I am a resource hoarder. I love, love, love reading, and researching, and sharing information with others! I have been meaning to throw out some books (and links!) that encouraged me during my pregnancy. For those who might find themselves in a similar season of life, I hope these might be of use to you!
Pregnancy
The Pregnancy Journal: A Day-to-Day Guide, by Christine Harris
I found this book too late into my pregnancy to use well, but I definitely plan on using it next pregnancy. I like it because for each day of pregnancy, beginning from day one, it gives information about the growth and development of the baby. There is also a small spot for journaling if you so desire. Now, I know there are a mulitude of websites that can email you the same thing, and I actually used babycenter.com’s week-by-week emails, but I am the old-fashioned type that prefers books. I also just disovered there is also a Baby’s First Year: A Day-to-Day Guide and an out-of-print The Toddler Journal: A Week-by-Week Guide by the same author. I am adding both to my Amazon wishlist!
Pregnancy to-Do’s: A Book of Lists for Mom’s-to-Be, by Sara Lorimer
As an avid list-maker, this was right up my alley! Again, I did not actually make use of this during my pregnancy; I bought it for a friend. I made lists upon lists upon lists during my pregnancy, and it would have been much more convenient to have put them all in the same place: a tidy, spiral-bound notebook.
40 Weeks: A Devotional Guide to Pregnancy, by Jennifer Vanderlaan
This is another book I wish I would have discovered earlier in pregnancy. I especially needed a devotional that, one, met me where I was — pregnant! — and two, would keep me on track spiritually. I am a huge, huge fan of Jennifer Vanderalaan’s website, Birthing Naturally. I found so much encouragement and information there, and when I discovered she had written books, well, it was a given I’d buy her stuff.
Childbirth
Christian Childbirth Handbook, by Jennifer Vanderlaan
This was, hands down, the most helpful book in preparing my body and heart for labor and childbirth! I highly, highly recommend this book, especially if you are planning to have a non-medicated labor. Not only it is very factual and informative (so many times I would find myself thinking, ‘Wow, I never knew that!’), it also presents childbirth from a Biblical viewpoint, which, as a Christian, was wonderful and so helpful. At the end of each section, Jennifer also has challenging, ‘devotional’ type questions to ponder. Really, I could keep going on and on about this book. I am contemplating buying it for every one of my girlfriends who become pregnant, I recommend it that much. If you are a Christian, then you know that all aspects of your life are to be centered on Christ; your thoughts, attitudes, and choices should reflect the values and worldview presented in the Bible. I loved this book because it challenged the reader to take this conviction and apply it to pregnancy, labor, and childbirth. While this book has a definite leaning towards an unmedicated childbirth, it is not necessarily only for those who want to give birth naturally. The author is not heavy-handed about her personal viewpoints and gives no guilt-trips if you want a medicated childbirth; she simply encourages each woman to think through the motivations and reasons for why she may want to give birth the way she does and to have a peace about it with God. Even if you were planning a medicated birth, I’d still read it!
Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, by Susan McCutcheon-Rosegg
I borrowed this book for my pregnancy, and I plan on purchasing it for my next one. This was the first book I read about natural childbirth, and it played a large part in ‘convincing’ me to try it. There is a definite, definite opinion about what is the ‘best’ way to give birth, so if you are leaning towards epidurals, know going into reading it, they — along with the interventions that typically come along with an epidural — are not discussed favorably. Still, for those wanting to have a natural birth, it is definitely helpful, inspiring, and encouraging. I appreciate that the authors champion women who want to a natural birth: that it is definitely possible, that it can be rewarding, and that you can do it!
Christian Woman’s Guide to Childbirth, by Debra Evans
Another helpful book, which also presents childbirth from a Biblical viewpoint. Again, like the others, its audience is geared more towards those who want an unmedicated labor and delivery, though it would also be helpful for those even considering or open to the idea of natural birth. This book has a great deal of information about the physiological aspects of labor (which helped me tons!), but the author ties in nicely the spiritual side of labor. I think this book is currently out-of-print, but you can find it used on Amazon.
Lord of Birth, by Jennifer Vanderlaan
I’m a fan of Jennifer Vanderlaan’s devotions. She is Biblical, Christ-honoring, and well-written. This is yet another of her devotions, a small book to prepare your heart for labor.
