Best Pregnancy Books

Updated on
January 4, 2024

Best Pregnancy Books

A pregnancy book can help you learn all about growing a baby, and there’s a book for every personality.

By Amylia Ryan

Babylist editors love baby gear and independently curate their favorite products to share with you. If you buy something through links on our site, Babylist may earn a commission.

Best Pregnancy Books.

Expecting parents don’t have built-in knowledge of everything that happens when growing a baby. Quite the opposite, in fact—if your first baby is on the way, unless you have experience in obstetrics or midwifery, you probably don’t know the details of all the growth and changes both you and baby are experiencing.

That’s where pregnancy books come in. From month-by-month to week-by-week and even very detailed day-by-day guides, pregnancy books keep you up-to-speed on all the physical changes baby is going through, plus support for the physical, emotional and psychological journey you’re going through as an expecting parent. Plus, unlike a pregnancy app, which are great for things like counting pregnancy weeks, they give you a fuller look at what’s going on.

And there are a lot of pregnancy books out there. Whether you’re looking for straightforward facts from reputable medical sources, humorous anecdotes and support from experienced parents or anything in between, there are pregnancy books 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.

Best Pregnancy Books by Medical Professionals

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Your Pregnancy and Childbirth: Month to Month

This month-by-month overview comes directly from the ACOG and is packed with all the advice your medical care team will tell you during your prenatal appointments.

amazon.com$13.79

Pregnancy Day by Day: Count Down Your Pregnancy Day by Day with Advice from a Team of Experts.

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.

amazon.com$37.20

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, 2nd Edition: 2nd Edition: Fully Revised and Updated.

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, 2nd Edition: 2n...

This reference book isn't too cumbersome or burdened by details about everything that could go wrong. Authoritative, accurate information about your pregnancy from a reputable source, and it includes a 40-week pregnancy calendar and a symptoms guide.

amazon.com$12.29

Best Popular Pregnancy Books

Chronicle Books Nurture.

Chronicle Books
Nurture

Written by doula Erica Chidi, Nurture walks you through the months of your pregnancy and the early postpartum phase in a comforting, non-condescending way. A nice balance of hippie and brass tacks advice, this book is a welcome addition to pregnancy lit.

Bumpin': The Modern Guide to Pregnancy: Navigating the Wild, Weird, and Wonderful Journey From Conception Through Birth and Beyond.

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 little humor now and then.

amazon.com$10.99

Penguin Random House Expecting Better.

Penguin Random House
Expecting Better

For expecting parents who love data, this book reviews and evaluates pregnancy health studies with the goal of giving objective information so you can make informed decisions about pregnancy risks. Sometimes the “rules” of pregnancy aren’t black and white.

Best Humorous Pregnancy Books

Sh!t No One Tells You About Pregnancy.

Sh!t No One Tells You About Pregnancy

Sometimes humor 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.

amazon.com$15.99

The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy - Paperback.

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.

amazon.com$10.38

The Big Fat Activity Book for Pregnant People.

The Big Fat Activity Book for Pregnant People

Sometimes you need a break from all the info that comes with being pregnant. 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).

amazon.com$10.99

Best Pregnancy Books for Dads and Partners

The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be.

The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be

Non-birth partners need support too. Grounded in scientific research, this empathetic book focuses on the emotional and psychological journey of expectant partners.

amazon.com$14.36

The Birth Partner 5th Edition: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and Other Labor Companions.

The Birth Partner 5th Edition: A Complete Guide to Childb...

While nearly all partner books are dad-focused, this title 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.

amazon.com$13.99

We're Pregnant! The First Time Dad's Pregnancy Handbook.

We're Pregnant! The First Time Dad's Pregnancy Handbook

As a practical overview of what pregnancy typically involves for both pregnant person and baby, this book is perfect for partners who are going into the parenting journey with little to no previous knowledge and want to start with a 101 course.

amazon.com$7.99

Best Pregnancy Books on Nutrition and Wellness

Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition.

Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optima...

Proper nutrition is a vital (yet confusing) part of growing a baby. In this pregnancy-guide-plus-cookbook, a registered dietitian cuts through the confusion and gives science-backed recommendations on what foods are best for your pregnancy.

amazon.com$26.96

Drinking for Two: Nutritious Mocktails for the Mom-To-Be.

Drinking for Two: Nutritious Mocktails for the Mom-To-Be

Alcohol is a pregnancy no-no, so here’s a way to celebrate any special occasion (or just a regular evening) with a drink in your hand while pregnant. These non-alcoholic mocktails are nutritious, delicious and may even taste like your favorite cocktail.

amazon.com$13.79

Bumps and Burpees: Your Guide to Staying Strong, Fit and Happy Throughout Pregnancy.

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.

amazon.com$19.99

Best Books for BEFORE You're Expecting

Baby Making for Everybody: Family Building and Fertility for LGBTQ+ and Solo Parents.

Baby Making for Everybody: Family Building and Fertility ...

Building a family often looks different for LGBTQIA+ parents and solo parents. This all-inclusive book aims to demystify the processes of sperm & egg donors, surrogates, IUI/IVF/ICI procedures, fostering and adoption.

amazon.com$15.11

It Starts with the Egg: How the Science of Egg Quality Can Help You Get Pregnant Naturally, Prevent Miscarriage, and Improve Your Odds in IVF.

It Starts with the Egg: How the Science of Egg Quality Ca...

Knowing your exact chances of getting pregnant is almost impossible, but this research-packed book can help you understand the science of fertility and improve your odds, even if you experience fertility challenges like PCOS and endometriosis.

amazon.com$17.96

Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 20th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health.

Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 20th Anniversary Edition...

For nearly 30 years, this book. has been helping people improve their fertility in natural, simple ways. Covering everything from common fertility challenges and hormones to natural birth control, this book has been a pre-pregnancy go-to for generations.

amazon.com$18.35

Amylia Ryan

Associate Editor

Amylia Ryan is the Associate Editor at Babylist, specializing in the topics of health, wellness and lifestyle products. Combining a decade of experience in writing and editing with a deep passion for helping people, her number one goal in her work is to ensure new parents feel supported and understood. She herself is a parent to two young children, who are more than willing to help product test endless toys, books, clothes, toiletries and more.

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and review products, as well as the Babylist Health Advisory Board.

Keep your pregnancy on track. One email a week.