Today I’m sharing my top 3 books to read while pregnant

I do not recommend What to Expect When You’re Expecting or other mainstream resources on pregnancy and reproductive health

Mainstream maternity education or reproductive health education tends to err on side of very medical, very fear-based and often fairly inaccurate information

I do suggest reading very specific things by some brilliant leaders in the space

Also opening your mind up to the experience of other people who have been pregnant, who have tried to get pregnant and who have given birth in many ways.

https://www.amazon.ca/Killing-Black-Body-Reproduction-Meaning/dp/0679758690/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1andkeywords=killing+the+black+bodyandqid=1617225010andsr=8-1 (#1 Start with Killing the Black Body by Dorothy E. Roberts)

This podcast is called an ethical exploration of parenthood so we need to talk about racism right at the beginning

Killing the Black Body is something that will help you understand the immense privilege you have as a white person, and the far reaching effects of racism in the world of reproductive health and pregnancy

https://www.amazon.ca/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Material/dp/0553381156/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2FMP6FDXQLVHAanddchild=1andkeywords=ina+may+gaskin+a+guide+to+childbirthandqid=1617224941andsprefix=ina+may+gas%2Caps%2C220andsr=8-1 (#2 Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth)

A cult classic if you will, amongst birth workers and natural birth movement followers

The stories that are shared in this book are inspirational and full of hope

We do not have to accept the status quo cascade of interventions leading to a surgical birth

This is showing us that there is another path; that there are more options available

The thing that I find disappointing about this book is that it's very hard to replicate the environment that the book promotes

There are some really practical, tactical, strategic things that you will have to do in preparation to have an experience similar to that.

If we're going to give birth in a hospital, we are already stepping outside of our environment and into someone else's

I come in at the middle ground, I want you to have a great birth experience in the hospital or at home

https://www.amazon.ca/Birth-Partner-5th-Childbirth-Companions/dp/1558329102/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2L77XX872U15Banddchild=1andkeywords=the+birth+partnerandqid=1617224882andsprefix=the+birth+partner%2Caps%2C201andsr=8-1 (#3 Birth Partner by Penny Simkin)

The best resource for birthing partners: the person who will be the primary support for the person giving birth

It’s an encyclopedia of all the things you need to know

There is a special focus on pain, coping with pain, and the unique experience of pregnancy and birth among survivors of traumatic abuse and sexual assault

This book will help YOU understand how to deal with YOUR pain

Pain and suffering looks different for everyone

It’s not a moral issue, something we have to endure or not endure

Pain is an intimate issue, which is why I don’t spend very much time speaking about pain management in general - however, I am very knowledgeable about pain and it’s management so don’t be afraid to ask me about it

These are my favourite books!

Let me know what your favourite are by sending me an email at [email protected]

Final note: when you are reading about pregnancy and birth, don’t feel like you have to finish the book. Just pick and choose what you need!

Pain Scale mentioned:

Clarifying Your Feelings About Pain and Medications in Childbirth by Penny Simkin https://birthtools.org/birthtools/files/BirthToolFiles/FILENAME/000000000006/MOC-CnC-PainMgmtPreferenceScale-Simpkin.pdf

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