The Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook: 100 Nutritious and Delicious Recipes for a Healthy 9 Months and Beyond

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We researched the pros and cons of each pregnancy book, including its format, the complexity of the information and the reputations of the authors. Finally we looked at which pregnancy books worked best for each scenario to bring you our final list of recommendations. About the author Not to be confused with hypnosis, hypnobirthing teaches a variety of relaxation and breathing techniques to help mums-to-be work with their body to make their labour a more calm and comfortable experience. With a focus on educating and changing your mindset, away from fear and negativity and towards enablement and empowerment, hypnobirthing has grown hugely in popularity over recent years.

Siobhan Miller is an expert hypnobirthing teacher and founder of The Positive Birth Company. In this book, she aims to make hypnobirthing more accessible for every mum and every kind of birth, whether at home or in the hospital. You'll also find this book topping our guide to the best hynobirthing book as recommended by Mumsnet users. Real Food for Pregnancy provides nutritional management of nausea, food aversions, heartburn, constipation, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes (and discusses pros/cons of all testing methods), and much more regarding pregnancy-associated medical conditions and symptoms. (Note that Lily’s other book, Real Food for Gestational Diabetes, focuses exclusively on the nutritional management of gestational diabetes.) Although this book is not necessarily a pregnancy cookbook, it does talk a lot about pregnancy nutrition, the myths and truths behind all the information on what food you can and cannot eat during pregnancy, and as a bonus, it also has nutritious recipes to try for your pregnancy. New moms also love this pregnancy book because it has information on postpartum recovery. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby, considering hypnobirthing, seeking guidance on eating well during pregnancy or simply looking for a lighthearted read to raise some much needed laughs, we’ve got you covered.There are loads of inspiring drinks in here that you’ll probably continue to enjoy, even after baby is born, and particularly when you’re breastfeeding. I loved The Positive Breastfeeding Book by Amy Brown. She is a leading researcher into infant feeding and firmly places women, informed choice and evidence at the centre of her work.” (Recommended by Mumsnet user OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea) I have Your No Guilt Pregnancy Plan by Rebecca Schiller, which is great if you want something that won't panic you and tells you what your rights are in pregnancy, what you're entitled to, etc. It also has some lovely real-life stories from women with both negative and extremely positive experiences, which I found reassuring."(Recommended by Mumsnet user Miller2021)

Although it isn’t necessarily a pregnancy cookbook, I added this book here because it does talk about food as it relates to pregnancy, and is a great book to look to during your pregnancy. The Drinking for Two book is written by Kerry Jane Criss, who holds a MS in Nutritional Epidimiology, and Diana Licalzi Maldonado, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Before joining the content team at Mumsnet, Jenny worked as a journalist for newspapers, radio, TV and b2b trades magazines for over a decade. She is also a bestselling sci-fi author (writing as J M Briscoe) and parenting blogger. Since the focus is on real, wholesome food, it’s another of those books that will continue to be useful to feed the family after your pregnancy, too. Filled with month-by-month guidance, information on birth plans and advice on preparing to support labour, this book can help dads feel more prepared and less overwhelmed, helping them navigate through some of their own personal fears or anxieties around parenthood.The recipes seem to be a little more creative than others, incorporating some lesser-known ingredients. If you’re a meat and two veg kinda person, this might not appeal, but if you’re a foodie – go for it. Megan Imhoff, writer, mom, and founder of Ish Mom, says, “ Remember that the idea of “eating for two” is a myth. The extra calories required in pregnancy maxes out at about 500 in the third trimester. That’s two double-stuffed Oreos.” Straight to the point, factual and science-based. It goes into detail about exactly what is happening in your body and why, without being patronising or dumbing things down for the reader.” (Reviewed by Mumsnet user Turtleturtle81) Our verdict This book is REALLY good! It’s not patronising and it gives you a really good breakdown of what to expect and what’s going to happen and all your options from pain relief to cutting the cord."(Recommended by Mumsnet user MrsRose2018) In short, this book focuses on optimal prenatal nutrition to support both mother and baby. It provides an in-depth discussion of how maternal nutrient intake affects the development of baby and risk for complications, and subsequently identifies which nutrient-dense foods are necessary to “build a healthy baby.”

Area of focus: Are you looking for one book that covers everything from conception to childbirth, or are you happy to read a book focused on a specific area such as nutrition, breastfeeding or labour? Breastfeeding for the first time can be incredibly daunting. Whether you’re worrying about feeding positions, the quality of your baby's latch, engorgement or simply if your baby is getting enough milk, establishing a breastfeeding routine can be really overwhelming, particularly when met with well-meaning but conflicting advice from friends and family.The Natural Pregnancy Cookbook is by author, Dr. Sonali Ruder (also known as The Foodie Physician), who takes an extra step in this cookbook to detail how and why you should eat certain ingredients, and why they’re ‘good’ for you and baby.

According to Healthline, eating healthy is linked to good brain development and a healthy birth weight, and can reduce the risk of many birth defects. So it’s in your best intentions to eat healthy during pregnancy. What to avoid eating during pregnancy? Prepares you for some of the breastfeeding challenges you may encounter and how you can overcome them Myths and facts: Choose cookbooks that provide clarity on myths and science behind pregnancy facts; they also include many valuable insights, dos and don’ts of the prenatal phases, and ways to cope with postpartum discomfort. With so many pregnancy books to choose from it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s some things to take into account when making your choice: Whilst not the most detailed of texts, and covering mostly pregnancy and pre-birth content, this is a lighthearted and informative read suitable for even the most reluctant of readers.

Written by Ryann Kipping, a registered dietician, this best pregnancy cookbook has recipes that incorporate wholesome ingredients that are pregnancy-safe so that you can take the guesswork out of trying to figure out what to eat on a day to day basis. It even has recipes that will help relieve cramps, as well as recipes that promote lactation. Navigating through your baby's first year can be full of highs and lows, including challenges such as postpartum recovery and sleep deprivation. At times, it can be hard to trust your instincts, particularly when you are constantly met with others' opinions or recommendations of the ‘best’ way to approach parenthood. Readers will also be able to identify what specific lab tests, supplements, and proactive steps they can take to support a healthy pregnancy, such as learning the crucial role of mindfulness and stress management, why moving the body is so important, which prenatal exercises are safe and which are not, and will also be given practical steps to reduce exposure to common toxins.