Books that I recommend you read during your pregnancy to prepare you for labour, birth and your postpartum journeys.
Absolutely essential reading to understand the importance of the postpartum period. My number one postpartum book.
The First Forty Days: Nourishing the New Mother
Anything Ina May is going to give you an insight into natural physiological birth and help you develop self trust.
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Tangible tools and techniques you can use in labour to help manage pain. I love this book.
Birth Skills: Pain-Management Techniques
A beautiful read.
Spiritual Midwifery
If you want to understand how the maternity system came to be the way it is today, you need to read this. In fact, you need to read this in your pregnancy regardless.
Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage
Another great postpartum book.
The Postnatal Depletion Cure: Guide for Mothers
I haven't actually read this one myself, but I have seen it recommended time and time again.
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor's Guide
Intro to hypnobirthing
The Hypnobirthing Book - Childbirth with Confidence
Another postpartum book with some beautiful recipes included.
Life After Birth: Guide to Motherhood
This one also comes highly recommended
The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide
Not just birth and postpartum related, but includes a tonne of info you should know in your pregnancy. In fact this is probably a good one to read before you fall pregnant.
Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth
Rhea Dempsey, another powerhouse in the birth world. Any of her books will do you good.
Birth With Confidence: Savvy Choices for Birth
Jane Hardwicke Collings. She is bold and honest and this is well worth a read.