Books I Like
*** Must read books
Pregnancy/Birth Books:
***Boswell, Shanicia Oh Sis, You’re Pregnant!: The Ultimate Guide to Black Pregnancy & Motherhood (For New Moms)
***Buckley, Sarah Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering
THE book to read. From prepregnancy planning through to mothering. A must read!
Bruce, Elizabeth Get Through Childbirth in One Piece!: How to Prevent Episiotomies and Tearing
Includes stories by birthing women
Cancellaro, Cecelia A. Pregnancy Stories
Meant to serve as an experiential companion to the many clinical pregnancy books on the market by allowing women to speak for themselves about pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum period
Clunis, D. Merilee The Lesbian Parenting Book: A Guide to Creating Families and Raising Children
Cohen, Nancy Wainer and Lois Estner Silent Knife
A must read for VBAC’ing women
Doman, Regina Angel in the Waters
A great book from your unborn baby’s perspective, through birth
Gaskin, Ina May Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
In this Guide to Childbirth, Gaskin deals with the changes in modern OB and offers ways to get around the routines. But she once again relies on her story-telling techniques for getting across her central message: If you’re surrounded by people who believe you can do it and who support your own belief that you can do it, then guess what? You can do it. – Peggy Vincent, author, Baby Catcher
Gaskin, Ina May Spiritual Midwifery
Reading the birth stories in this book will show you just how normal natural birthing is.
Goer, Henci The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth
Make informed decisions. This book will give you the information you need.
Hagger-Holt, Sarah Pride and Joy A Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Parents
Kellman, Brittany Tru A BLACK WOMAN’S GUIDE TO HOME BIRTH: FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES OF COLOR AND THE BIRTH WORKERS WHO SERVE THEM
Goldberg, Susan And Baby Makes More: Known Donors, Queer Parents, and Our Unexpected Families
Kitzinger, Sheila Birth Your Way
Why you would want to choose to have an out-of-hospital birth.
Oparah, Julia, et al Battling Over Birth: Black Women and the Maternal Health Care Crisis
Overend, Jenni Welcome with Love
A beautiful book to help prepare your child for the birth of his/her sibling.
Romm, Aviva Jill The Natural Pregnancy Book
One of my go-to reference books. Herbs, Nutrition, and Other Holistic Choices.
***Verny, Dr. Thomas Pre-Parenting: Nurturing Your Child from Conception
A great book about relating with your unborn baby. Verny is a psychiatrist and founder of the Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology Association of America.
Wagner, Marsden Born in the USA: How a Broken Maternity System Must Be Fixed to Put Women and Children First
Released in 2006, this book provides the inside scoop on the obstetric community and hospital birthing and why birthing in a hospital is the way it is today. His authority to uncover this information is as an insider: his experience includes a career as a Perinatologist (obstetrics and neonatology); NIH Scholar (scientist); Public Health Specialist; and former Director of Women’s and Children’s Health, World Health Organization.
Weed, Susun Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
A great book on natural remedies to treat some of the physical aspects of pregnancy, like nausea. It also provides remedies for conception and for the newborn.
West, Jennifer The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Natural Childbirth
A midwife helps expecting mothers decide how natural they want their labor to be, what birthing methods are available, and the type of professional they want present. It helps women weigh factors, prepare mentally, make important decisions, and plan ahead for successful delivery and beyond. Jenny is a certified professional midwife and certified hypno-birthing childbirth educator.
***West, Jennifer The Natural Healing Power of the Placenta
A must read for the mom to be. The placenta helps us in so many ways during our post partum time. Jenny discusses the benefits of the placenta and how to reap those benefits.
***Wirth, Dr. Frederick Prenatal Parenting
You are a parent the moment you conceive your baby.
***Young, Miquilaue Mama Says Homebirth
A beautiful story of an inquisitive young girl as she learns about the legacy of homebirth within her family and the importance of a midwife. Filled with beautiful, realistic illustrations and a poetic flow, it’s a story to be enjoyed by all.
Breastfeeding/Childhood
Fallon Morell, Sally The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care
You’re not going to want to miss this one.
Gaskin, Ina May Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding
Her breastfeeding book
La Leche League International The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
La Leche League’s breastfeeding book
Logan, Janine Free to Breastfeed: Voices of Black Mothers
***Mendelsohn, Robert S. How to Raise a Healthy Child: In Spite of Your Doctor
By a pediatrician, a book that you need to read early in pregnancy. Discusses interventions, starting from gestation and continuing through childhood.
Renfrew, Mary, Chloe Fisher (Contributor), Suzanne Arms (Contributor). Bestfeeding: Getting Breastfeeding Right for You
One of the best books for breastfeeding.
Others
Barnes, Broda Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness
This doctor’s findings in his practice are so helpful in learning about hypothyroidism, which is more prevalent and an underdiagnosed condition.
Batmanghelidj, F Your Body’s Many Cries for Water
This is a must read for everyone – whether you are healthy or not. For me, I am now off of my asthma medication that I have been on nearly my whole life!
Kohn, Alfie Unconditional Parenting
This book really makes you think – read it with an open mind – I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
Jackson, Deborah With Child: Wisdom and Traditions for Pregnancy, Birth and Mothering
A fascinating book covering worldwide cultural traditions surrounding pregnancy, birth, and parenting.
***Lee, John MD. What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About Menopause – the information on progesterone cream is pertinent to fertility, pregnancy and post partum – not just menopause.
Shames, Richard Thyroid Power: Ten Steps to Total Health
Many of us are hypothyroid and do not even know it. Most mainstream practitioners still rely on testing that just does not diagnose the condition. This doctor’s information corroborates Dr. Barnes’ finding.
Vincent, Peggy Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife
Includes home and hospital birth stories from this midwife’s point of view.
