wife is Expanding ? by Thomas Hill

This is a best-selling book. The author is a two-time veteran of both child-birth and humor book writing. He took his time to cover everything that every father has to know from the latest technology and literature to politically correct rituals and behaviors. A lighthearted month by month instruction manual for nurturing and caring for a pregnant partner.

Best Infant Care Books

Baby 411 by Dr Ari

Everything the nurses and pediatrician will ever tell you can be found in this book. It is a great easy-to-read reference book packed with information. It will be your go-to guide for the first year of your baby’s life and more. This book contains wisdom from all the mothers who have become pregnant and have successfully given birth to healthy babies plus solid medical advice from a nationally renowned pediatrician. The book is to be looked upon as the ultimate FAQ for new and upcoming parents. Here are some of the questions and topics the book deals with efficiently:

Detailed nutrition information
Managing fussy baby
First aid
Sleep routine and tips
How to pick a pediatrician ?
Organic baby food options
How to protect your baby from viral diseases in the headlines ?
How to raise and infant ?

These and many more are contained in this ultimate guide to parenthood. It is a book highly recommended by pediatricians and a must-have on your baby shower registry.

What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff

This book provides a month by month guide for the first year of a baby's life. It clearly explains everything parents need to know, and it includes special sections on older siblings, selecting the right physician, seasonal concerns, traveling with baby, illnesses, and nurturing an adopted baby or the low-birthweight infant. All the info parents need for the right baby care is in this book. This book incorporates the latest findings in medicine with response to various queries thereby giving the most accurate information available to its readers.

Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp

This book is a quick read for parents looking for ways to help soothe their newborn. The cuddle cure technique mentioned in the book outlines how parents can transition their baby from crying fits to sleeping peacefully in minutes. This is often regarded as the most important parenting book of the decade. The writer reveals an extraordinary treasure that has been sought after by parents for so many years, which is an automatic way to stop their babies from crying. Harvey Karp has received appraisals from pediatrics across the country for his simple and executable recipe in making babies happy all the time. Parents will now never have to stand helplessly watching their babies cry their eyes out as a remedy has been provided in the book and put on sale for everybody to buy.

With Dr. Karp’s sensible advice, parents and grandparents, nurses and nannies, will be able to transform even the fussiest infant into the happiest baby on the block!

Best Natural Pregnancy Books

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May

What you need to know to have the best birth experience for you ? Drawing upon her thirty-plus years of experience, Ina May Gaskin, the nation’s leading midwife, shares the benefits and joys of natural childbirth by showing women how to trust in the ancient wisdom of their bodies for a healthy and fulfilling birthing experience. Based on the female-centered Midwifery Model of Care, Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth gives expectant mothers comprehensive information on everything from the all-important mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention.

Ina May has decided to show the world how to use the mind-body connection to help labor progress calmly and safely. Having been read by millions of women around the globe, the practical guide of this book has been seen to yield 100% success rate in taking the fear out of childbirth and restoring women’s faith in the power of their bodies.

If you enjoy this book, you will also enjoy the Amazon documentary, Birth Story: Ina May Gaskin and the Farm.

Birthing From Within by Pam England

This is another great book focusing on holistic approach to pregnancy and childbirth. Book explains how exercises and activities such as journal writing, meditation, and painting will help mothers analyze their thoughts and face their fears during pregnancy. For use during birth, the book offers proven techniques for coping with labor pain without drugs, a discussion of the doctor or midwife’s role, and a look at the father’s responsibilities. Childbirth education should also include what to expect after the baby is born. Book includes baby basics, such as how to bathe a newborn, how to get the little one to sleep, and tips for getting nursing off to a good start. Pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a process of continuous learning and adjustment; Birthing From Within provides the necessary support and education to make each phase of birthing a rewarding experience.

Best HypnoBirthing Book on Pregnancy

HypnoBirthing by Marie Mongan

HypnoBirthing has gained worldwide popularity recently as one of the natural ways to prepare for labor. It uses self-hypnosis, breathing, relaxation, and being mindful techniques to reduce fear and pain involved during childbirth. This book helps women to become empowered by developing their awareness of the instinctive birthing capabilities of their bodies. This reduces the pain of labor and childbirth, and also, it eliminates the need for drugs.

Spiritual Books to Read During Pregnancy

If you are someone who likes to get in touch with their spiritual self, who gets drawn into spiritual stories, and who looks internally, or someone who is looking for something other than the regular “what to expect” book (not included on this list), then these next two recommendations are for you:

Magical Beginnings, Enchanted Lives by Deepak Chopra

This book teaches using exercises and techniques developed for over ten years on how to see parenthood from a completely different perspective. It uses meditation, yoga, natural remedies, dietary guidelines, journaling, and visualization to care for the newborn baby and make the parents enjoy their respective parenthoods.

Waiting in Wonder: Growing in Faith While You’re Expecting by Catherine Claire Larson

This book invites women to embrace the spiritual journey that awaits them as they prepare for the high and holy calling of motherhood. It guides the readers through the time of pregnancy with devotions that are solely designed to strengthen, encourage and inspire them. And when the baby is born, the book also provides basis for reliving a wonder filled time of physical change and spiritual growth.

Best Pregnancy Cookbook

The Whole 9 Months by Jeniffer Lang & Dana Angelo White

One of the best pregnancy nutrition cookbooks out there focuses on getting important nutrients during pregnancy (DHA, iron, etc.). It contains over 100 quick and easy pregnancy recipes, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. There are also tips for handling nausea, cravings, and virtually anything else that comes your way. If you are looking for something to help your pregnancy meal plan, this book is highly recommended.

“Life is always a rich and steady time when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch." - E.B. White, Charlotte's Web -

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FAQ

What is HypnoBirthing?

HypnoBirthing is a birthing method that uses self-hypnosis, breathing, and relaxation techniques to reduce a mother’s awareness of the fear and pain involved during childbirth.

HypnoBirthing relaxes the muscles, reduces anxiety, reduces chances of medical interventions, empowers the mother, and is a natural way to prepare her for labor.