My midwifery practice always had shelves filled with pregnancy books. They were on loan, and I selected the very best out there on natural pregnancy, holistic prenatal care, and birth preparation. However, there are NO books that bring a woman through the entire pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period with a midwife that centers on visit-by-visit prenatal care discussions. So, I wrote Your Birth Journey: A Holistic Guide to Pregnancy. Purchase the book.
Your Birth Journey is a complete pregnancy guide to help you make informed decisions along the way. It is essentially a “to do” list to keep you on track. There are also many other books that I highly recommend you read. Education is key to planning your best birth!
Pregnancy and Childbirth Books
Rebecca Dekker explores outdated hospital practices and how they impact birthing women today. A must read for every pregnant parent!
Ina May Gaskin, known as the “mother of authentic midwifery,” inspired the home birth movement in the United States. Her book is filled with positive home birth stories, practical information, and insight into birthing without fear. Every woman should read this book!
Written by a midwife who served close to 3,000 women at home and in hospitals, Baby Catcher is a collection of fun-filled memoirs of Peggy’s experiences as a Californian midwife. A must-read!
Written by a home-birth midwife, Birthing From Within brings mom’s to the heart of childbirth education by offering journal writing, painting, meditation, and other creative activities to help with emotional and physical coping measures for labor and birth.
This is a must-have book for parents planning a home birth. Written by midwives, The Essential Homebirth Guide focuses on birth options, planning a homebirth, common pregnancy issues, birth plans, and informed decision making.
Mama Natural is a favorite week-by-week natural pregnancy guide that is midwifery friendly and eco-conscious. It fits the needs of a home, birth center, or hospital birth mothers looking for alternative discussions to the obstetric care model.
This lovely book is perfect for parents who are new to the homebirth world. The author provides a very clear look into the differences between the medical model and the midwifery model of care.
Every woman preparing for a natural birth should read Active Birth. This book provides a wide range of prenatal exercises, labor and birth positions, relaxation techniques, and other methods to help you create a positive birth.
Many more books could be added to this list, but the ones listed left my bookshelf the most. Over the years, they became well-worn with use and continue to be loved by mothers everywhere.
Who Should Read These Books?
There is no question that these books will benefit every woman, but if you are a first-time mother or are looking to have your first natural birth, these books are a must. Do everything you can now to learn about the power of birth and how you can prepare yourself for the amazing journey of confidence, self-awareness, and strength on your birth journey.
