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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Best Popular Pregnancy Books
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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).
Best Pregnancy Books for Dads and Partners
Non-birth partners need support too. Grounded in scientific research, this empathetic book focuses on the emotional and psychological journey of expectant partners.
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.
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.
Best Pregnancy Books on Nutrition and Wellness
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.
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.
These pregnancy-safe exercises will help you stay active with guidance from a prenatal/postpartum fitness trainer.
Best Books for BEFORE You're Expecting
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.
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.
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.
