There are so many books on the market for pregnancy and childbirth, it can make your head spin.  I asked my friends on Facebook and Twitter to share their favorites. For the most part, these books are evidence-based resources that support normal birth. As can be seen by the number of books repeated by these great ladies, many agree on the same books!

@dfsq – “Pregnancy and Birth: The Best Evidence: Making Decisions that are Right For You and Your Baby” by Teresa Pitman & Joyce Barrett, “The Mother of All Pregnancy Books” by @anndouglas, “The Pregnancy (or) Birth Book” by William & Martha Sears. More important tho is to make sure moms NEVER, EVER read “What to Expect” – our hospital even says NO!!! to that one!

@Aaine – The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin, Thinking Womans’ Guide To a Better Birth by Henci Goer.., and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin are at the top of a very…*very* long list!

@MountainLaura – The Birth Partner. Hands down the most helpful book on the planet. Also: Gentle Birth Choices. Second most helpful book.

@swamibaby – not expert, but i like The Birth Partner: Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman Through Childbirth

@naturalmommy – anything by Ina May Gaskin, Pushed by Jennifer Block

@SweetHomeBirth – Birthing From Within, Dr.Sears Pregnancy Book, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Barbara Harper’s Gentle Birth

@MagicalDays – My favorite pregnancy books are The Pregnancy Book by Dr. Sears, Beautiful Bountiful Blissful by Gurmukh and all by Ina May.

Darien on Facebook – Not sure I’m an expert, but my favorite books are Birthing from Within by Pam England and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. Both helped me get through a 30 hour long HBAC.

Cindy Lou on Facebook – I have to agree on those books (suggested by Darien). I also like the Thinking Womans Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer and PUSHED by Jennifer Block.

Brandy on Facebook – I agree w/ the above recomendations.I would also add. Sears-Birth Book, Mongon- HypnoBirthing , Hawk- Hey! Whose having this baby anyways? Getting Ricki Lakes new book this weekend so we’ll see if it makes the list ;-D

Kimberly on Facebook – Love “The Birth Partner”

Shelly on Facebook – Anything from Ina Mae, Henci Goer, and Sears.

Kristen on Facebook – Sheila Kitzinger’s Complete book of Pregnancy and Childbirth, Our Bodies Our Selves Pregnancy and Birth, Ina May Gaskin’s Spiritual Midwifery, and I’m looking forward to reading Ricki Lake’s new book, so stay tuned on that one…

Kelly on Facebook – Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth- The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth

Michelle on Facebook – Also Sarah Buckley’s Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering

Tags: books about birth, books about pregnancy, doula tips, ina may gaskin, Pregnancy and Birth, ricki lake, spiritual midwifery

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