These are some of my favorite books on the subjects of birth, breastfeeding, birth coaching, newborns, etc!! It’s too hard to pick just one, but I’ll put a * by my favorites of the favorites.
Some of these will be readily available at any public library or for purchase from amazon or your other favorite website. If your childbirth educator or doula has a lending library, she also may have these available for you to borrow. These books are all in my lending library, available to my birth students and doula clients.
PREGNANCY & CHILDBIRTH
*Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
Ina May Gaskin - 2003
Ina May Gaskin is the nation’s leading midwife, running a renowned birthing community in Tennessee, called The Farm. My new personal favorite!! Everything you need to know to have the best birth experience for you - whether in a hospital, birthing center, or the comfort of home. The first ½ of the book is entirely positive, empowering birth stories. The second ½ is full of good, practical information that I have no seen elsewhere.
The Birth Book
William Sears, MD & Martha Sears, RN - 1994
Everything you need to know to have a safe & satisfying birth. Practical advice needed to plan a safe & joyful birthing experience.
Birthing From Within
Pam England, CNM, MA & Rob Horowitz, PhD - 1998
A new, extraordinary approach to childbirth education. Gives insight about what labor and birth will be like from her perspective, and pre-paration to be in labor and give birth as a mother, not as a trained para-professional.
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way
Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg - 1984 and new edition 1996
Complete book on pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, etc. One of my personal favorites.
OpenSeason
Nancy Wainer Cohen - 1991
A survival guide for Natural Childbirth and VBACs. Great birth success stories and insight into the reality behind "medicalized" birthing today. The much anticipated sequel to Silent Knife
Obstetrical Myths vs. Research Realities
Henci Goer - 1995
A Guide to the medical literature. Their OWN research sheds light on common practices & beliefs within obstetrics. I WISH every doctor would read this book. How can they deny their own research? I don't know, but they routinely do. Is obstetrics an art or science? Your answer may not be the same after reading through this book.
*The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth
Henci Goer - 1999
Where Obstetrical Myths vs. Research Realities often left the lay person in the dust of medical research, The Thinking Woman’s Guide puts this same as well as updated, research into an easily understood format for families.
What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know
Gail & Tom Brewer
Diet myths are dispelled and little known facts are revealed. If you’re diagnosed with, or afraid of toxemia, pre-eclapsia or eclampsia, you NEED to read this book.
Active Birth
Janet Balaskas - 1992
In ‘Active Birth’ a mother moves about freely, finds comfortable positions for labor and delivery and seldom needs drugs or obstetrical interventions. Teachers modern mothers to develop all of their bodily resources for giving birth, to follow their own instincts, and to take full control of the childbirth experience
Birth Reborn
Michel Odent, MD - 1984
How childbirth can be what women want it to be & how mothers & babies both benefit from the experience. Written by the doctor who pioneered underwater birth in Pithivers, France.
The Complete Book of Pregnancy & Childbirth
Sheila Kitzinger - 1989
Great pictures. Includes a week by week guide on baby's development prenatally.
The Doula Book
Marshall H Klaus, MD, John H Kennell, MD, Phyllis H. Klaus, CSW, MFT - 2002
An update of the classic, Mothering the Mother.
BREASTFEEDING - these are all great….I’d check them out at the library and then pick the one that feels right for your family.
I highly recommend a copy of one of these breastfeeding books be on your bookshelf!!
Breastfeeding Your Baby - revised edition
Sheila Kitzinger - 1998
The complete guide for every new mother or mother-to-be who seeks the knowledge, encouragement, and self-confidence to breastfeed her baby.
The New Bestfeeding, Getting Breastfeeding Right For You
Mary Renfrew, Chloe Fisher & Suzanne Arms - 2000
The culmination of exhaustive research and decades of hands-on experience from 3 extraordinarily dedicated and internationally respected authors who bring a blend of academic knowledge, clinical expertise and practical skills to the book. Dozens of helpful photos & drawings that demonstrate all the Do’s and Don’ts of breastfeeding.
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers
Jack Newman, MD and Teresa Pitman - 2000
The most comprehensive problem-solution guide to breastfeeding from the foremost expert in North America. Every mother’s personal lactation consultant.
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
La Leche League International - 1987
Total guide to infant & childcare fully illustrated. Explains breastfeeding support, recognizing & solving breastfeeding problems, expressing your milk, solid foods, etc.
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COACHING/FATHERING
The Birth Partner
Penny Simkin - 1989
Everything you need to know to help a woman through childbirth. Excellent resource book. Does have some Lamaze breathing techniques that need to be weeded through, however. Enjoyed by every father who has read it.
Husband Coached Childbirth
Robert A. Bradley, MD - 1981
Pregnancy all the way through breastfeeding explained by Dr. Bradley himself.
SIBLING PREPARATION
Mom & Dad & I are Having a Baby
Maryann P. Malecki, RN - 1982
A book for children about childbirth written from a child's perspective. Line illustrations.
CHILDCARE/PARENTING
I recommend you have at least one book on the order of these for those middle of the night questions & cry sessions!
The Baby Book
William Sears, MD & Martha Sears, RN - 1993
Everything you need to know about your baby - from birth to age two.
* How to Raise A Healthy Child In Spite Of Your Doctor
Robert S. Mendelsohn, MD - 1984
Puts parents back in control of their children's health care. Controversial, but helpful to see other perspectives.
The No-Cry Sleep Solution
Elizabeth Pantley - 2002
Gentle ways to help your baby sleep through the night. Also a much better alternative to the rigid Ferber method.
WOMEN'S ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE
Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom
Christine Northrup, MD - 1998
Creating physical and emotional health and healing. A masterpiece for every woman who has an interest in her body, her mind and her soul.
Woman’s Experience of Sex
Sheila Kitzinger - 1983
The facts and feelings of female sexuality at every stage of life.
MEDICAL / HEALTH
The American Way of Birth
Jessica Mitford - 1992
A fascinating anthropological study about the how and under what circumstances Americans give birth.
Heart & Hands
Elizabeth Davis - 1987
A Midwife's guide to pregnancy & birth.
*Menopausal Years - The Wise Woman Way
Susan S. Weed - 1992
Alternative approaches for women 30-90.
VIDEOS
The Happiest Baby on the Block (DVD)
Harvey Karp, MD
The new way to calm crying and help your baby sleep longer. Great gentle ways to trigger the baby’s calming reflex.
Birth Into Being - The Russian Waterbirth Experience
Global/Maternal Child Health - 1999 - 28 minutes
A Russian Spiritual Midwife, and her filmmaker husband, recorded 5 totally natural, incredible waterbirths. Original footage takes you to witness families birthing in the Black Sea, and into their home to see the birth of their own babies in a hand made clear birthing pool. Scenes of children and babies swimming with dolphins will amaze you.
Born in the USA
PBS Documentary Special - 2001 - 1 hour
Circumcision: Whose Body, Whose Right?
PBS Documentary
The title says it all :).
Gentle Birth Choices
Barbara Harper - 46 minutes
Brilliantly demonstrates the power of a woman during childbirth.
Giving Birth: Challenges & Choices
Suzanne Arms - 1998 - 35 minutes
If you ever plan to have a baby or care about someone who will, this video takes you on a magical journey ~ one that may change your life. This video shows what is possible for 95% of all mothers and babies ~ who can, and should ~ birth normally.