Best Pregnancy Book

[MumsToBe]

Hi girls

My partner and I will be book shopping on thursday night and we know that there are hundreds of books out there, any suggestions?

MTB

[TreeTops]

I guess it depends on what you're looking for, ie how much you already know and what you want to learn.

I've heard a few people say the only book they read was Kaz Cook's 'Up The Duff' and they loved it. Personally I prefer a more scientific text-book style. I may still read Up The Duff at some stage, as I've heard it's pretty funny.

I've recently read Birth Right by Susan Ross, it's a very pro-midwife book, which suited me, but may not suit others. Being Australian it had some useful info on the hospital and public vs private systems which you wouldn't see in a book published in the UK or US.

I recommend you take a look at the Amazon website (my preference is for the .co .uk one) as they have a rating and review system.

Have fun shopping

[Devon]

I really like Up the Duff. I haven't read much else, but I can't stand What to expect when you're expecting, although I know other people who've found it useful. I think I just don't like its tone, and apparent focus on things that can go wrong.

Hope you have fun shopping!

Oh, and I see that you're in Perth - I went to Borders the other day - their pg and baby section is the biggest I've seen anywhere.

Wishing you a healthy and happy pregnancy!

[Baby Blue Eyes]

I have the up to duff and what to expect when you are expecting. I found the up to duff great for a week-to-week guide and what to expect was good to find the answers to any questions I had.

I am currently looking for a great book on gentle birthing

[bronners]

I have the up to duff and what to expect when you are expecting. I found the up to duff great for a week-to-week guide and what to expect was good to find the answers to any questions I had.

I am currently looking for a great book on gentle birthing

I have a few gentle birthing books that I found very helpful;

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering - Dr Sarah J Buckley
Spiritual Midwifery - Ina May Gaskin
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin (just picked this up and it is awesome, wonderful natural birth stories and strategies)

You would quite easily be able to get these from online bookstores, but might not be at your local shop.

I have Up the Duff but didn't really like it, yes it has good week by week development stuff for baby, but the info for mothers is a bit fear based and not very in depth when it comes to your options in pregnancy and birth. The author had a classic "downward spiral" of intervention leading to cesarean which is not very empowering to read (I felt sorry that for her that she was so uninformed about her choices and just blindly went along with the docs ideas).

[MantaRay]

Check out this: Recommended Reading List

I think a good pg book can be useful, but I wish I had done more reading about labour and birth first time around. I strongly recommend New Active Birth (details are in the reading list above). I read it before DS2 was born and it made such a difference. I had a great birth after reading that.

[Beach Mama]

Up the Duff is great for week to week, "my uterus is the size of a grapefruit" type info! but I second New Active Birth, it is a must read IMO. It is easy to read and understand. The other book that I have really loved is Labour of Love by Gabrielle Targett. Fantastic. For heavier reading but still excellent information on childbirth, The Thinking Womans Guide to a Better Childbirth!