Here are suggested resources to help deepen your birthing and parenting preparation. Included are books, many of which are available at your local library, as well as links to helpful websites and videos.
Helpful Reading for Pregnancy and Childbirth
“The Birth Partner” by Penny Simkin, P.T.
“Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn” by Penny Simkin et al
“Mindful Birthing” by Nancy Bardacke RN, CNM, MA
“Transformed by Birth, Cultivating Openness, Resilience and Strength for the Life Changing Journey from Pregnancy to Parenthood” by Britta Bushnell Ph.D
“Ancient Map for Modern Birth” by Pam England CNM (also wrote “Birthing from Within”)
“Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered” by Dr. Rebecca Dekker
“Bountiful Beautiful, Blissful: Experience the Natural Power of Pregnancy and Birth with Kundalini Yoga and Meditation” by Gurmukh
“Natural Health after Birth: The Complete Guide to Postpartum Wellness” by Aviva Romm
“The Natural Pregnancy Book: Herbs, Nutrition and Other Holistic Choices” by Aviva Romm
“Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” by Ina May Gaskin
“Birth Wisdom Yoga” by Julia Piazza
“Real Food for Gestational Diabetes” by Lily Nichols
“Your Baby’s Microbiome” by Harmon and Wakeford
Helpful Reading for Postpartum
“The Fourth Trimester” by Kimberly Ann Johnson
“Breastfeeding Made Simple” by Nancy Mohbacker, IBCLC, FILCA and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D, IBCLC
“The First Forty Days — The Essential Art of Nourishing the Mother” by Heng Ou
“This Isn’t What I Expected — Overcoming Postpartum Depression” by Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW and Valerie Davis Raskin, MD
“Everyday Blessings: Mindfulness for Parents” by Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD
“Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts: A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers” by Karen Kleiman
“The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive” by Daniel J. Siegel M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD
“The Parent’s Tao Te Ching” by William Martin
Helpful Online Resources
Evidence Based Birth — Evidence for having doula support
Perinatal and Postpartum Counseling — Dancy Perinatal Counseling
Attaching Your Baby at the Breast — Breastfeeding Series Video
Nancy Mohrbacher Breastfeeding Resources
Stanford Hospital — Breastfeeding in the first hours after birth
Your Inner Glow Prenatal Education, Childbirth Classes & Postpartum
VBAC — An Evidence-based Resource for Birth Options after a Cesarean