Recommended Reads // The Best 5 Books to Buy in Pregnancy

Pregnancy comes with a thousand questions, a million emotions, and more advice than you ever asked for. In between the scans, the lists, and the late-night Googling, a good book can be both a comfort and a guide.

Whether you want practical tips, honest stories, or a laugh when you need it most, here are five of the best books to buy when you’re expecting.

1. What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff

The classic. Trusted by millions of parents around the world, this book walks you through pregnancy week by week, covering everything from morning sickness to birth plans. It’s like having a reassuring friend on speed dial always ready with practical advice.

2. The Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill

If you’re looking for empowering, modern guidance, this is the one. With colourful infographics and straight-talking insights, Milli Hill helps you understand your choices, your body, and your rights in birth. It’s all about going into labour feeling confident and informed.

3. Expecting Better by Emily Oster

Written by an economist (and mum), this book tackles pregnancy myths with hard data. Can you really not eat sushi? Is a glass of wine ever OK? Emily Oster lays out the research in plain English so you can make informed choices, without the guilt or confusion.

4. Nurture: A Modern Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, Early Motherhood - and Trusting Yourself and Your Body by Erica Chidi Cohen

This beautifully written guide blends holistic wellness with practical advice. Covering nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and postpartum recovery, it feels like a gentle, supportive hug for the whole journey.

5. The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody

Pregnancy books often stop at birth, but the postpartum period is just as important. This book dives into the first few months after baby arrives, especially for working mums balancing career and new motherhood. It’s real, honest, and packed with strategies for surviving (and thriving) after the hospital.

Pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but the right book can give you knowledge, reassurance, or simply a laugh when you need one most. From classics to modern must-reads, these five are a great starting point for any mum-to-be’s bookshelf.