As a mother of five (soon-to-be) six, I have had my fair share of experiences with pregnancy and birth. It wasn’t until my fifth pregnancy, when I decided to birth outside of the medical system, that I really started taking a deep dive into physiologic birth.
I read every book that I could squeeze into those months leading up to my unmedicated water birth. Having this knowledge gave me confidence both during my pregnancy, and to draw on in the moment when labor inevitably intensified.
That said, knowledge IS power, and there is something profound about taking control of your birth experience. When you understand the types of assistance and interventions that will be offered to you, you can confidently say “yes” and “no” firmly. This involves being an active participant in your pregnancy, and not just a bystander following every recommendation given by their healthcare provider. YOU are the sole authority over your birth.
So let’s get you started if you’re brand new like I was by enjoying this resource list I’ve compiled! Resources that include books, apps, videos, Instagram accounts, and additional educational materials. Here you’ll find information on fertility and reproduction, pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding, vaccinations, and more.
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Movies & Videos
Birth Stories & Educational Videos
- These Are My Hours (also on Vimeo)
- The Business of Being Born (also on YouTube)
- Why Not Home?
Books
Fertility & Reproductive Health Books
- Beyond The Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten
- Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, MPH
- WomanCode by Alissa Vitti, HHC
- Awakening Fertility by Heng Ou (also in “Nutrition Books”)
Pregnancy & Birth Books
- Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth by Genevieve Howland
- The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin (excellent resource for spouses, doulas, etc)
- The Birth Partner’s Quick Reference Guide and Planner (concise/condensed version of “The Birth Partner”)
- Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
- The Water Birth Book by Janet Balaskas
- Birth Without Fear by January Harshe
- Active Birth by Janet Balaskas
- Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn by Penny Simkin
- Childbirth Without Fear: The Principles and Practice of Natural Childbirth by Grantly Dick-Read
- Husband Coached Childbirth by Robert A Bradley, MD (excellent resource for husbands)
- Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah J. Buckley, MD
- Holy Labor by Aubry G. Smith
- The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Jill Romm
- Home Birth On Your Own Terms By Heather Baker
Postpartum Books
- The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson
- The First 40 Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou (also in “Nutrition Books”)
C-Section Books
- Homebirth Cesarean: Stories and Support for Families and Healthcare Providers (for women who had a planned out-of-hospital birth that ended in the operating room)
- Healing From a Homebirth Cesarean (companion workbook to “Homebirth Cesarean)
Breastfeeding Books
- The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
- Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding by Ina May Gaskin
Nutrition Books
- 100 Days of Real Food by Lisa Leake (not pregnancy, but a great resource for ancestral eating)
- Real Food for Pregnancy by Lily Nichols RDN, CDE
- Real Food for Gestational Diabetes by Lily Nichols RDN, CDE
- Awakening Fertility by Heng Ou
- Nine Golden Months by Heng Ou
- The First 40 Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou
Vaccination Books
- Dissolving Illusions by Suzanne Humphries, MD
- The Unvaccinated Child: A Treatment Guide for Parents and Caregivers
- Vaccines, Autoimmunity, and The Changing Nature of Childhood Illness
- Vaccine Epidemic
- Vaccine Safety Manual for Concerned Families and Health Practitioners
Other Resources
Fitness Apps + Workout Schedules
- Move Your Bump – Pregnancy
- Expecting & Empowered – Pregnancy & Postpartum
- FitBody App – Pregnancy & Postpartum
- KimPerryCo Fit Pregnancy Program – Pregnancy
Facebook Groups
Instagram Accounts
Pregnancy + Birth Accounts
- sacredbirthdoula
- happyhomebirthpodcast
- builttobirth
- spinningbabies
- before.birth.begins
- birthinginstincts
- wildandthrivemotherhood
- mrsjanetcatherine
- kalliecaton
- authentically.julie
- roaringmotherhood
Vaccine Info Accounts
- toxinfree.tiffany
- thewarriorcenter
- justtheinserts
Breastfeeding + Pumping Accounts
- baremotherhood_
- az.breastfedbabies
- onewiththepump
- latched.lakecountry
Other
- letstalkbabywearing
- safeintheseat
Podcasts
Pregnancy + Birth
- Birthing Instincts
- The Homebirth Midwife Podcast
- Built to Birth Podcast
- To Birth and Beyond
- The Birth Hour
- Down To Birth Podcast
- Happy Homebirth
- Birthful
- Holy Wild Birth (Christian Perspective)
- Your Birth, God’s Way (Christian Perspective)
Websites & Articles
Important Info
- Hospital & Surgery Center Ratings – Compare hospital surgery and procedure ratings, as well as search for a birth care team within the medical system
Preparing for Birth
- Mama Natural Visual Birth Plan
- 10 Things to Do in Your Ninth Month of Pregnancy (Home Birth Edition)