Pregnancy and Birth Resources

Whether you're a first time mom unsure about what the future holds or this is all old hat to you, there are many resources out there to help you decide what's best for you for this birth.  Sometimes, there are too many to figure out what you're really looking for! So, here's a short list to give you a head start...



Are you looking for inspiration stories along with your info? Try these on for size:

Birth Story - a movie about Ina May Gaskin and the Farm midwives, follows the story of an intentional community (commune) formed in the 1970s, where the women taught themselves to deliver babies and ultimately helped bring back midwifery as a movement in the US. This will be released on DVD and available for download April 30. (Personal note: one of our staff - Christina - gave birth to her daughter on the Farm.)

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin - is a general childbirth guide, primarily about natural childbirth, containing a lot of birth stories

Birthing from Within by Pam England, is a childbirth preparation book that helps with dealing with the emotional aspects of labor

Are you looking for info about our current childbirth system in the US, or your choices therein? Check out:

The Business of Being Born - This movie by Abby Epstein and Ricki Lake explores our modern maternity care system.

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer - explores evidenced based statistical and practical information for giving birth - primarily geared toward those birthing in hospitals.

The Birth Book by William and Martha Sears - it has a lot of info about giving birth.

Birth Options Alliance is a website with a lot of local information for the DC/MD/VA area!

You're looking for something to help you manage labor and birth itself?

Try a longer term childbirth course like Bradley Method courses or Hypnobabies. For books -

Hypnobirthing, the Mongan Method - tells about how to relax yourself during labor.

Are you looking for a book for your partner or support person?

The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin is a must have for anyone who is the primary support person for a laboring woman!

The Expectant Father by Armin Brott helps dads understand what to expect during their partner's pregnancy, and during birth.

None of that is quite your cup of tea... maybe you've already had the baby?

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp is a great find for new parents looking for good soothing techniques.

The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley is an excellent read for parents worried about their children's sleep patterns, or who just need a good night's rest!


Okay, you've read the mainstream books, and you're looking for something that will rock your world... 

Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman is a modern, research-based book that will change the way you think about raising children.

Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn is a look at a completely different side of parenting - you may love it, you may hate it. But it's very different.


What is your must-have birth or parenting book? Any books you'd like to see us carry? Let us know!