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Essential reads for doulas and parents to be
22
items Books about reproductive justice, pregnancy, postpartum and parenting that I think are essential reads for doulas, pregnant people and parents
Sections
6
Reproductive justice
Pregnancy/ birth
Postpartum
Pregnancy/ infant loss
Fertility
Parenting
Reproductive justice
Reproductive justice is the right to have children, not have children and parent the children we do have in a safe environment. It is what I believe the building blocks of being a doula should be and is important to understand when supporting familes
I was lucky to train with Sabia, a must read for reproductive justice
Birthing Liberation: How Reproductive Justice Frees
An essential in understanding reproductive justice and how it is weaved together with racism and ableism in our country
Killing the Black Body: Race & Reproduction
We are changed through pregnancy and birth this is a look on how
Matrescence: Pregnancy, Childbirth & Motherhood
Pregnancy/ birth
Books about prepping for birth, moving through pregnancy and supporting birthing people that have really helped me in my doula and parenting journeys
My #1 rec for prepping for birth
Transformed by Birth: Cultivating Openness & Strength
A book that helps quell all the what ifs that go through your mind during pregnancy
Why Did No One Tell Me This? The Doulas' Guide
A mandatory read for supporting someone giving birth
The Birth Partner 5th Ed: Guide for Dads & Labor Companions
Supporting survivors of sa during pregnancy and birth
When Survivors Give Birth: Healing Effects of Early Sexual Abuse
Supporting lgbt+ clients and what they really need
Supporting Queer Birth
Postpartum
Books that help you build a foundation for postpartum. We put a lot of emphasis on birth and can lack in postpartum when that is when a lot of people need more support. We give birth to not only babies but ourselves and we are newborn parents at this...
A look at how to treat yourself in the postpartum period. How we are changed for life not just a season
A Mother's Guide to the Fourth Trimester
Yummy recipes and cultural significance of postpartum
The First Forty Days: Nourishing New Mother
Postpartum planning to be able to have an easier transition
Build Your Nest: a postpartum planning workbook
Postpartum depression is common, you don’t have to suffer alone
This Isn't What I Expected: Overcoming PPD
Pregnancy/ infant loss
Pregnancy and infant loss are often shied away from, it’s understandable. No one wants to imagine it will happen to them or someone they know but it is more common than we want or think. Being able to hold and support families and ourselves through t...
A beautiful book about moving through grief and holding others through the process
Holding Space: On Loving, Dying, and Letting Go
A collection of essays written by bipoc authors on miscarriage
What God Is Honored Here?: Writings on Miscarriage and Infant Loss
Supporting grief of pregnancy loss and infant loss. A lot of beautiful stories that are relatable and helpful tips for both parents
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving Baby Loss
Fertility
Fertility! How we get pregnant especially our lgbt+ families can be complex and being able to understand how it happens is important too. If you’re lgbt+ and planning a pregnancy it’s a lot more to think about than straight couples and here’s some bo...
Understanding conception as it applies to trans and queer parents
Queer Conception: Fertility Guide for Queer & Trans Parents
A really insightful look at how all types of families can be made. I learned a lot about fertility from this book and the back has a great list of resources
Baby Making for Everybody
All the answers to our burning questions about bc
Birth Control: What Everyone Needs to Know®
Parenting
And now for support for parenting. I often stay in touch long term with families and being able to help them in their parenting journey and give resources is super important to me (not to mention I’m a parent that needs guidance too.) I didn’t have w...
Parenting 101! A great companion to this new life
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Strategies to Nurture
Parenting ourselves first to parent others
Parenting from the Inside Out: 10th Ed.
Parenting kids who don’t fit the gender mold they were born in
The Gender Creative Child: Nurturing & Support
Help for those (me too) who haven’t had the best parents and how to be better than them
It Stops With Me: 10 Mindful Parenting Tools