The Birth Book Club

Pregnancy and early parenthood are full of advice. From what you are eating, where you are planning to have your baby or how you might feed your baby, it can sometimes feel as though everyone has a view on what you should or shouldn’t do. While some of that advice can be useful, it can feel confusing and overwhelming. There are an increasing number of birthy books available and whilst all that information is great, it can be difficult to know where to start.

In our first Birth Book Club post, we are going to mention three of the books that we found most useful when we were pregnant and also the top three books that we recommend most both in work and during our antenatal classes. When I was pregnant, I needed books that offered good solid evidence, with lived experience and plenty of reassurance (things we recommending looking for in antenatal classes too!). The three titles I often recommend are:

• Expecting Better by Emily Oster

• Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

• In Your Own Time by Sara Wickham

Together, they cover pregnancy, birth, and the early decisions around timing and interventions, giving parents a clearer picture of their options.

Expecting Better by Emily Oster

Emily Oster, an economist as well as a parent, takes a data-led look at the “rules” of pregnancy. Instead of simply accepting the long list of dos and don’ts; no caffeine, no soft cheese, induction at your due date, she explores the actual research behind them.

What makes this book so useful is that Oster presents the evidence in plain language and allows you to make your own decisions, rather than telling you what you must do. For example, if you’re wondering whether a daily cup of tea or coffee is really a problem, the book lays out the risks clearly, helping you weigh them up without unnecessary worry. It's really helpful for anyone who prefers to understand the “why” behind medical guidance and helps to clearly lay out risks and benefits. We love all of Emily Oyster's books but this is great one if you are pregnant.

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth

Ina May Gaskin is one of the world’s best-known midwives, and her Guide to Childbirth is both reassuring and practical. The first half of the book shares real birth stories from women, offering a wide range of positive experiences. These stories can be particularly powerful in balancing out the negative or dramatic depictions of birth we often see in films or on television.

The second half focuses on how birth works, what helps labour to progress, and how to create the right conditions—whether at home, in a birth centre, or in hospital. Gaskin has an unwavering belief in the ability of women’s bodies to birth, and her writing reminds readers that birth, while sometimes unpredictable, can also be empowering and deeply transformative. Even if you know you’ll be giving birth in a more medicalised setting, this book can help build confidence and reduce fear. Her birth pictures at the back are also brilliant and I love the way she writes about women's bodies; 'It is important to keep in mind that our bodies must work pretty well, or their wouldn't be so many humans on the planet'. A great read when you are pregnant.

In Your Own Time by Sara Wickham

This book is a thoughtful exploration of due dates and the timing of birth. Sara Wickham, a UK-based midwife and researcher, explains how due dates are calculated, why babies don’t always arrive on schedule, and what the evidence actually says about induction.

Her key message is that there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to when labour begins. She encourages parents to think carefully before agreeing to interventions based solely on the calendar, and to understand both the benefits and the risks of induction. For many expectant parents, Wickham’s work is a welcome reassurance that being “overdue” doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. Again, all of Sarah Wickham's work is fantastic and we would recommend having a look at her website and other books too.

Why These Books

There are a lot of birth books and whilst I am complete birth enthusiast, I haven't read every single birth book! For us, we think these books all offer something a little different but help parents feel informed, supported, and better prepared to make choices that suit their own circumstances.

Final Thoughts

There is no single “right way” to navigate pregnancy and birth, but having access to clear information and supportive voices can make the journey feel less daunting. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or adding to your family, these books are a good place to start if you want to feel more confident, informed, and in control of your options.

What have you enjoyed reading? Is there something else you found useful during your pregnancy? We would love to hear from you!

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