📕 Expecting Better by Emily Oster
This book was invaluable when looking to conceive and once pregnant. Being pregnant can feel like a terrifying burden with a lengthy list of lifestyle changes and recommendations to become anxious about. Although written from an American perspective, it summarises the research behind many of these, which helps you understand the reasoning and likely actual risk to you. Short version: a bit of brie is unlikely to harm you or your baby! Buy the book online.
📕 Why Did No One Tell Me – Emma Brockwell
Really helpful practical information on what your body goes through during pregnancy and birth, what to expect, and how to heal. Made everything feel a lot less scary and more manageable. Buy the book online.
🎧 Midwife Pip podcast
I found Pip’s podcasts to be super relatable, and was reassured by her being a practicing NHS midwife. I also signed up to her Your Pregnancy Journey antenatal course (instead of NCT) which was especially invaluable in the early days when we weren’t telling many people about the pregnancy. Listen to the podcast through your preferred app. She now also has a book, Midwife Pip’s Guide to a Positive Birth, if you prefer her information in that format.
💻 Positive Birth Company hypnobirthing course
The science behind birth is fascinating, and I found this course to be super informative. They do tend towards anti-medical-intervention, so take some of this with a pinch of salt! Buy the course online.
📱 Social media accounts
I tried to edit my social media diet so that it was much more positive and informative in preparation for birth. There are loads of super helpful midwife/hypnobirthing/birth education social media accounts out there. I found it helpful watching ‘real’ and calm birth videos, though appreciate they’re not for everyone!
These are a couple of examples of some informative Instagram accounts: