Empowering yourself with knowledge and resources is something I always encourage people to do. No matter the topic.

Pregnancy and birth are a time when you need to be your own advocate, understand your body, and trust your mama instincts.

Here are 5 of my top recommended pregnancy and birth books.

*note – links in this post may be affiliate links that support us financially when you purchase through the link. This is at no extra cost to you.

1 – “The Unassisted Baby”

This book is a foundational resource for anyone planning an unassisted birth. Or anyone planning to have a more natural birth to learn more about birth.

The Unassisted Baby will help you:

• Learn about the dangers of interventions

• Do your own prenatal care

• Compile the necessary birth supplies

• Recognize the signs of labor

• Understand the process of labor and childbirth

• Prevent complications

• Perform a newborn evaluation

• Take care of yourself postpartum

• Understand what to do in an emergency

• Get a birth certificate for your baby

• Teach your partner what to do during labor and birth

Women have given birth without medical assistance throughout all of history. Even if you aren’t planning a home birth, this book will give you the information you need to give birth safely.

2 – “Naturally Healthy Pregnancy“

This book answers all the questions about nutritional and herbal medicine for optimum health during pregnancy. Beginning with God’s design for health and nutrition, the following is covered in detail: how to eat for a healthy baby, which herbs are safe and which are dangerous during pregnancy, and the best ways to minimize those times of nausea and discomfort. Shonda Parker provides information to guide the pregnant mom and her baby to good health with a balanced approach to herbal and traditional medicine. 

A broad range of information and research, coupled with years of experience has emerged to create this health and nutrition book that encompasses far more than the health needs of present and future pregnant women. The author’s warm, personal style, combined with an educational powerhouse of information makes The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy essential to a healthful, joy-filled pregnancy. A treasured gift!

3 – “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth“

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 Childbirth gives expectant mothers comprehensive information on everything from the all-important mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention. 

Filled with inspiring birth stories and practical advice, this invaluable resource includes:

• Reducing the pain of labor without drugs—and the miraculous roles touch and massage play
• What really happens during labor
• Orgasmic birth—making birth pleasurable
• Episiotomy—is it really necessary? 
• Common methods of inducing labor—and which to avoid at all costs
• Tips for maximizing your chances of an unmedicated labor and birth
• How to avoid postpartum bleeding—and depression 
• The risks of anesthesia and cesareans—what your doctor 
doesn’t necessarily tell you
• The best ways to work with doctors and/or birth care providers
• How to create a safe, comfortable environment for 
birth in any setting, including a hospital
• And much more

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth takes the fear out of childbirth by restoring women’s faith in their own natural power to give birth with more ease, less pain, and less medical intervention.

4 – “The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth“

The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth is the modern (and yet ancient) approach to pregnancy and childbirth. “Natural” recognizes that pregnancy and birth are normal, and that having a baby is a wondrous biological process and rite of passage–not a medical condition. This book draws upon the latest research showing how beneficial and life-changing natural birth is for both babies and moms.

Full of weekly advice and tips for a healthy pregnancy, Howland details vital nutrition to take, natural remedies for common and troublesome symptoms, as well as the appropriate (and inappropriate) use of interventions.

5 – “Beautiful Babies: Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy, Breast-feeding, and Baby’s First Foods“

Did you know that simple changes in your diet could increase your fertility by 60%? Did you know that what you eat when you’re pregnant could affect whether or not your child grows up to need glasses or braces? Did you know that increasing your intake of certain nutrients prior to pregnancy could radically decrease your chances of having morning sickness?

In Beautiful Babies, nutrition educator Kristen Michaelis uncovers the truths about diet and pregnancy. Based on her research of the nutrient-rich diets of fertile populations around the world, she breaks down exactly what you should and shouldn’t eat while trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. The book discusses how soy can prevent pregnancy, how eating a low-fat diet can make you 85% more likely to be infertile, what to do if breastfeeding doesn’t work for you, how babies can’t digest cereal, and gives step-by-step instructions on how and when to introduce your baby’s first foods. Beautiful Babies lays out everything you need to know about having a healthy pregnancy and nourishing your growing baby.

What are books that you recommend as must-haves for pregnancy and birth?