It is natural to have many questions, fears and doubts about something as transformative as pregnancy. Picking a pregnancy book is like having exclusive access to an expert all the time! If you like reading, here’s a list of the best books to read during pregnancy for the Indian woman!
Passport to a Healthy Pregnancy Book
This is the most popular book on pregnancy in India, perfect for even beginner readers. The author, Dr. Gita, takes you through week by week developments of the baby, along with colourful images for better clarity. It covers planning for a baby, precautions, post-delivery advice and some practical insights like how to bathe a new-born. Concise and informative, this book is an answer to most doubts that you would save for your doctor.
The Complete Guide to Becoming Pregnant
This book by Dr. Firuza Parikh, a pioneer fertility expert in India, walks you through laying a strong foundation for a healthy pregnancy for couples challenged by infertility. The book covers various health issues that can arise when you try to get pregnant, in simple to understand terms. Why is infertility increasing? Can diet or exercise help in infertility? The book answers these questions and works to dispel the myths surrounding fertility (like masturbation). The book also is peppered with illustrations, facts and case studies that explain the different assisted reproductive methods that you can try to conceive.
Pregnancy: What the Indian Woman Always Wanted To Know but Was Afraid To Ask
Do you really have to eat for two when pregnant? What breathing exercises can you follow during labour? This book by Nutan Pandit takes you through the A to Z of pregnancy, dispelling the common myths that befall Indian pregnant women. The book is written in an easy to read simple style, and imparts information on natural birth, caesarean, breastfeeding and the importance of not being fearful of your birth process.
The Pregnancy Handbook for Indian Moms: A Doctor’s Answers to All Your Questions
Another pregnancy essentials book, this whole book is written in a question answer format.
I’m Pregnant, Not Terminally Ill, You Idiot
Is pregnancy not all rosy as you thought it would be? Frequent loo trips, nonstop heart burn, hormone cravings, not enough milk, advice from distant aunties, colleagues, maid, postman, milkman, caveman… The author, Lolita Iyer, opens up into an honest account of what a woman goes through during pregnancy, in a completely candid narrative. Whether you are a home maker or a career woman, the cycle of emotions that the author shares resonates with all. Written on a lighter note to bring a smile to your face, this is the book for you if you want to know about the untold other side of pregnancy! There are also some cute illustrations with the text for extra fun.
Emotions and Elation
Emotions and elation takes you through the author’s journey of pregnancy. It touches many different elements, from being pampered by family, being separated from husband for a long time, and personal loss. The book talks about the joys and woes the author went through, that powerfully assures that you are not the only one to feel so many different emotions during a happy period. This wonderful account of the author’s pregnancy is an interesting read that highlights the different shades of a mother’s journey.
Yoga in Pregnancy & Childbirth
Yoga is letting go of your anxiety and staying calm! If you love yoga and want to practice it through your pregnancy, this is the book for you! The book covers ways for relaxation, diet advice and simple to do asanas that are safe for the pregnant woman! This book is useful for beginners to mid level yoga practisers.
Fit Pregnancy
This book by Namita Jain is all about exercises and diet for a fit pregnancy. Filled with healthy recipes, exercise routines, correct posture notes, travel advice and stretch mark management tips, the book offers helpful advice under many topics related to pregnancy. There is no month by month guideline though and the recipes are mostly north Indian cuisine based.
Pregnancy Blues: What Every Woman Needs to Know about Depression during Pregnancy
When we think of pregnancy, nobody thinks of the feelings of confusion, fear or even sadness we go through (some more than the others). While post-partum depression is something we recognize and accept, being low during pregnancy is often dismissed and almost a taboo to discuss. The author, Shaila Kulkarni, a reproductive psychiatrist, offers help, healing and hope from her 25 years of practice to understand depression better. If you think you are depressed, kindly reach out to professionals for help.
Ayurvedic Garbha Sanskar: The Art and Science of Pregnancy
The Ayurvedic Garbha Sanskar follows traditional scripts to advice the best yogic practices for the pregnant woman to birth an intelligent and healthy child. Although it is quite hard to follow all of its instructions, particularly for working women in nuclear families, it can be beneficial to follow as much as you can. The book has Sanskrit shlokas with English translation, monthly diet charts, mantras, home remedies for simple ailments and yogasanas to help women cross pregnancy guardedly. The book also features promotions to music CDs by Dr. Balaji Tambe, which he recommends to use along with the book instructions to expose the baby to good vibrations right from the womb.
Pregnancy Notes: Before, During & After
This book by Rujuta Diwekar walks you through different tips and notes on exercises and food for pregnant mothers. The author includes heritage recipes of grandmothers, but the recipes are mostly based on Maharashtrian cuisine.
My Yummy Mummy Guide
In this book, celeb mom Karishma Kapoor shares her experiences of two pregnancies, parenting and weight management. She offers style tips for the expecting mother, on juggling work and motherhood, about decorating children’s rooms and more. You can also get insights on how to enjoy your ‘me time’ as a new mommy and how to pick a nanny for your baby.
We hope you love our picks of the best books to read during pregnancy! Subscribe to our newsletter for more exciting articles coming your way!
