Seeing two treasured stripes on a pregnancy test, a woman asks a number of questions. How to make a healthy baby? What to eat? How to avoid illness? How to deal with pain? Of course, the doctor should tell about all this, but because of every little thing that appears in the head, it is foolish to disturb a specialist. Of course, you can find information on the Internet, but there is a better way. Today we’ll talk about which books to read pregnant! In them, psychologists, doctors and experienced mothers will interestingly and in detail tell about all the difficulties and delights of the next nine months! In the proposed top 10 books for expectant mothers, you will definitely find the right edition.
"What to expect when you wait"
This book for pregnant author Heidi Murkoff has gained unprecedented popularity. Based on her motives, a comedy drama was even filmed in 2012. Here, all the sensations that are usually inherent in pregnant women are described in great detail, the changes that occur in the female body over nine months are described. In addition, in this book, the author speaks in detail about the stages of development of the fetus in each week. It is worth noting that the book is divided into three parts. In the first, Heidi Murkoff writes about pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. The second part is dedicated to caring for a child of the first year of life. Well, the third part of this book for pregnant women contains extremely useful information for parents whose children are from one to three years old: from here you can get information not only about the baby's developmental levels, but also about the difficulties that may arise in the process of caring for the child and his upbringing.
In reviews of the book for pregnant women, readers say: here you can find the answer to almost any question. The encyclopedia is written in simple language. Its only drawback can be called a lot of weight.
“Birth without fear”
The second place in our ranking of books for pregnant women is occupied by “Childbirth without fear”. Posted by Grantley Dick Reed. From the stories of mothers, girlfriends and other acquaintances of the ladies, every woman from an early age knows: childbirth is always insanely painful. This fear simply paralyzes expectant mothers, and therefore they are not able to enjoy their pregnancy. What to do? Is childbirth possible without pain and fear? How to find the right attitude? The answers to questions are known by the English doctor Grantley Dick Reed. His book for pregnant women is a real revolution in medicine! This doctor is today considered the father of the natural birth method. Future mothers who met with the publication, unanimously say - it incredibly helped them in the process of childbirth. This process took place with them, not only without fear, but also almost painlessly, allowing them to enjoy the birth of a child.
It is worth noting that this unique work could not have been published if it had not been for Jessica, the wife of Grantley Dick Reed. It was Jessica who saved the doctor’s manuscript from fire when he decided to destroy everything he wrote. This happened after Dick Reed met unprecedented resistance in medical circles. Then he was forced to leave England and go to South Africa. And all this accompanied by his wife. She also introduced a doctor to the Marymount Maternity Hospital, where Dick Rick’s success in delivering a virtually painless birth allowed Grantley to become a role model all over the world! When the doctor was unable to work with each patient individually (there were so many!), Jessica managed to organize prenatal training classes. So we can say with confidence that the fact of the existence of both a book for pregnant women and prenatal preparation, we owe to this amazing woman - Jessica Dick Reed.
"The reborn birth"
The author of this book for pregnant women, Michel Oden, a doctor from France, is convinced that every woman is unique not only psychologically, but also physically. And he is firmly convinced that modern medicine, which imposes traditional births on expectant mothers, provides them with a disservice. This doctor says that women should give birth in those poses that are most convenient for them, and the very place where the baby was born should be comfortable, resemble a house, and not inspire horror.
Why should expectant mothers read a book by this author? Let's say a few words about Michelle. His initial specialization was general surgery. The doctor’s competence also included a surgical operation such as cesarean section. It was she who aroused in Michel Oden an interest in the physiology of childbirth. This led to the fact that the doctor became the founder of the tradition of water birth, which today is the norm in Western obstetrics. The book “Revived Birth” was published in 1984, has been translated into 13 languages and is still being published. On the pages of the publication, the author describes his medical practice as an obstetrician surgeon in the hospital of the town of Pitivier, in France. His team had six midwives. Together with them, Michelle received annually about 1000 deliveries per year, having managed to achieve excellent statistics with an unprecedentedly low percentage of doctor interventions. A large number of Dr. Auden's methods were embodied in Russian maternity hospitals, but this does not mean that modern mothers will not be able to find something interesting and useful in this publication.
"Caesarean section: a safe exit or a threat to the future?"
Michelle Auden, another book for pregnant and expectant mothers, is intended for women who will undergo such surgical intervention. In this publication, the author examines in detail the history of the appearance of Caesarean section and analyzes the changes that have occurred over 50 years (this allows you to do a huge medical practice). Auden says: in our time, society has become accustomed to the idea that childbirth through surgery is the most safe and easy process. According to statistics, today every fourth baby in the world is born like this. Dr. Michel Oden argues that such an intervention can affect the physical and mental health of the child.
"Waiting for the baby"
Among the best books for pregnant women are the work of Martha and William Sears. The authors are spouses, parents of eight children, adherents of natural childbirth. They talk about how to cope with ailments and toxicosis, what physical exercises can be done by expectant mother, what regimen of the day to choose. In addition, the book says about the nutrition of a pregnant woman, possible emotions, fatigue and anxiety. Martha and William pay a lot of attention to bad habits and environmental influences. Women who are familiar with the book are recognized - the publication helped maintain harmonious relationships in the family. Information on the basics of skin and hair care for nine months has not become superfluous.
Book Reviews
The book covers absolutely all aspects of the life of a future mother. The authors give tips on how to spend the last days at the workplace, whether to drive a car, how to relate to the advice and stories of others. In addition, a selection of breathing exercises, stretching exercises awaits ladies in an interesting position. In their reviews, readers from Russia say that the book teaches relaxation, allows you to tune psychologically. Among the shortcomings, it is noted that not all the recommendations of Martha and William Sears can be implemented in post-Soviet realities.
“To give birth and be reborn”
One of the best books for expectant mothers and pregnant women can safely be called a publication on which seven Dutch authors worked! It was published in Russian in 2000 and has still not lost its relevance. Readers say that the main advantage that distinguishes this book from others is that it is written in the form of a frank conversation with a friend. The book consists of three parts. The first talks about changes in the body. The authors write about various “side effects” of pregnancy, for example, nausea, varicose veins, etc. Here you can also find information on how to take care of yourself: recommendations are given on nutrition, the choice of vitamins, and the topic of bad habits is also mentioned.
The second part is devoted to the birth process itself, the first hour after the birth of the baby. The authors also say what to do if everything did not happen at all as a woman expected. The third part of the publication talks about motherhood, possible problems that arise when caring for a newborn. The book is completed by real stories of women.
“Birth without injuries”
Speaking about the best books for pregnant women and expectant mothers, one cannot but say about the book of the obstetrician-gynecologist, a member of the presidium of the Association of Perinatal Psychology, Marina Svechnikova, entitled "Childbirth without injuries." The author says that she was simply struck by the number of injuries that children receive during childbirth. This cripples life not only for babies, but also for their parents. Marina Svechnikova assures - this huge figure can be reduced! In her book, she talks about what needs to be done in order for a child to be born healthy!
Readers note in their reviews - there are a lot of sensible recommendations in the book. Moreover, it is filled with love and poetry!
“Childbirth without pain and fear”
Women will surely like a book for pregnant women and mothers whose babies have already been born, entitled "Childbirth without pain and fear." Its author is the Frenchman Frederic Lebouyer, obstetrician-gynecologist, author of "medicine of tender birth." The doctor says: a child must come to our world with love and without violence. For these purposes, Lebuyer proposes to dim the light in the delivery room, treat the newborn as gently as possible if he does not need any special medical measures.
Readers note - of course, the book talks about how to manage to make a healthy baby, but still the main theme of the publication is to ensure the happy first minutes of a child’s life. The fact is, the author writes, that it is precisely those conditions in which the baby is born that have a huge impact on his whole future life! Adults often think that babies do not know how to talk. Frederic Lebuyer is convinced of the opposite. He argues: adults can't hear! Why is the baby screaming? He does not like cold scales, the touch of hands in rubber gloves. But it could be different!
"Fitness for the expectant mother"
Probably, every woman who is expecting the birth of crumbs, heard at the consultation the advice from the doctor not to forget about light physical exercises. But what exercises should be done so as not to harm the baby? What will bring maximum benefits to the fetus and expectant mother? What to do if there is no opportunity to engage in sports centers and fitness clubs? Irina Smirnova, an experienced fitness trainer, will tell about all this. By the way, “Fitness for the expectant mother” is the best book for pregnant women and for mothers of newborns. The author’s technique, which includes elements of traditional perinatal gymnastics and fitball, will allow not only to remain beautiful and healthy for nine months and easy to give birth, but also quickly restore physical shape.
Readers note: the program of Irina Smirnova helps maintain muscle tone, get rid of pain in the lower back, gives self-confidence and harmony.
"Gymnastics for women waiting for a Miracle"
According to readers' reviews, this publication can be confidently called one of the most positive and bright books. The author - Svetlana Akimova says that not only the mental, but also the physical condition plays a huge role for the future mother. Stretching exercises are especially helpful! The book describes in detail (and shown in the photo!) The various exercises that are necessary to strengthen the abdominal muscles and spine. There are a number of exercises that should be performed when the baby in the uterus is located incorrectly.
To summarize
Of course, these ten books are far from a complete list of publications useful for expectant mothers. However, it is they who are recommended to be read by women to whom they have proved useful. These books have become best sellers and have a huge amount of positive reviews. We hope that you will find a lot of useful information in them, and your pregnancy will become an unforgettable period in your life!