Books on Pregnancy, Childbirth, the Newborn and Mothering (Updated June 12, 2009)

The links to these books are not, in any form, a suggestion for you to buy from the seller. Rather, it is for me to give you accurate information so you can choose who you buy from. I’ve been adding books on parenting but I’d also like to get back to the descriptions of the books I’ve already linked to here.

“guides” to pregnancy and childbirth:

Birthing from Within by Pam England
Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
Really, anything by Sheila Kitzinger. This woman is amazing!
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Penny Simking et. al.
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
Spiritual Midwifery Ina May Gaskin
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
The Thinking womans guide to a better birth by Henci Goer – an excellent book with honest (some call her biased, I don’t) pros and cons within the birthing world. She advocates unmedicalized birthing but also points out cons to natural birth.

Scholarly and Historical looks at birth and birthing:

Birth: The surprising history of how we are born by Tina Cassidy
Birth as an American Rite of Passage
Obstetrical Myths vs Research Realities by Henci Goer
Born in the USA: How a broken maternity system must be fixed…

Birth stories:
Ina May’s books have stories, too, and are invaluable.
Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent was my favorite book during pregnancy. it hit the spot for what i needed. i really need to own this book. i started reading this when i was half way through my pregnancy, more or less.

Becoming a mother and the Newborn:
Mothering the Mother by Klaus- on doulas and what they do, how they help during labor
Mothering the new mother by Sally Placksin – your needs as a new mother
The Baby Book by Dr. Sears – general information on caring for your new baby from the folks that brought us the definition for attachment parenting. I don’t agree with his use of Tylenol but most of I
The year after childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger
Our babies, Ourselves by Meredith Small
Ourselves as mothers by Sheila Kitzinger

Mothering/Parenting books

Raising our children, raising ourselves by Naomi Aldort- The premise is that we are all born noble and should be treated with patience and understanding.

The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff- follows the author’s learning as she lives with stone-age Indians whose children are driven to cooperate, be polite and live in harmony, without cohersion (be it through screaming or gentle talk).

Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn- Giving love when our children do the things we like and showing annoyance and anger when they misbehave is conditional love. Unconditional love in parenting encompases a whole lot of work but it is worth it in the end.

You are my world by Amy Hatkoff- I include this book because everytime I read it I am overwhelmed with love for my kids (no matter what is going on) and I am driven to more closeness. Includes pictures of babies and children with quotes like: When you love me you teach me to love others. It’s a good book to soften the heart.

I’m still researching, reading and compiling a list of books on motherhood, the young child, etc. so bookmark this page and check back later.