A Pregnancy Reading List

1) Wanting to be as prepared as possible, 2) being a reader anyways, I've been reading several books on pregnancy and birth. Now, I do realize that as much as I read and prepare, I can't possibly be ready for everything. I can't eliminate complications just by being educated and prepared. But I still think that "knowledge is power," so I've been reading. Especially as Justin and I want to do everything as natural as possible, since that is how we feel God intended and is right for us, we are trying to prepare towards that end.

(Let me have a little side note: I firmly believe that everyone needs to do what they feel is best for them and their baby. For us, that's avoiding inducing labor, interventions, epidurals, etc. I realize that each mom has to make individual decisions on this. Heck, I might even change my mind when I am in the middle of the situation. Certainly when I write about trying to have a natural birth, I'm not dogging anyone who wants pain relief, or I would be in sore trouble with my sister, who has had two beautiful children and did use pain relief. Her kids are healthy, precious, and thriving. So, again, realize I will be writing from the perspective of wanting a natural birth, but that I think each woman has to make her own decisions about this.)

Starting off, I borrowed a few books that give good overviews of pregnancy and birth.

• What to Expect When You're Expecting by Heidi Murkoff - a classic, easy-to-read, question and answer format that allows you to find the info you need quickly; mainstream in terms of medical interventions during labor.
• Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month-to-Month from the American College of OBGYN's- I was given this by my doctor at my first prenatal checkup, and it goes into detail with illustrations for each month. Doesn't advocate for natural childbirth, but isn't necessarily against it.
• The Complete Illustrated Pregnancy Companion by Robin Weiss - This book isn't as comprehensive, but gives perhaps more of the emotional side of things, social preparation. Don't buy it, borrow it. I saw multiple typos.

As a runner, I really appreciated the following:

• Exercising Through Your Pregnancy by James Clapp- The idea is to keep up whatever you did before you were pregnant, but not start something new or uncomfortably challenging. Exercise is good for you during pregnancy, unless some health concern is addressed by your doctor. Lots of research and evidence behind this book.

On birth, I read the following:

• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin- This book has some great natural birth stories in the first half of the book, and the last half goes into the birth process itself. It is probably the best book I read because it respects the fact that God designed the woman's body to give birth. Birth is empowering and does not have to be feared. Much of medical society today tries to instill fear into birth, and then interventions are overused. A must-buy, must-read book.
• Husband-Coached Childbirth by Robert Bradley- Oh, please, read this book! I loved how it really is written to husbands, giving them knowledge to be able to coach their wives through natural birth. I want my husband by my side the whole time, and this book gives not just the birth process, but what to do before birth the make labor better. We actually did The Bradley Method childbirth classes after reading this book because we loved the philosophy of the husband being so involved.
• Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper (DVD with 6 births included)- If you are thinking about a water birth, home birth, or natural birth in a hospital, this is a great book. The DVD with video of births is somewhat dated in the styles, but who cares? The birth process hasn't changed. My husband and I watched the video together and it was great. Borrow from the library.

Also good choices, though the three mentioned above would be my recommendation if you don't have much time:

• Orgasmic Birth by Elizabeth Davis -All about enjoying childbirth instead of focusing on pain; good birth stories are included. Again, this book empowers women instead of instilling fear in the process.
• Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein This book is written by the same people that produced The Business of Being Born. Investigates current medical practice surrounding birth and choosing a birth that is right for you.  
• Labor of Love: A Midwife's Memoir by Cara Muhlhahn - Has some very interesting stories of her midwife experiences especially towards to end of the book; you could skim most of the first half. She was one of the midwives featured in the aforementioned The Business of Being Born.  
• The Doula Guide to Birth by Amanda Lowe- It has helpful charts/reference pages; might convince you to get a doula.
• The Official Lamaze Guide by Judith Lothian- Another birthing method, similar to Bradley in some ways. It's not just about breathing anymore; they have expanded their philosophy.
• The Dad's Playbook to Labor and Birth by Theresa Halvorsen- An easy read for the fathers who are busy and want the basics to be able to help their wives.

While many of these books overlap ideas, I always find something new or interesting in each. I think the point in reading is preparation, because preparation eases fear. I tell you right away that reading all of these books have helped me not to fear. Certainly I still worry about complications, but from reading so many birth stories, natural birth stories, I am much more confident. God made my body to give birth. There will be pain, but I don't have to fear it. In my mind, I keep likening it to training for my half-marathon. I didn't like the 10-mile long runs....my body hurt, I wanted to stop. But I accomplished something big in the long run. That's what I'm telling myself about birth. It will be worth it!

Now, won't it be interesting after birth to hear what happened? I can only prepare so much, and I humbly admit that!