Pregnancy is a life-changing journey, filled with excitement, questions, and countless emotions. Whether you're preparing for your first baby or adding to your growing family, having the right resources at your fingertips can make all the difference.
In 2025, a wealth of inspiring, informative, and empowering books are available to guide you through every step of this incredible adventure. From emotional support to practical tips and expert advice, these reads are designed to help you feel confident, connected, and prepared.
In this article, discover the top 8 best books every pregnant woman should read in 2025 the perfect companions for one of the most beautiful chapters of your life.
top 8 best books every pregnant woman should read in 2025
Pregnancy is a journey full of transformation, emotions, and new beginnings. Having the right books by your side can provide wisdom, comfort, and reassurance when you need it most. Whether you're looking for heartfelt keepsakes or scientific guidance, here are the top 8 best books every pregnant woman should read in 2025.
1. From Mom, With Love – With My Love
From Mom, With Love isn't a traditional book you just read it's a customizable keepsake that you create over time. It invites expecting mothers to reflect on their life, their values, and the experiences they wish to share with their child. By starting to complete it during pregnancy, a mom can capture her emotions, dreams, and precious moments from the very beginning of her motherhood journey.
This book for mom becomes a timeless gift, a personal story that a mother leaves behind for her child. As the years go by, her child will have a living memory filled with love, lessons, and family heritage. It's a deeply symbolic project that grows alongside the baby making it the perfect gift for a mother-to-be who wants to pass down her heart and history.
2. Expecting Better – Emily Oster
Expecting Better revolutionized pregnancy advice when it was first released, and it remains essential reading in 2025. Emily Oster, an economist, breaks down complex medical studies into clear, understandable advice, empowering women to make informed decisions about their pregnancy rather than blindly following outdated rules.
This book is perfect for moms who like to understand the “why” behind every recommendation. From caffeine intake to labor induction, Oster provides research-backed insights that remove the fear and pressure often associated with pregnancy. It's logical, reassuring, and refreshing.
3. Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth – Ina May Gaskin
Ina May Gaskin, one of the world’s most respected midwives, brings an empowering message through Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. The book shares real, inspiring birth stories from women who embraced natural childbirth, helping readers see birth as a beautiful, instinctive process.
Gaskin also provides practical advice on labor, birth positions, pain management, and navigating medical interventions. It's an uplifting and empowering read that helps mothers trust their bodies and face childbirth with confidence rather than fear.
4. The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth – Genevieve Howland
Genevieve Howland, better known as Mama Natural, offers a delightful alternative to traditional week-by-week pregnancy guides. Her book embraces a natural and holistic approach, combining medical facts with natural remedies, lifestyle tips, and heartfelt encouragement.
It's written in a friendly, accessible tone, making it feel like chatting with a supportive friend. Each week, Howland highlights what’s happening with your baby and body, while offering tips for nutrition, mindset, and preparing for natural childbirth, if that’s your goal.
5. Bringing Up Bébé – Pamela Druckerman
Bringing Up Bébé provides a fascinating look at parenting from a French perspective. Pamela Druckerman, an American living in Paris, observes how French children sleep through the night earlier, eat better, and seem more self-sufficient and she explores what parents can learn from these differences.
Expectant moms will love Druckerman’s humorous, insightful storytelling. Even before the baby arrives, her advice offers a fresh, balanced perspective on setting healthy boundaries and raising independent, confident children without stress.
6. The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother – Heng Ou
While most books focus on pregnancy and birth, The First Forty Days shifts the focus to what happens immediately after. Based on ancient postpartum traditions from around the world, Heng Ou emphasizes the importance of rest, nourishment, and emotional healing in the "fourth trimester."
The book includes nourishing recipes, rituals for recovery, and gentle advice for new mothers. It’s a nurturing, beautiful read that reminds women to care for themselves deeply after birth an essential message often overlooked.
7. Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood – Erica Chidi Cohen
Nurture is one of the most inclusive and supportive pregnancy books available. Written by doula and health educator Erica Chidi Cohen, it addresses both the physical changes and emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy with compassion and wisdom.
The book also stands out for its modern, non-judgmental tone. It acknowledges all types of families and birthing choices, providing exercises for mindfulness, affirmations, and practical advice. It's a comforting companion for moms-to-be who want a holistic view of motherhood.
8. Cribsheet – Emily Oster
In Cribsheet, Emily Oster applies her sharp analytical mind to the chaos of early parenting decisions. Covering topics like sleep training, breastfeeding, daycare, and more, she dives into the research behind every hot-button parenting debate.
Expectant mothers who appreciate evidence-based thinking will find Cribsheet an incredible resource. It takes the guilt out of decision-making and empowers parents to choose what's best for their family without being overwhelmed by conflicting advice.
