Books to Read During Pregnancy as a Natural Momma

Hey, mama! So, if you’re anything like me, you probably started picking up a few books when you found out you were pregnant. I know I did! I was determined to educate myself, make informed decisions, and really own my pregnancy and motherhood journey.

I wanted to share with you the books that helped me along the way, the ones that gave me peace of mind and some great insights. I read them in the order below, and while they’re not all specifically about natural parenting, each one played an important role in how I navigated my pregnancy.

Here’s the list:

• CDC Childhood Vaccine Handbook - CDC
• What To Expect When Expecting - Heidi Murkoff
• The Sh!t No One Tells You About Pregnancy - Dawn Dais
• The Business of Baby - Jennifer Margulis
• Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin
• Beyond the Sling - Mayim Bialik

Now, you might be thinking, “But Shannon, I bought your book to learn how to parent naturally!” And you’re totally right! You’ll get all of my personal take on everything in this book. But these books? They helped me along my own journey, and they’re more in-depth than what I can cover here. There’s nothing wrong with gaining knowledge from multiple sources, right? Here’s a little rundown of what I learned from each one:

✨Psst, I detail more about my experiences with trying to conceive, pregnancy, babyhood and so much more in the full book: "Consciously Natural Momma: Natural Parenting Methods from Conception Through the Terrific Twos!".✨

CDC Childhood Vaccine Handbook - CDC

Okay, so, this one is a bit of a joke in my story. The first doctor I saw handed me this book with the intention of educating me as a new mom. I was excited to learn about vaccines, how they work, and what’s in them. But when I read it, I was seriously disappointed. It was full of fear-mongering and didn’t offer any helpful information. Honestly, I just wanted to share this with you because I did read it, and it was completely ridiculous. I explain more in Consciously Natural Momma, but yeah, it’s on the list as a “don’t bother” from me.

What To Expect When Expecting - Heidi Murkoff

Ah, this one—everyone’s favorite pregnancy book. You can find it at every thrift store and used bookstore. This book covers each week of your pregnancy and gives you a pretty standard, medical overview of what’s happening with your body and your baby. It’s got a lot of good general advice, and even a section for dads (which I wish my partner, J., had read!). I’d recommend it if you want a mainstream perspective and to follow along week by week. It's helpful to know what’s coming next! Buy Here

The Sh!t No One Tells You About Pregnancy - Dawn Dais

This book had me laughing so hard! It’s fun, lighthearted, and totally honest about the weird things that happen during pregnancy that no one really talks about. From excessive drooling to, well, other less glamorous bodily functions, this book doesn't sugarcoat it. But I’ll be honest, it also scared me a bit. Not everything in there is something you’ll definitely experience, but it’s a good reminder that pregnancy is messy, unpredictable, and unique for every woman. Buy Here

The Business of Baby - Jennifer Margulis

This one is my absolute favorite and the book that really fired me up! I highly recommend it to anyone, even if you’re not pregnant. It opened my eyes to so much about the US healthcare system and its impact on pregnancy, birth, and infant care. Margulis dives into why the US has such high maternal and infant mortality rates and the role that doctors, money, and the business of baby products play in all of it. If you’re a truth-seeker like me, you NEED to read this book. There’s also a documentary that goes with it, and I found it incredibly eye-opening. It made me more confident in asking questions and questioning everything I was told. Buy Here

✨It all started with the book "Consciously Natural Momma: Natural Parenting Methods from Conception Through the Terrific Twos!" find out more here.✨

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin

This book was amazing for anyone thinking about a natural, drug-free birth. It’s filled with empowering birth stories from women who gave birth without interventions. There’s even a chapter about women who had orgasms during childbirth (yep, you read that right). I was excited to read it, but I’ll be honest—it didn’t quite do what I expected. I thought it would be more of a step-by-step guide to help me stay calm and focused during labor, but instead, it focused on decision-making and building confidence in your ability to give birth naturally. It was definitely encouraging and made me feel more confident that I could do it, too. Buy Here

Beyond the Sling - Mayim Bialik

I’ve had mixed feelings about Mayim Bialik over time, but I’ll be honest—her book on natural parenting did offer some useful insights. She covers everything from co-sleeping and breastfeeding to attachment parenting. At the time of reading her book, her approach to natural parenting was still practical and relatable. It’s worth reading if you’re looking for an entertaining and informative look at parenting through a natural lens. Buy Here

Final Thoughts

These books helped me immensely in making decisions during my pregnancy and gave me more confidence in my approach to natural parenting. You definitely don’t have to read them all, but why not get more information from a variety of sources? It’s crazy to me that some people criticize others for reading multiple books or seeking advice from different places. But let’s be real—educating ourselves is so important. I didn’t want to “just wing it” when it came to such a life-changing event!

Reading these books gave me the validation I needed in my decisions, and it helped me feel more empowered and prepared. They helped me explore alternatives to mainstream practices and gave me the knowledge I needed to feel confident in my choices.

I’m so grateful for all the wisdom these books provided. They truly changed my life.

✨Learn everything you need to know with "Consciously Natural Momma: Natural Parenting Methods from Conception Through the Terrific Twos!". Find out more here.✨

Xo,
Shannon

✨ Let me leave you with an awesome offer :✨

I wrote "Consciously Natural Momma: Natural Parenting Methods from Conception Through the Terrific Twos! with the intention of absolutely changing women's lives. To make sure they felt confident and empowered in their motherhood journeys.

This book is packed full of anything you'd want to know on natural and conscious parenting techniques. Methods that allow your motherhood journey to flow from conception through the twos and beyond.

This is the book you pick up and can't put down. The one you gift every new mother you meet because it's THAT informative!

Go ahead and learn more here. and pick up a copy!