When I was pregnant and a FTP or First Time Parent, I was very frustrated after trying to the famous book What to Expect While Expecting because it created more anxiety instead of helping me feel prepared and calm.
I couldn’t even finish it because I found IMO some of the information outdated and not based on good and credible studies. Basically, the book didn’t sync with what my German OB was telling me.
My goal during my pregnancy is to have a simplified and relaxed pregnancy. I wanted to be equipped with up-to-date information instead of being scared all the time.
So I looked for books that were based on credible studies that have a good sample size. According to my Germany OB, the places that were advanced and had good studies were Sweden and Denmark.
So I was really happy to find an economist, Emily Oster, was doing that work for me.
I hope these books also help you First Time Parents enjoy this beautiful time of baking that first bun in the oven! With less time freaking out.
1. EXPECTING BETTER: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong and What You Really Need to Know
WHERE TO BUY: USA • GERMANY
So I felt really hopeful and calmed the f*ck down when I found this book that was done by an economist. I loved it so much that I recommend every parent who is expecting to read it. Mind-blown and life-changed!
This may be the most important book about pregnancy you read.
Steven D. Levitt, Co-author of Freakonomics
So many things in the book were eye-opening and were in sync with what my OB told me. So I know it was advanced and on the up and up.
For example, my OB said I could have sushi (raw fish) as long as I was 100% sure that it was fresh and prepared safely. So hell yes I enjoyed my favorite sushi in a Japanese restaurant with a proper Japanese chef.
My OB also said that eating fish is good. Just like the book, that says the positive benefits to our child’s brain development of eating fish, outweighs the risk for mercury poisoning.
And best of all, because of my blood test that said I have the antibodies for toxoplasmosis, I was able to eat raw meat and continue gardening during my pregnancy. So it’s not automatic, you can ask your OB GYN if you have the anti-bodies. I was in heaven eating cold cuts during our babymoon in Florence and Pisa.
If it weren’t for this book, I would have been a paranoid pregnant lady. Because of it, I was a chill and happy preggo. I want you to be too! You can thank me later LOL!
2. PREPARING FOR A HEALTHY BABY
WHERE TO BUY: USA • GERMANY
This is another book that I read. It’s very thin and easy to read, and contains everything you need to know. I loved it so much that I gifted it to my friend who got pregnant the year after.
This is an easy book for both parents to read to make pregnancy easy and to prepare for a healthy baby.
3. PREGNANCY FOR DUMMIES
WHERE TO BUY: USA • GERMANY
This book is not something we read from cover to cover. It was the book that we would refer to when we had specific questions about my pregnancy. It’s such a great reference book when you have questions! The index in the back leads you straight to what you are looking for.
A must have for First Time Parents!
4. DAD’S GUIDE TO PREGNANCY FOR DUMMIES
WHERE TO BUY: USA • GERMANY
This is a great reference book for first time dads! It really helps them support us us moms while we are in a challenging, hormonal time!
It’s a great gift for first time dads. The moms will thank you too!
That’s it! These books made me feel prepared for anything! And made me a really chill pregnant lady. The opposite of my usually neurotic, bi-polar self. Of course I had a few episodes during my pregnancy – it can’t be helped with the hormones all over the place.
But it was much better than I ever expected! Because of these books, I felt equipped and confident! I want you to also have a calm and happy pregnancy so I hope these books have the same effect on you.
Of course, please consult your OB and Pedia for anything, just to be sure!
TIPS FOR BUYING ON AMAZON
If you want to save on cash, I highly recommend buying these books preloved on Amazon. They have a very good rating system and they are transparent with the condition of the books.
When I was in Germany, I enjoyed being able to buy a preloved book for Euros 0.99. Buying preloved is better for our wallet and the environment!
WHERE TO BUY IN THE PHILIPPINES
If you can’t find these books brand new in National Bookstore or Fully Booked, you can try searching for them second hand in the different Facebook Groups like DeclutterMNL, or on Carousell or Shopee.
In my experience, any book that National Bookstore or Fully Booked doesn’t have, you can pre-order from them and pick up after 2 weeks.
With this Pandemic though, I highly recommend getting a Kindle so that you can read any book you want without leaving the comfort of your own home.
If you like to read magazines, then you can get the Kindle Fire so it’s colored. The Kindle is the safest option for book lovers these days!
If you have an iPad, you can get the Kindle app to be able to read books there.
I was resistant to getting the Kindle until I realized:
- How convenient and light to have thousands of books and magazines at your fingertips. Because of the Kindle, I finally have nice shelfies that are a mix of colored/hardbound books and decorative items!
- A Kindle with backlight is much better for quality sleep. When I fall asleep while reading a Kindle, it just goes to sleep automatically and the room is dar. When I read physical books, I always fall asleep with the lights on. Then I wake up at like 5 in the morning, after having terrible quality sleep and shut my bedside lamp. Then I feel terrible the next day.
IF YOU’VE GIVEN BIRTH, READ BOOKS TO SIMPLIFY PARENTING!
If you loved my recommendations, please don’t forget to share them on Social Media! I would really appreciate it!
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