Best Pregnancy Book Reviews 2020

Heidi Murkoff co-authored the What to Expect series together with her sister Sandee Hathaway and mum Arlene Eisenberg. Heidi also co-founded the What to Expect Foundation with her mother—which she runs to-date. She is responsible for writing “I’’ columns for Parenting Magazines and Baby Talk, and also lectures on parenting and pregnancy-related issues.

Released in 1984 and with more than 18.5 million copies printed, Heidi Murkoff’s What to Expect When You’re Expecting has been read by 93% of mothers who have considered reading a pregnancy book. As one of the most outstanding books of the last 25 years, this book has sold more than 20 million units globally and has been labeled, the bible of American pregnancy.

The What to Expect When You're Expecting 5th Edition is filled with important information, insights, advice, and tips for moms- and dads-to-be. With humor, warmth, and empathy, this book answers every imaginable question that new parents could have. It uses an easy-to-understand, month-by-month format to reassuringly lead expectant parents to a lot of helpful information. You’ll learn about love-making during pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis, childbirth options, choosing a caregiver, safety of medications when expecting, and postpartum birth control. There is a wide coverage on multiple pregnancies, IVF pregnancy, cesarean trends such as VBACs and gentle cesareans, water and home births, and information on breastfeeding while pregnant.

The book also covers current lifestyle trends including baby bump posting, health food fads, e-cigarettes, raw diets, juice bars, the true facts about omega-3 fatty acids, grass-fed and organic, and GMOs. Heidi explains clearly how to deal with some of the common and uncommon pregnancy symptoms and guides you through labor and delivery, postnatal care, and breastfeeding. There is a section for dads-to-be too and 24 pages of pregnancy notes on doctor’s visits, observations, weight gain, and much more.

You can read the What to Expect When You’re Expecting book in any of three formats; namely, Kindle, hardcover, and paperback.

Genevieve Howland, also known as Mama Natural, was once an overweight cigarette smoker and food junkie whose health was in pieces. She later transformed every area of her life through the healing power of natural food and natural living. Genevieve has now dedicated her life to helping mothers and mothers-to-be live happier and healthier lives. Together with her husband Michael, Genevieve runs one of the best pregnancy YouTube channels and blogs.

For the past 50 years, control over childbirth has always been in favor of the doctors. Howland is, however, turning the page by offering a week-by-week natural pregnancy guide for soon-to-be moms. As a mom-to-be, you are completely tired or are probably busy chasing another munchkin around, and you don’t have enough time to read an entire book.

Howland starts each week with a quick highlight of what’s happening with mommy and baby before diving into the important topic of that week or typical questions that mama could be having at that particular time of the pregnancy. And, the week ends with a list of 2 to 3 items that mama needs to accomplish, such as sleep. The weeks are full of beautiful illustrations and pregnancy affirmations; various checklists are provided for you to physically put a mark on as you prepare for the baby’s arrival.

From cover-to-cover, Genevieve Howland’s Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth guide covers everything a mother needs to know, from a natural perspective. While it basically focuses on natural childbirth, there is no shaming; the guide addresses fertility, C-sections, epidurals, loss, and gentle cesarean, all in one package.

The most amazing aspect of Howland’s book is the affirmation that pregnancy and childbirth are both biological processes and not medical conditions. She uses the latest research to show how life-changing and beneficial natural birth is for mommy and baby. You will find vital information on the nutrition to take, how to naturally treat common and troublesome pregnancy symptoms, and the correct (and incorrect) use of interventions.

If you’re thinking of buying this book, it’s helpful to know that it is available in Kindle, paperback, and audio formats!

As the first and largest homogenous, non-profit group practice in the entire world, Mayo Clinic has doctors from different medical specialty fields working together to take care of patients. With offices in Scottsdale/Phoenix, Arizona, Fla. Rochester, Jacksonville, and Minnesota, this clinic treats over 500,000 patients every year. It has 50,000 allied staff, and more than 3600 physicians and scientists.

The Mayo Clinic: Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is for women looking for accurate, authoritative information from a trustworthy source. The book features a 40-week pregnancy calendar with weekly briefings about baby’s growth and monthly changes for the mom. There is a summary of important pregnancy decisions and a symptoms guide, too. As a resourceful pregnancy tool, Mayo Clinic’s Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy covers everything from how to get pregnant, exercise, meal planning, the use of medication, and parenthood. You will also find answers to the most embarrassing and difficult questions.

Written by professionals, Mayo Clinic’s Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy offers expert tips and insights to help you at each stage of the pregnancy. You will also get guidance on issues faced by expectant parents; for instance, how to manage work and travel, the different pain relief options during childbirth, and when to have another baby, among other things. The book also talks about taking the baby home and postpartum care for the mom. You’ll learn about the complications that might arise during and after pregnancy and how to deal with any pre-existing condition. There’s also a helpful section for dads and partners! This book is available in Kindle and paperback formats!

Jenny McCarthy is an actress, author, and former host of MTV's popular dating show dubbed “Singled Out.” She commenced her career as a Playboy model before breaking into lucrative high-profile comedy TV shows and film industry. She has literally featured everywhere, including on the cover of Rolling Stone and the Times Magazine, not to mention popular TV talk shows such as Larry King, Howard Stern, and Oprah Winfrey.

Jenny McCarthy unearths the naked truth about the unmatched joy, excruciating pain, and the obvious disfigurement that comes with pregnancy. She clearly describes what to expect as an expectant mother, ranging from morning sicknesses to pregnant sex, granny panties, hormonal rage, hemorrhoids, and the final torturous relief of delivery.

Her Belly Laughs highlights the joy of pregnancy in a humorous and candid way—probably like nothing you’ve ever read. There’s the morning sickness, the gassiness, queasiness, constipation, exhaustion, crankiness, forgetfulness, and the frequent worries. Every pregnant woman undergoes similar discomforts and humiliations, but some are too shy or embarrassed to speak about it. Not Jenny McCarthy!

Through the New York Times bestseller pregnancy book, Belly Laughs, the actress and new mother brings out every change that comes with pregnancy. She is never shy, sometimes crude, and exhilaratingly funny; McCarthy covers it all in utter detail. Her book is a must-read with a comic relief for every pregnant mother and pretty much anyone planning to conceive or has ever been pregnant.

This book is available in Kindle, hardcover, and paperback formats!

Armin A. Brott is a widely recognized parenting expert and author of various books, including the Abbeville’s New Father series. He has also written fabulous pieces on parenting and fatherhood for The New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, the Washington Post, and numerous other publications. Additionally, he hosts “Positive Parenting,” which is a nationally-syndicated talk show that premiers every week. He lives with his adorable family in Oakland, California.

Armin A. Brott has demonstrated his dedication to helping expectant dads figure out their roles during pregnancy and understanding how the looming changes will affect them as they support their partners through the journey. He has formulated a month-by-month series to help you cope with the overwhelming stress of pregnancy. He covers various topics such as encouraging mum during pregnancy and labor, finances, adoption, choosing baby names, juggling work and family, and monitoring mom’s diet during pregnancy.

The Expectant Father fills the need and has been adored by many fathers-to-be through its light, informative approach to issues and challenges during pregnancy, while pointing out how the dad can be helpful and supportive in the whole process. The guide incorporates the expertise of reputable practitioners in their various fields, including obstetricians, psychologists, birth-class instructors, and sociologists. Brott also draws from his own experiences as a father of three, and some fresh real-world experiences from thousands of fathers he’s interviewed. He presents the information in a gentle and humorous way, making the book a friendly and readable accomplice for expectant dads seeking guidance, confidence, and joy!

Here are some extra features that come with the new edition of The Expectant Father:

• The latest information in health and safety
• How technology is transforming fatherhood
• How men's brains become receptive when involved during pregnancy
• The shifting expectations of the society for fathers
• The effects on the unborn child when fathers are actively involved during pregnancy
• How dad’s participation during pregnancy is more likely to make them active dads after birth