Books
Pregnancy, Childbirth & The Newborn by Penny Simkin, PT, Janet Whalley, BSN, IBCLC, and Ann Keppler, MN
This well-known guide provides the comprehensive guidance you need to make informed decisions for a safe and satisfying pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. And, it is inclusive, reflecting today's various family configurations.
Pre-Parenting: Nurturing Your Child From Conception by Thomas R. Verny and Pamela Weintraub
How does a mother's tone of voice affect her unborn child? What role does stress play in the brain of an unborn child? What kind of music, if any, should a child be exposed to in the womb? Can parents influence their unborn child’s personality traits? Thanks to revolutionary discoveries in neuroscience and developmental psychology in recent years, we now know more about these questions than ever. In Pre-Parenting, Dr. Verny translates this research into practical advice for parents and parents-to-be.
Knowing what to eat during the different stages of your pregnancy can feel daunting. This book is a friendly, simple, resource for eating with confidence while pregnant. You’ll find a wide variety of ways to nourish your body and your baby, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, plus advice and tips for nausea, cravings, and other common pregnancy symptoms.
Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy by Angela Garbes
I highly recommend this book.
Like most first-time mothers, Angela Garbes was filled with questions when she became pregnant. What exactly is a placenta and how does it function? How does a body go into labor? Why is breast best? Is wine totally off-limits? To educate herself, the food and culture writer embarked on an intensive journey of exploration. With the curiosity of a journalist, the perspective of a feminist, and the intimacy and urgency of a mother, she explores the emerging science behind the pressing questions women have about everything from miscarriage to complicated labors, to the realities of postpartum care. The result is a visceral, full-frontal look at what’s really happening during those nine life-altering months, and why women deserve access to better care, support, and information.
Show Dad How: The New Dad’s Guide to Baby’s First Year by Shawn Bean
Help any new or expecting father become the coolest, smartest, and most prepared dad around with this fully illustrated, step-by-step guide to everything a dad needs to know from conception through baby’s first year. For dads who are excited to be involved with their new baby, but might not quite know where to start, this book is an ideal resource.
The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be by Armin A. Brott, and Jennifer Ash Rudick
This month-by-month guide gives you the facts and advice you need to understand your baby’s development, support your partner, and prepare for the joys and challenges of fatherhood. It concludes with two special sections: one on labor and delivery, and the other covering the first few months after your baby’s arrival.
In the United States, pregnancy and childbirth have evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry, overflowing with endless products and services. This sheer volume of information can easily lead to "cognitive crawl" and leave expectant families feeling overwhelmed.
Complicating this is the rise of social media influencers. While some offer helpful insights, many others promote advice rooted in anecdotal evidence rather than science, often driven more by monetary gain than your well-being. This can leave you choosing out of convenience rather than what truly serves your family’s best interests.
To help clear the mental clutter, I’ve curated a list of evidence-based books, articles, and other resources. I personally verify every item and update or add to them as new information becomes available.
If you have a trusted resource you’d like to see added, please reach out via the Contact page.
Curated Tools for Your Journey
Along with HypnoBirthing® - The Mongan Method book and class exclusive workbook, below is a curated list of materials that I have personally chosen that could help you along your pregnancy and birth journey.
Recommended Reading
Articles
How Hypnobirthing Can Help You Trust Your Body During Labor
HypnoBirthing® is a mindfulness technique that combines deep breathing, visualization, meditation, and hypnosis to help expectant mothers trust their bodies during labor. By reframing contractions as "uterine waves" or "surges," HypnoBirthing® promotes relaxation, reduces fear, and can lead to a more comfortable birthing experience.
The Power of Breathing: Benefits During Birth
Embracing focused breathing techniques during labor can significantly enhance your birthing experience by managing pain, reducing stress, and ensuring optimal oxygen flow to both you and your baby. By integrating these practices into your birth plan, you promote relaxation and facilitate a smoother, more comfortable delivery.
3 Things to Know About Pregnancy Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a valuable tool during pregnancy, allowing healthcare providers to monitor your baby's development and detect any abnormalities. However, it's important to understand that ultrasounds are typically necessary only when there's a medical concern, and routine use without specific indications may not be essential.
How to Massage Your Perineum and Why It Is Important
Perineal massage, starting around the 34th week of pregnancy, involves gently stretching the perineum to enhance its flexibility, potentially reducing the risk of tearing during childbirth. This practice not only prepares the perineal tissues, but also familiarizes expectant mothers with the stretching sensations of birth, contributing to a more comfortable and confident birthing experience.
Mom Calls Out the Way People Talk About Tearing During Childbirth
In this article, TikTok creator Jordan Simone, addresses the negative language often used when discussing perineal tears during childbirth, highlighting how terms like "disgusting" and "ruined" perpetuate harmful views of women's bodies. She emphasizes the importance of reframing the vocabulary, mindfulness techniques, and showing women how their amazing bodies were created for this. These conversations acknowledge the strength and resilience involved in childbirth, advocating for a more respectful and empowering dialogue.
Your Rights During Pregnancy, Labor, Birth and Beyond
As an expectant mother, it's essential to understand and advocate for your rights throughout your pregnancy journey. These rights include asking unlimited questions, receiving culturally competent and respectful care, expressing your emotions without guilt, challenging mistreatment, thoroughly considering your options before deciding, choosing or changing your maternity care team, aiming for a positive birth experience, providing informed consent, and retaining the ability to change your mind at any time.
Six Tips for Birthing Companions
As a birthing companion, your support profoundly influences the birthing experience. To prepare, consider attending a HypnoBirthing® course with your partner, fostering a positive mindset, maintaining a calm demeanor, offering verbal affirmations, creating a serene environment, and being fully present during labor and birth.
What New Parents Should Know Before Bringing Home Baby
Welcoming your newborn involves understanding key aspects of infant care, such as feeding, diapering, and sleep patterns. Newborns typically feed every two to four hours, produce several wet and soiled diapers daily, and sleep in short intervals, waking frequently to eat. It's also important to monitor their weight, as it's normal for newborns to lose 5 to 8 percent of their birth weight initially, with most returning to their birth weight within a week or two. Additionally, caring for the umbilical cord stump by keeping it dry and exposed to air until it falls off naturally in about seven to ten days is crucial.
The Postpartum Support Checklist That's Going Viral
In a viral article, a mom shares a thoughtful checklist to help partners support new mothers during the postpartum period, including tasks like keeping her water bottle filled, washing pump parts, labeling and freezing breast milk, cooking meals, and tending to the baby so mom has time for self-care. These actions can significantly ease a new mother's recovery and transition into parenthood.
Pumping Breast Milk 101: Breastfeeding & Pumping
Pumping breast milk allows you to provide nourishment for your baby even when you're apart, helping maintain your milk supply and offering flexibility in feeding. To ensure a smooth experience, it's essential to establish a consistent pumping routine, use the appropriate equipment, and practice proper storage techniques for expressed milk.
Websites
NATIONAL MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH HOTLINE
(833)852-6262 (USA Only)
Speak with someone immediately (English & Spanish)
NATIONAL CRISIS & SUICIDE LIFELINE (USA & CANADA)
Immediate help in a crisis @ 988
THEBUMP.COM
I highly recommend this website.
Stage-by-Stage Content: Expert advice covering fertility, pregnancy, birth, and baby care
Empowering Tools: Real-life guidance, time-saving tools, product research, and safety alerts
Inclusive Community: A supportive platform for all families navigating early parenthood
Mobile App: Daily insights, tips, and stories delivered straight to your phone
POSTPARTUM.NET
Post-Partum Support International
Links for local services
Assessment tools
Tolls for partners & other support people
Helpline (800)944-4773 (Call or Text)
POSTPARTUMPROGRESS.COM
Well-written blog on variety of topics relating to post-partum adjustment and mood disorders
PERINATALSUPPORT.ORG (WASHINGTON STATE)
(888)404-7763 (Warm Line)
Toll-free peer support
Find Washington State support groups, providers, & resources
POSTPARTUMMEN.COM
For the 1 in 7 partners who experience some level of postpartum anxiety or depression. Find the support to get answers and get your life back on track.
Support
Empowering families through HypnoBirthing® education.
Contact Info
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