Best Books for Pregnancy and Childbirth

I enjoyed the Best Pregnancy Websites article very much and it got me thinking about what I enjoyed most during pregnancy and what was the most helpful to me with both my children. So here is a list of the best books for Pregnancy and Childbirth and why I like them so much.

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer. This is one of the best books for sorting out myths from facts when it comes to pregnancy and childbirth. After all, any pregnant woman can tell you how quick people are to open their mouths and tell you what you should and should not do. And, as you'll see in this book, sometimes even doctors and hospitals have policies in place that are out dadteda nd contrary to what the research says is best. In this book, Henci shows you the actual research that has been done on a variety of topics such as; Cesarean, breech babies, inductions, Routine IV's during labor, electronic fetal monitoring and much more. She summarizes the research in a way that the average person can understand, and then lists all the medical journals and research articles on the given subject, giving you a place to start when talking with your doctor about your birth preferences.

The Birth Book: Everything You Need to Know to Have a Safe and Satisfying Birth by Dr. William and Martha Sears. This is one of the most balanced and informative books on pregnancy and childbirth I have ever read. Written by a pediatrician and a mother of eight you can be sure that it also includes lots of practical, hand's-on type of tips! There are three main sections; "Preparing for Birth", "Easing Pain in Labor", "Experiencing Birth". A well-written, often humorous book this is one of my favorites. Childbirth isn't easy, there is a reason they call it labor, however this book will give you lots of tools to choose from when you discover which one works best for you.