The Best Pregnancy Books about Your Body and Your Baby
A pregnancy book can help you learn all about your growing baby and changing body, and there’s a book for every personality.
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Published Dec 19, 2024|Updated On Jan 14, 2025
Published Dec 19, 2024Updated On Jan 14, 2025
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When you’re pregnant (especially for the first time), you don’t automatically know everything that’s happening—that’s where pregnancy books come in.
Pregnancy books help keep you up to speed with how baby is growing and provide support for the physical, emotional and psychological journey you’re going through, too. Plus, unlike a pregnancy app, which are great for things like counting pregnancy weeks, books give you a much more detailed look at what’s going on.
And there are a lot of pregnancy books out there. Whether you’re looking for straightforward facts, a good laugh or anything in between, there’s a book for every personality. There are even books for non-pregnant partners to get support and advice on their own journey to parenthood.
Here are our favorite pregnancy books of all different types.
The Best Week-by-Week or Month-by-Month Pregnancy Books
Pregnancy Day by Day: Count Down Your Pregnancy Day by Da...
Written by a team of over a dozen medical professionals, this book provides the ultimate comprehensive look at pregnancy like only a DK book can—with detailed photographs, diagrams, charts and illustrations for every day of pregnancy.
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
Straight from a beloved reputable source, this pregnancy book provides approachable information while not being preoccupied with what could go wrong. It also includes a 40-week pregnancy calendar and a guide to your symptoms.
Bumpin': The Modern Guide to Pregnancy: Navigating the Wi...
Can’t decide between science-backed, straightforward medical advice and warm, approachable guidance? You’ll get the best of both from this book, plus a good laugh now and then.
What to Expect When You're Expecting (Updated in 2024)
Likely the most famous among pregnancy books, this classic guide has been trusted for decades for its comprehensive week-by-week insights and advice for everything from symptoms to prenatal appointments to childbirth.
The Best Funny Pregnancy Books
Sh!t No One Tells You About Pregnancy
Sometimes laughter is the best support system. Funny and informal while still being realistic, supportive and inclusive of many different pregnancy experiences, this is a great pick for a good laugh to help you through.
The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy
This book gives you all the info on pregnancy just like you were hearing stories from your hilarious, brutally honest, supportive BFF. The author's frank discussions of emotional insecurities can help you feel less pressure to have the “perfect” pregnancy.
The Big Fat Activity Book for Pregnant People
Sometimes you need a break from the info-dump. Instead, this book is filled with dozens of activities to add more joy and hilarity to the experience of being pregnant (and it’ll teach you a few things, too).
The Best Pregnancy Books for Partners
The Birth Partner 5th Edition: A Complete Guide to Childb...
While nearly all partner books are dad-focused, this book is inclusive of all types of birth partners. Note: This book focuses mainly on birth, with touches on the final weeks of pregnancy and the first few days postpartum.
We're Pregnant! The First Time Dad's Pregnancy Handbook
This practical pregnancy guide is perfect for partners who are stepping into the parenting journey for the first time. Full of real-world advice and checklists, it’s a great hands-on resource for staying involved throughout the pregnancy.
The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be
Grounded in scientific research, this empathetic book focuses on supporting the emotional and psychological journey of expectant partners.
The Best Pregnancy Books on Wellness and Nutrition
Bumps and Burpees: Your Guide to Staying Strong, Fit and ...
These pregnancy-safe exercises will help you stay active with guidance from a prenatal/postpartum fitness trainer.
Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optima...
Proper nutrition is a vital (yet sometimes confusing) part of growing a baby. In this pregnancy-guide-plus-cookbook, a registered dietitian cuts through the myths and gives science-backed recommendations on what foods are best for your pregnancy.
Chronicle Books
Nurture
Written by doula Erica Chidi, this pregnancy book prioritizes your own self-care through mindfulness exercises, nourishing recipes and empowering information that provides a holistic approach to pregnancy.
Cult-Favorite Pregnancy Books
Penguin Random House
Expecting Better
Combining research and data with relatable advice, Emily Oster, founder of ParentData, breaks down studies on pregnancy health and debunks pregnancy myths so you can feel empowered to make informed decisions.
Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdo...
Planning ahead for your parenting days? This modern classic gives a glimpse into French parenting, or “how to be involved without being obsessed.” It makes for a great read before baby’s arrival if you’re looking for a different cultural perspective.
The Best Early Parenting Books
Cribsheet
Another data-driven book from Emily Oster, this is a good one to read if you want help figuring out your parenting style before you even start parenting. Filled with expert research, Oster analyzes all the parenting options and debunks myths.
What to Expect the First Year (Updated in 2024)
The sequel to the pregnancy cult-favorite, this comprehensive guide can help you prepare for the newborn days as baby’s arrival draws near. The expert advice on baby care, milestones and infant health is extra valuable for first-time parents.
Precious Little Sleep: The Complete Baby Sleep Guide for ...
The stereotypical lack of sleep starts the day baby arrives, so it could be a good idea to learn about baby sleep strategies ahead of time. With advice on routines and challenges, this guide uses both practicality and laughter to set you up for success.
The Best Books about Childbirth
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Ina May Gaskin’s classic book approaches childbirth as a natural process that our bodies are specially designed for. Offering confidence, reassurance and positive birth stories, this is one to read to help quell any pre-labor anxiety.
Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month
From the experts of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this guide offers evidence-based guidance on labor and delivery. It covers what to expect during childbirth as well as tools and tips for postpartum recovery.
The Best Books for Postpartum
The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the...
It’s never too early to plan for your postpartum recovery, and this book can help. Blending ancient traditions with modern insights, it provides guidance on self-care, nutrition and healing to help you rest and thrive after childbirth.
The Honest Guide on Postpartum for New Moms
Featuring an unfiltered look at the reality of postpartum (including mood swings, loneliness and guilt), this book gives honest and actionable advice and support to help new parents navigate the tougher parts of the fourth trimester.
The Best Pregnancy Journals
Growing You: Keepsake Pregnancy Journal and Memory Book f...
With a beautiful design and plenty of writing space to answer the thoughtful prompts, this pregnancy journal is sure to be a cherished keepsake long after your pregnancy days are over. There’s even a pocket to hold documents and mementos.
The First-Time Mom's Pregnancy Journal: Monthly Checklist...
Full of inspiring quotes and prompts as well as free-writing pages and checklists, this journal helps you plan, record and reflect all in one space. It’s also full of colorful pages and whimsical illustrations to keep you inspired.
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