If you read just one book before giving birth, make it this one. Ina May Gaskin is a renowned American midwife, and her approach to childbirth is as grounded as it is revolutionary. She sees birth as a natural, physiological process—not a medical emergency waiting to happen.

The book is split into two parts. The first half is filled with inspiring birth stories from “The Farm,” the intentional community Gaskin co-founded in Tennessee, USA, in the 1970s. These real-life stories remind us that birth can be powerful, positive, and even joyful.

The second half explores the physiology of birth, the mind-body connection, and how our environment impacts labour.

Gaskin challenges many standard hospital practices. She explains which medical interventions help and which are often unnecessary. She compares the midwifery model of care—where the birthing person is central—with the medical model, which often treats pregnancy as something to be managed.

The book also outlines alternative birthing positions to lithotomy (lying on your back with hips and knees bent, supported by leg supports). It includes possible pain relief medications, discusses the need for episiotomy, the realities and statistics of caesarean births, and considerations in choosing a caregiver.

This book can give you a lot of confidence in your body’s innate intelligence. I often recommend it to mothers who feel unsure about their birth options.

This book takes a totally different approach—and I love it for that.

Pam England is a former nurse-midwife turned childbirth educator, using art and creativity to help women process and prepare for birth. In this book, she points out how many routine obstetric symbols and procedures go unquestioned. Instead, being aware of them automatically puts us in a place of power and allows us to make informed decisions. She encourages expectant parents to look beyond the medical side and explore the emotional, psychological, and even spiritual aspects of birth.

One of the book’s most powerful ideas is that birth is a rite of passage. Whether your baby arrives through a planned c-section or an unmedicated home birth, the experience can be transformative if you approach it with awareness.

England uses storytelling and short chapters with accessible language to describe pregnancy and labour. She explores fear, body awareness, and tools to manage pain—like non-focused awareness, a technique that helps you stay present with the full experience.

Additionally, she encourages the active involvement of partners and reminds us how crucial it is to prepare our relationships for the shift into parenthood.

Exploring your beliefs and fears through drawing or journaling can bring deep insight into your inner experience. However, you don’t need artistic skills to benefit from this book.

Indeed, this classic resource for future moms can help you see birth preparation not just as a checklist of classes and items to buy, but as an opportunity to grow and reflect.

Dr. Aviva Romm is a physician and herbalist specialising in women’s health. Her book is a practical, holistic guide for those who want a more natural approach to pregnancy.

She begins with an overview of pregnancy care options. Romm clearly explains which health professionals perform which services and outlines the most common pregnancy tests, including their benefits and potential downsides. She helps you understand your choices.

I love the book’s focus on nutrition and herbal support. The author shares key nutrients, their functions, and how to incorporate them into your diet. She also gives a helpful list of herbs that are safe during pregnancy, and those to avoid.

Like Pam England, Romm sees pregnancy as a rite of passage. She includes yoga-inspired exercises, relaxation techniques, and guidance on movement and rest. Her writing is reassuring and clear. The second part of the book explores common pregnancy discomforts and how to manage them with food, herbs, and self-care.

This is a great pick if you want to stay informed and supported with natural tools throughout your pregnancy.

Nurture feels like a warm, wise friend walking with you through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

Written by Erica Chidi, a full-spectrum doula and health educator, this book covers it all. From navigating physical changes and making choices around birth, to nourishing your body with real food, and practicing self-care when you feel anything but grounded. Chidi’s book includes month-by-month check-ins, affirmations, journaling prompts, and practical advice for preparing for labour—whether you’re planning a vaginal birth or a c-section.

She helps you reflect on your birth options and prepare for different possibilities. You’ll find helpful explanations of interventions, labour signs, and active birthing strategies. Her birth visualisations and body-based practices are gentle and empowering.

The postpartum section is equally thoughtful. Chidi discusses physical recovery, emotional shifts, feeding (breast and bottle), and baby care without judgment. She reminds you that your experience matters too—and that trusting yourself is vital.

I appreciate how she weaves self-care and mental well-being into every stage of the journey. Nurture is a beautiful companion to any pregnancy.

There are thousands of pregnancy books out there and trying to read them all will only leave you more confused. But choosing just a few, especially the ones that speak to you, can be a powerful part of your preparation for birth.

Whether you’re drawn to physiological insights, emotional preparation, herbal wisdom, or real-life stories, I hope this list helps you feel a little more anchored, a little more curious, and a lot more supported.

And if you’re looking for a way to connect with your body, your baby, and your breath during pregnancy—I’d love to invite you to join me in my free yoga series:

Balanced Before Birth – A Free Yoga Series for Pregnant Mothers

This gentle, grounding 5-day yoga series is designed especially for you if you’re pregnant and want to:

• Feel more at ease in your changing body
• Cultivate calm and confidence before birth
• Carve out a moment of daily self-care, no matter how busy life feels

Each session includes a short, accessible yoga class, mindful breathing, and affirmations to help you move through pregnancy with more balance and intention.

Sign up here for free and start creating your own rhythm of rest, movement, and connection before baby arrives.

You don’t need to be “good at yoga.” You just need to show up as you are.