Books of the Moment: Pregnancy Edition
The Pregnancy Books That Won't Give You Sleepless Nights
It is safe to say that there is a plethora of information out in the world for us to digest daily, and when I found out I was pregnant, that wealth of knowledge expanded tenfold. Suddenly there was a minefield worth of learning to do in a space of eight months. From apps to books to countless online forums later, I decided to only read four slash five books, max. I felt as though I was in school again, cramming for an exam and I didn’t need a repeat of that particular anxiety.
Once I found a few books that sounded like they resonated with who I am, and the way I process information, I instantly felt a lot more in control. It’s amazing how wired you can feel just by picking up a pregnancy book and feeling like you’re the last one to find out about the test you have in approximately 40 minutes! So, I thought, if these books have helped me, they may aid in comforting, while teaching, someone else.
Thinks I Wish I’d Known | Women Tell the Truth About Motherhood
f you appreciate British humor and need a light and funny read, then ‘Things I Wish I’d Known’, is for you. It’s a collation of small stories and experiences by journalists and writers who have all gone through pregnancy and are still trying to find the perfect balance of being a good mother. It’s witty, heartwarming and very real.
I absolutely love the way this book is written! It is as if a friend, a very knowledgeable friend, is answering all your questions and quelling all your worries, over a cup of tea and a biscuit. ‘Nurture’, written by doula, Erica Chidi Cohen, takes you through a wide range of elements, from how to mentally handle the changes in your body, to how to plan your maternity leave. It is practical and reassuring advice for the modern-day mama.
I just knew by the title of this book, that this may be a good one - and boy was I right! Reading this approaching guide helped me to not freak out when a new pregnancy symptom sprung on me every week. All of a sudden, I didn’t feel alone in my heartburn, constant visits to the restroom, calf cramps and the inability to sleep on my left side. (Be warned if you’re a back sleeper, you have to change the position you sleep in.)
This book may seem a little premature, (see what I did there?) however, a friend of a friend advised me to get ahead of the after-care reading as the ‘growing a human’ stage will fly by, and then you’ll need to know what to do when bringing your spawn home. So, without further ado, I give you ‘Baby Wise’, a full guide on how to soothe, coach and relax your baby to sleep. It’s a great read for those of you who are wondering just how to keep that bundle of joy, asleep!
Cover Photo: Mathew Addington
