So the potential plan of TTC in December or January has put me into a little bit of a babies-rabies/panic/overdrive. And like every good Type A planning freak, as soon as I felt the need to research and obsess, I went to Amazon. And here’s what I’ve found so far:
I just finished The Big Book of Birth, and I was impressed. Like way impressed. I had anticipated some hostility towards one side or the other, but this was very objective, written very fairly. Furthermore, the writing was done in the most friendly and non-intimidating way possible. I assumed that as a nurse (that did quite well in OB actually) that I’d prefer a more textbook tone in birth books. Way wrong! And she was funny too. After reading the book, I felt like I had been able to dispel a lot of the fear I’ve always had about labor and birth, and I’m actually starting to look forward to it, if thats possible? I don’t think I could recommend this book any higher.
Earlier this year, I went through Naturally Knocked Up’s fertility e-course, another pre-pregnancy recommendation that was quite simply, excellent. I am my (crunchy) Mother’s daughter, and I really wanted to learn about getting my body ready, beyond the What to Expect Before You’re Expecting book which is much like its predecessor, and had me worrying a lot about pretty much everything. The course was laid out nicely, the topics were excellent, it had a forum for participants to discuss the week’s content, and worksheets, links, and resources on each weeks topic. Look into it!
Prenatal vitamins are quite the racket. I spent no less than five hours researching the best prenatal vitamins that met the recommendations for what the vitamin provides, and also spent at least an hour researching DHA supplements (which apparently will turn your child into a genius). The vitamins that were prenatal and DHA didn’t have quite the recommended amounts of either, one of the better prenatals had concerns about the use of bean sprouts, the next best required taking two pills three times a day (gag) and the ones I’ve been taking for the past year expire in three weeks. And just in case anyone reading is in the market, the verdict of all my research is: Rainbow Light Prenatal One vitamins and Expecta Lipil non-fish DHA supplements. And the Bellybar chewable prenatals although I find chewable aftertaste to be slightly gack, nothing like Flintstones.
I’ve got a few more books in my Amazon cart, and another few stashed on my Kindle: the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy and the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.
Are there any you would recommend land in my Amazon cart?






Comments
Kaitlin @ Ah... My Married Life
I’d really like the read The Birth Book of Birth. And I’ve been needing some new prenatals, so I’ll definitely be looking into the ones that you’ve posted.
You’ll also have to let me know how The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is if you get it. I should really be doing some more research on this. Or maybe I can let you do all the research and you’ll share all the important information with me.
Lil' Woman
I am of no help with this but I am going to bookmark this page for when me and Big Man decide to start babymaking.
Katie @ Up Fit Creek
If you want to add some “fun” baby reading to your list, I’d highly recommend Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy.
As for prenatals, my doctor prescribed me a generic prenatal vitamin that met all the requirements. It actually ended up being cheaper than over-the-counter multivitamins or prenatals because it was on the $4 list.
B
I LOVE The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, as well as The Nursing Mother’s Companion. Aside from that, all the “The Girlfriend’s Guide…” books by Vicki Iovine are awesome. What to Expect…not so much.
Much More Than Mommy
You are going to be the most well-read pregnant woman and mommy EVER! Just remember to not discount your instincts!
The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy — loved that!!! Don’t read the birth stuff until the very end, though, okay?
Andrea
I read every pregnancy book known to man (well known to woman. I don’t know any men that know any fertility, pregnancy or breastfeeding books) while I was pregnant and purchased a bunch more about what to do with the baby once she got here. She is now 8 months old and all of those books are gathering dust on the book shelf.
To me figuring out parenting has come down to trusting our instincts, talking to our pediatrician/lactation consultant and getting advice from other moms (my mom & sister-in-law). The books helped me feel calm and prepared at the time but when it came time to give birth nothing went as planned and nothing that happened was in any of the books I read.
As far as prenatals, I thought they were disgusting so I just took two Flintstone vitamins every day at the recommendation of my doctor and things worked out ok.
Good luck in Dec/Jan TTC. I’m looking forward to keeping up with your blog.