For these best expecting mom books, it was important find a collection of well researched novels that would empower a positive transition from maiden to mother.
I also wanted inspirational reads filled with real (relatable) stories on peoples self discovery journey; each with their own unique reflections on life.
That way I had a more a mindful and self developing transition into motherhood.
I hope these 10 books will help empower your journey as a new mom like they did for me!
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1. Reclaiming ChildBirth as a rite of passage: weaving ancient wisdom with modern knowledge
“Childbirth offers the potential for a woman to reveal and exercise her inner power and strength. At the end of the birth, I want a woman to know she could have done it without me, but be pleased she invited me to be part of her experience.”
Rachel Reed
Best selling author & midwife Rachel Reed, gives the perfect mix of history, science, and research to create a evidence-based framework for understanding birth.
The book advocates for women on feeling knowledgeable to feel confident in their birthing experiences, and also discuses how care providers can help facilitate that environment.
2. The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother. Heng Ou
In addition to nourishing 60 recipes, The First 40 Days gives practical advice on navigating the challenges typically experienced in postpartum, and how to build a steady support system.
3. Becoming Myself A Psychiatrist’s Memoir, Irvin D. Yalom
” His ideas about therapy and technique build upon a child-like curiosity and unquenchable thirst for learning about the human condition. The medium for delivery is Yalom’s brilliant story-telling.”
American Journal of Psychoanalysis
Even though this book isn’t necessarily geared towards only those preparing for motherhood, it’s still made it’s way to my top ten list!
I know that one of the most greatest gifts I can give my child, is by always making self development a priority.
Written by professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, Ivin D. Yalom reflects on everything he learned throughout his 90 years of life, through compelling stories, inviting us to contemplate the meanings of own lives.
4. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships Marshal B Rosenberg
“Dr. Rosenberghas brought the simplicity of successful communication into the foreground. No matter what issue you’re facing, his strategies for communicating with others will set you up to win every time.”
—Anthony Robbins, author, Awaken the Giant Within and Unlimited Power
Nonviolent Communication is based around integrating consciousness, language, communication, and means of influence:
- have more well-rounded relationships
- connect compassionately with others ( and our selves)
5. The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality, Kimberly Ann Johnson
The Fourth Trimester covers everything from transiting you and your family to motherhood, practices to restore health after birth, and how navigate relationships after birth.
6. Transformed by Birth: Cultivating Openness, Resilience, and Strength for the Life-Changing Journey from Pregnancy to Parenthood
“Transformed by Birth is the much-needed remedy for all of us striving to do motherhood ‘right.’”
(Ellie Knaus, founder and host of the Atomic Moms podcast)
Transformed By Birth helps you to clear any unwanted beliefs ( control, certainty, etc) and offers daily practices, rituals, exercises, and more to help you cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection.
7. Mindful New Mum: A Mind-Body Approach to the Highs and Lows of Motherhood, Dr. Caroline Boyd
Dr. Caroline Boyd (10 years NHS and health settings work experience) guide is full of psychological advice and self-care tips that will help you to embrace all things motherhood.
8. How to be a Calm Parent, Sarah Ockwell Smith
‘This isn’t a parenting advice book, it’s a book about you. The words you read in this book, however, will have a far greater impact on your children, than those contained in any parenting book you could read (and I count my own in that too).
Sarah Ockwell-Smith
Gentle discipline parenting expert, Sarah Ockwell Smith, is one of the first authors I came across in my pregnancy journey, and I am so glad I did.
Her book, ” How to be a Calm Parent” offers an abundance of exercises and practical advice to help us look inwards as parents.
She dives deep into tackling the challenges of our upbringing, ( and how it impacts our parenting style) letting go of perfection, and how to support our own basic needs as busy parents.
One of my favorite things about the book is she recognizes how our community isn’t set up to support parents ( expensive child care costs, lack of maternity / paternity leave, family who lives far away/etc) and offers practical wellness exercises based on that knowledge.
9. Rewilding Motherhood: Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality, Shannon K Evahttps://amzn.to/3V8um3Uns
If you don’t consider yourself spiritual or Christian then this book won’t be for you!
Rewinding Motherhoods guides women to rediscover their feminine spirituality and wellbeing by tackling the ins and outs of our daily routines- work life balance, solitude, personal identity, patience, and life mission for the common good.
10. Motherhood: Facing and Finding Yourself
” Lisa Marchiano has written a book all women need to read as they step across the threshold into motherhood. Between the stories and poetic writing style, Motherhood wraps the reader up in a supportive embrace that holds you as you blossom, over and over again, into your authentic version of a mother.”
Britta Bushnell, PhD, author of Transformed by Birth
What I loved about Lisa Marchiano, LCSW, book is the she places real life stories in her book which made it feel more related and practical.
She discusses how to welcome pregnancy and dealing with the “empty nest syndrome”, as a new adventure and exciting chapter in our lives.
I also loved how she gives personal reflection questions throughout the book, helping me to fully take on the advice offered, instead of it all going out the window the second I put the book down.