How do I Choose the Best Pregnancy Books?

If you just found out you are pregnant, or even if you are only a few months away from giving birth, you probably have a lot of questions about what to expect. There are several pregnancy books on the market written specifically to answer the most common questions women have during a time when they are facing mixed feelings of excitement, ambivalence and often, anxiety. You can choose books that cover such topics as as morning sickness, how to get the proper exercise, nutrition tips, body changes and fetal development. While some books fixate on specific aspects of pregnancy, others offer information on a broader scope of issues. You will probably find it helpful to read a variety of publications specific to your general areas of concern to help you prepare, and feel in control, when the big day finally arrives.

Some pregnancy books are written as an overview of topics ranging from morning sickness to exercise. This is a great choice if you are looking for one source that touches on all the basics. Usually, they also provide insight into what changes take place within your body at each stage of pregnancy. Many also outline the weekly or monthly progression of fetal development.

If you prefer to delve into specific areas of interest, such as nutritional requirements for mother and baby, then pregnancy books dedicated solely to this topic might be a great addition to your library. Publications of this type often contain suggestions about what foods are best to consume during pregnancy and how they affect you and your growing fetus. At the same time, tips on which foods are best to avoid during pregnancy may also help you maintain optimum physical health.

In addition to changes a woman's body endures, the mind is often affected as well. Emotionally, many women find themselves dealing with an array of mixed feelings and pronounced mood swings. This generally occurs in response to hormone fluctuations. Several pregnancy books address this issue and may offer valuable coping strategies for women suffering from depression. Sometimes feelings of sadness can occur at the end of a pregnancy, called postpartum depression (PPD), although not all women experience PPD. It often proves helpful to read about this topic in advance of the symptom's presentation, however.

Since many pregnancy books tend to focus mainly on fetal development and changes that take place during this time, it is probably a good idea to also read literature that prepares you for the time immediately following the baby's arrival and several months afterward. It may also give you a better idea of how to plan in advance for things that pregnancy books may briefly mention, but not fully explain. For example, if you are planning to breast-feed your newborn, you may want to purchase a book on the topic since you will not likely have time to read it once the baby is born. Infant first aid and other safety issues are also popular selections that may be helpful to you.