The Best Pregnancy Books to Answer Your Next 9+ Months of Questions
In a nutshell:
Based on expert advice, staff research and survey feedback from over 350 members of The Bump community, we chose Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: The Complete Guide as our favorite pregnancy book as it’s informative, non-judgmental and offers a balanced approach.
Once you find out you’re pregnant—and, congratulations to you!—it’s easy to become overwhelmed with questions. What supplies will I need? What should I name my little one? When should I tell my family and friends? And the list goes on. If you ask us, the best question is about what type of books to read during pregnancy. That’s because pregnancy books can help answer many—if not all!—of the pregnancy questions you have!
There’s a wealth of information about pregnancy available—from online forums to mom friends and advice from medical professionals—it can be hard to cut through the noise. Fortunately, a good pregnancy book will present the facts and practical advice you really need to know. To help you find the best pregnancy books on the market today, we took the following steps:
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We spoke with a range of experts—including an ob-gyn, doula and prenatal nutritionist—and asked for their top pregnancy book recommendations.
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We surveyed over 350 members of The Bump community to see which pregnancy books they read and asked for feedback on what they liked and disliked.
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We leveraged our own familiarity with the best publishers and experiences as expectant parents, and included books that our editors have read and recommended.
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To see how these titles worked for a variety of families, we conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums and message boards and reading user reviews to find out what parents across the country looked for in a pregnancy book.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Overall best pregnancy book
- Inclusive language
- Non-judgemental tone
- Written by medical professionals
- Some readers say it’s biased towards natural childbirth
Selecting the “best” pregnancy book is no easy task. After all, each reader prefers a different writing style, tone and perspective. But through our extensive research, we discovered that this book displayed many of the qualities prospective parents are looking for in a pregnancy book. It’s non-judgmental, informative and balances medical facts with real-life experience. Aside from thousands of five-star reviews, this book was recommended to us by Jessica Lagrone, a certified doula, childbirth educator and founder of Balanced Families. “This is my favorite pregnancy book because the information is up-to-date and includes conventional information as well as traditional wisdom about the physiological and hormonal changes and considerations for new mothers,” explains Lagrone. Exactly as the title states, this go-to guide covers all aspects of pregnancy, delivery and baby’s first few months. First published in 1979 and revised numerous times (most recently in 2018), this popular pregnancy book for parents-to-be is filled with information on what to expect with your growing belly. Aside from the basics, this book includes a pregnancy stretching guide, tips on nutrition, quotes from real moms and the latest research and answers to your baby questions. Trust us, this perennial favorite is a must-have during pregnancy.
Number of pages: 512 | Year published: 2018 | Available on Kindle: Yes
“New moms feel so confident after reading it (rather than alarmed or anxious). As a doula and childbirth educator, the information presented is the most accurate to what I see on a daily basis with my clients and students.” - Jessica Lagrone, CCCE
Best data-driven pregnancy book
- Data-driven approach
- Non-judgemental tone
- Includes personal anecdotes
- Written by an economist
- Controversial take on alcohol during pregnancy
Emily Oster is a professor of economics at Brown University, as well as a mother. When she became pregnant, she found that pregnancy is full of accepted norms and conventional wisdoms that rarely come with explanations (why shouldn’t you have a cup of coffee, anyway?). Expecting Better uses the kind of hard data you’d expect from an award-winning economist to debunk the myths, demystify the “rules” and offers real advice for a laid-back, relaxed and peaceful pregnancy. While some people take issue with Oster’s approach, this book is incredibly popular. It was well received by our survey respondents as well as being a staff pick. Natalie Gontcharova, mom of one and senior editor of lifecycle at The Bump likes that Oster’s books are strictly evidence-based and that they “distill all the relevant, available research so that parents and parents-to-be can make their own decisions.”
Number of pages: 368 | Year published: 2014 | Available on Kindle: Yes
“This book helped calm me down when I was freaking out about everything from whether I should have coffee or (gasp) a glass of Champagne at a wedding while pregnant to miscarriage symptoms and risks. When things felt out of control during pregnancy, she assured me that I was (most likely) fine—and backed up that reassurance with statistics. If you like factual, non-preachy advice, this is the book for you.” - Natalie Gontcharova, mom of one and senior editor of lifecycle at The Bump
“I like that this book is data driven with scientific evidence used for analysis. The author has a relatable and humorous tone. I enjoyed the surprising and practical information given.” - Brittany W., expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
“It’s full of facts and it lacks the judgemental/patronizing tone lots of pregnancy books do. It doesn’t give you recommendations, just facts.” - Basia F., expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
“The book is based on facts and practical advice. It allows the reader to make their own decisions rather than the author preaching about her own choices.” - Josie B.*, expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best pregnancy book for medical information
- Pregnancy symptom guide
- Written by a doctor and mom of four
- New edition contains up-to-date medical research
- Currently available for preorder
Looking for a science-based guide to pregnancy? The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy provides trustworthy medical information from doctors at the reputable Mayo Clinic. And as an added bonus, those doctors are parents too, and know exactly what you’re experiencing. This pregnancy book breaks down baby’s growth by week and mom’s changing body by month, and includes a 40-week pregnancy calendar, symptom guide and illustrations. The revised book is set to be released in July 2024, with all the great elements of previous editions but with updated research, inclusive language and an increased focus on pelvic floor health during and after pregnancy.
Number of pages: 536 | Year published: 2024 | Available on Kindle: Yes
“I have the Mayo Clinic book and I like it a lot. It jumps around a bit in terms of what order it covers things, but the information is great, easy to follow and detailed.” - sunflower0908, The Bump forum member
“The Mayo Clinic book is good—simple, to the point, no frills.” - ELF4321, The Bump forum member
Best week-by-week pregnancy book
- Written by an ob-gyn
- Easy to digest information
- Weekly updates on baby’s development
- Some readers said the tips were outdated
With 30 years in print and more than a million copies sold, you know this week-by-week pregnancy guide is doing something right! Especially as it was recommended by Heather Bartos, MD a women’s health expert and ob-gyn based in Frisco, Texas: “This is/was my favorite: it broke everything down by each week of gestation.” Now in its eighth edition, Your Pregnancy Week by Week offers current medically grounded information delivered in a caring, conversational style. The illustrated guide includes detailed descriptions of baby’s development, tips on nutrition, information about medical tests and procedures plus a list of safe exercises you can do during pregnancy.
Number of pages: 480 | Year published: 2016 | Available on Kindle: Yes
[/It’s] also great for the partners, as it’s clear and explains what’s happening in the woman’s body and with the baby, so they don’t feel bogged down by reading an entire book. Each week, I popped open that gestational week, scanned it (it even has graphics and exercises, etc.) and then just handed it to my husband, who only had to get through a few pages—saved quite a lot of pregnancy fights!” - Heather Bartos, MD
“I love Your Pregnancy: Week by Week. It goes into detail each week more than WTEWYE. Also, in the beginning weeks it gives you a picture of baby's actual size. I always liked looking at that.” - lindsaymarimen, The Bump forum member
Best pregnancy book for anxious moms
- Non-judgemental
- Written by a doula
- Presents a mix of holistic and scientific information
- Best for first time moms
Nervous about becoming a first-time mom? Or simply want to learn to trust your own body? We recommend reading Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood by birth and postpartum doula Erica Chidi Cohen. This book presents prenatal education in a comprehensive and approachable way. It looks at everything through an integrative lens, offering the best of both worlds: science-backed information and holistic inspiration to help expecting parents find a balanced birthing approach. Along with trimester-specific tips, the author helps moms-to-be chart emotional and physical changes through journaling prompts, mindfulness exercises and more. It’s touted as a judgment-free pregnancy companion, and reviewers agree describing the tone of the book as gentle yet empowering. Basically, this book is the next best thing to hiring a doula.
Number of pages: 448 | Year published: 2017 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Best feminist pregnancy book
- Non-judgemental tone
- Includes personal anecdotes and scientific facts
- Good option for people who have experienced pregnancy loss
- Personal perspective on pregnancy
- Some readers didn’t like the breastfeeding chapter
Looking for a personal take on motherhood? In this book, food and culture writer Angela Garbes offers her own perspective on miscarriage, pregnancy and motherhood. Readers love the non-judgemental tone—especially around the topic of medicated vs. non-medicated childbirth—with one person describing her writing as a “balm” to negative self-talk and external pressures. While this book is very much personal, the book dives deep into the science of pregnancy and uses research and quotes from a variety of medical professionals. While it probably won’t be the only pregnancy book you read, this title is definitely one first-time moms should add to their bookshelf.
Number of pages: 448 | Year published: 2017 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Best pregnancy book about natural childbirth
- Practical tips
- Empowering tone
- Helps manage fears around childbirth
- Dated information
- Focuses on natural childbirth
- Some parents found birth stories to be unrealistic
Worried about delivery? Let the former president of the Midwives Alliance of North America walk you through her gentle approach to natural childbirth. Based on the midwifery model of care, this pregnancy book has been considered the gold standard for natural childbirth for decades, and contains everything you need to know about having a drug-free birth, and how to approach and manage pain during labor.
Number of pages: 400 | Year published: 2003 | Available on Kindle: Yes
“My wife and I used a midwife practice for our daughter's birth, and she was determined to experience labor without an epidural. The practice recommended this book to us, which became our constant companion for the rest of pregnancy. I remember she particularly appreciated the birth stories—it was her first pregnancy, and being able to see what other women had experienced in such personal terms meant a lot to her.” - Daniel Carroll, dad of one and associate director of e-commerce content for The Bump
Best pregnancy book for a hospital birth
- Written by a doula
- Practical advice
- Good section on birth plans
- eBook has typos
- Focuses on natural childbirth
Written by a doula, who has attended hundreds of births, this book offers advice on how to have as natural a birth as possible in a hospital setting. The book is split into three sections: Preparing for birth; giving birth; and pulling it all together. While all of it is useful, parents particularly like the comprehensive chapter on birth plans, which explains how to create an effective yet concise birth plan that can be used as a roadmap during delivery.
Number of pages: 272 | Year published: 2018 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Best pregnancy book for first-time dads
- Informative
- Month-by-month guide
- Dads like that the tone isn't patronizing
- Some information feels dated
During our research on the best pregnancy books for dads, one title cropped up constantly: The Expectant Father. Why? Well for one thing, it doesn’t lean on lazy stereotypes or lame jokes. Instead, this book focuses on what men go through—psychologically and emotionally—on the path to parenthood. But it also provides practical tips and a wealth of information on baby’s development as well as the different stages of pregnancy. Plus, just for dad, this month-by-month pregnancy book also talks tools and technology—as it applies to baby, that is. The new, revised edition even includes work-life-balance lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Number of pages: 336 | Year published: 2021 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Best pregnancy book for birth partners
- Inclusive language
- Explains different stages of labor
- Includes practical tips for birth partners
- 6th edition is available for preorder now
- Some readers report grammatical errors
Want to support your partner to the best of your ability? This inclusive pregnancy and labor guide is written for dads, doulas, relatives and friends. (In other words, anyone that might fit the description of a birth partner.) Filled with practical tips, this book will help you recognise when labor has begun, take you through the process step by step and advise you on how to care for your partner in the postpartum period.
Number of pages: 440 | Year published: 2018 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Best pregnancy book for couples
If you’re a couple having a baby, you’re likely hoping to take this huge leap together. And that’s exactly what this book encourages. With helpful advice, checklists and strategies for coming together as a team, this book helps to ensure that having a baby brings you together instead of pulling you apart into separate universes.
Number of pages: 192 | Year published: 2023 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Best pregnancy cookbook
- Recipes for dehydration and nausea
- Index organized by pregnancy symptom
- Some readers said it lacked attention to detail
Nourish your body as well as your mind with the help of this pregnancy cookbook. It’s written by a prenatal nutritionist and features 100 flavorful recipes, specifically designed for moms-to-be. Aside from being healthy and delicious, these meals can help curb common pregnancy symptoms like nausea, heartburn and constipation. Brownie points go to the bonus self-care tips and “mommy milestones”, which also appear in the book.
Number of pages: 241 | Year published: 2019 | Available on Kindle: Yes
“With The Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook, you'll have access to foods that easily and deliciously nourish you and your baby. All the recipes are short and can be made with common ingredients, often already in your pantry or refrigerator.” - Ryann Kipping, MPH, RDN
Best pregnancy book about general health
Pregnancy books tend to offer differing opinions on how best to grow a healthy baby in your belly, which may leave you confused. What we love about this read on our list of the best books on pregnancy is how it provides well-rounded data to help you decide what’s best for you and baby, from everything from food and exercise to genetic testing. Plus, it includes a list of superfoods for every stage of pregnancy.
Number of pages: 464 | Year published: 2013 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Best relatable pregnancy book
- Easy to read
- Symptom charts
- Husbands and partners also found it helpful
- Lacks in-depth information
Never been pregnant? Start here! This pregnancy book’s fresh approach and relatable tone will have you nodding your head going, “girl, yes!” from start to finish. You’ll learn all the new-mom basics here, but the book keeps things relatively high level, which means it’s perfect for a breezy read that’s informative without getting too deep in the weeds. If you’re looking for a lighthearted read that’s more than just funny, Bumpin’ is the obvious choice.
Number of pages: 384 | Year published: 2019 | Available on Kindle: Yes
“It is written in layman's terms and is relatable. It’s organized by trimester. I have found it to be enjoyable and would say there is nothing I don't like about it.” - Paige S., expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
Best honest pregnancy book
- Written by doulas
- Inclusive language
- Simple approach to different stages of labor
- Glosses over some topics
- Some readers found pop culture references corny
Let’s be real, pregnancy isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. And sometimes you just need an honest perspective on what your body is going through, as well as what to expect during childbirth. Enter: Why Did No One Tell Me This? Written by experienced doulas and educators, this book endeavors to answer all your burning questions while guiding you through this joyful yet trying time. The book is filled with bite-sized pieces of information and advice alongside vibrant illustrations that make it super-enjoyable to read. And while it is honest, the book is also funny, uplifting and non-judgemental, so you won’t feel terrified once you’ve finished reading it. Plus, at under 300 pages, it’s nice and short.
Number of pages: 272 | Year published: 2020 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Best light-hearted pregnancy book
If you’re in the mood for some straight talk that’s often informative, sometimes funny and always feminist-leaning, this is the pregnancy book you’ll want to dive into right away. The authors’ no-holds-barred approach to pregnancy and childbirth is refreshing and honest, and comical enough that you’ll laugh while you learn.
Number of pages: 272 | Year published: 2020 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Pregnancy book for LGBTQ+ and solo parents
- Informative
- Well-written
- Inclusive
- Limited reviews
This recently published book is a great resource for families of all types. Full of essential info and helpful advice, it’s truly meant for everybody, no matter how they identify; even solo parents will find support here. Learn about how gender identity can inform pregnancy decisions, like IVF and other fertility treatments, and about legal considerations as well. Written in a friendly, compassionate tone, this pregnancy book is a great addition to any library.
Number of pages: 352 | Year published: 2023 | Available on Kindle: Yes
Best empowering pregnancy and postpartum book
- Good section on birth plans
- Explains every stage of labor
- Balanced tone
- Information based on UK healthcare system
This wonderful read aims to empower those giving birth to create the birthing situation they’d most like to have. It takes a non-judgemental tone and addresses all types of births, from home deliveries to c-sections in a hospital setting. Here, you’ll receive guidance on creating and executing a birth plan, learn what you need to know about optimal cord clamping and breastfeeding basics, and even postpartum pelvic floor information.
Number of pages: 328 | Year published: 2023 | Available on Kindle: Yes
*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.
There are so many different types of pregnancy books—probably because each pregnancy is so different! Some books are chock-full of detailed information about your health and baby’s, while others are funny or lighthearted reads. But no matter the tone or focus, there are some constants: You want to find a book that’s medically accurate, uses relatable and understandable language and offers useful and actionable advice.
The next nine months are all-new territory. Even if you’ve already brought tiny humans into the world, no two pregnancies are alike. While the thought of food may have turned your stomach during your first pregnancy, your second baby may have you eating everything in sight. And if you’ve never experienced pregnancy before, you’re sure to wonder what’s normal and what’s not. But a well-written and engaging pregnancy book can help to put your mind at ease.
About the writer:
Martina Garvey is an editor at The Bump, where she writes and edits e-commerce content for pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Over an eight-year career in educational publishing and digital media, Martina has developed a keen eye for detail and robust reporting skills. As a staff member on The Bump for over three years, she leverages an in-depth knowledge of must-have baby gear and postpartum essentials alongside a passion for the latest trends to create informative content parents can trust.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Jessica Lagrone, CCCE, is a certified doula with Dona International and a certified childbirth educator. She co-founded Balanced Families, a platform that offers childbirth and postpartum classes, with her husband in 2019. Lagrone received her master’s degree from the University of Arkansas.
Heather Bartos, MD, is a women’s health expert, ob-gyn and the medical director of Be. Women’s Health and Wellness in Frisco, Texas. A navy veteran, she spent 12 years serving the women and spouses of the armed forces, and was an associate professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. She completed her residency at Baylor College of Medicine, and earned her medical degree at The University of Texas.
Ryann Kipping, MPH, RDN, CLEC, is the founder and CEO of The Prenatal Nutritionist. Kipping earned her degree in nutritional sciences at the University of Oklahoma and holds a master’s in public health from San Diego State University. She regularly posts prenatal nutrition content on Instagram at @prenatalnutritionist.
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