5 Must Read Pregnancy Books If You’re Expecting Your First Baby

As a first time parent, you might be feeling excited and are probably on the constant lookout for expert advice and resources. 

From clinical details to breastfeeding a baby, you want to know how to do everything right. Especially if you live in a nuclear family and don’t have someone to ask questions about pregnancy, books about pregnancy and baby care can be your best guide

We understand new mums need to be informed about all the dos and don’ts of pregnancy, hence we’ve listed five handpicked pregnancy books, that offer information on everything to do with pregnancy; tried and tested tips for each trimester of the pregnancy, weekly growth and changes of the baby growing inside you, and also some much needed medical information regarding pregnancy.

Pregnancy Books To Read For First Time Moms

1. What to Expect When You’re Expecting

by Heidi Murkoff

This book is for the mums-to-be who are looking for a comprehensive guide. The book has been adapted into a film because of its popularity and in-depth explanations about body changes during pregnancy and also the baby that is growing inside you. 

Pregnancy leads to changes in the body physically. Whether it’s cramps, heartburn or sleeplessness, this book has a guide on it all. It’s like having your bestie who guides you through each stage.

The book also includes information on the weekly developments of the baby and is useful for dads to get hands-on information too. 

2. The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality

by Kimberly Ann Johnson

The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality guides you through your fourth trimester which is after you’ve given birth. 

This book is a comprehensive guide on ways to care for yourself during the early months of childbirth. It prepares you physically and mentally for what’s coming in the months ahead while giving you tips to follow healthy practices.

3. Twelve Hours’ Sleep by Twelve Weeks Old: A Step-by-Step Plan for Baby Sleep Success

by Suzy Giordano and Lisa Abidin

This is a complete guide for you to get through those sleepless nights. It has tips on how to comfort your baby, and tips on helping the baby sleep like a baby! One of the biggest issues for infants is sleeping through the night and this book tells you how you can make your baby sleep twelve hours a day by the time she turns 12 weeks old. Not only that, this book has information on how you can catch up on your sleep every day too.

4. Your Pregnancy Week by Week, What to Expect From Conception To Birth

By Professor Lesley Regan

If you are looking for someone to be real when it comes to pregnancy and baby, this is your go-to book.  The author has penned down her personal pregnancy experiences. 

It gives extensive week-by-week information about what is happening to you and your baby.  It prepares you thoroughly for each stage of pregnancy and what you can expect right until you give birth.

5. The Pregnancy Countdown Book: Nine Months of Practical Tips, Useful Advice, and Uncensored Truths

by Susan Magee, Kara Nakisbendi

The book covers every milestone that takes place in the 280 days period. This is another book that has helpful advice from mothers, doctors, and a lot of personal experiences that other books do not talk about.

The book gives out all the uncensored details that happen during the nine months of pregnancy. It will also help you ask relevant questions to your doctor. It is not as extensive as other books which makes it a quick read. The book further has illustrations to help you visualize your baby and the best thing is it filled with humour because of the unfiltered comments and experiences.

While there is no right way to raise a child, each day there will be new things to learn as your baby grows but these pregnancy books for first-time moms will provide you with the answers that you may sometimes need as a new mum.