Recommended Reading

The included books are recommended by Align for pregnancy and labor preparation, postpartum care, and caring for infants and children. Please consult your care provider before making any decisions that may affect your health.

The First Forty Days

This is a great gift for expecting parents, reminding them to slow down and enjoy the special period of time after bringing baby home. Modern society praises women who “bounce back” after giving birth, and this book is a lovely reminder to slow down and enjoy baby, while healing and growing physically and emotionally.

Expecting Better

If you or someone you know is frustrated by contradicting advice and unexplained guidelines in pregnancy, then this is a great read for you. The author, Emily Oster, is an economist who reviewed the data and research behind common rules of pregnancy and childbirth, and uncovered inconsistencies, errors, and flat-out mistakes. This book will explain where these “rules” originated, and whether they hold any real weight in our modern world.

Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth

This incredible book will give any expecting parent the confidence to trust their body and instincts as they approach childbirth. The book includes stories, scientific studies, and observations from Ina May, an incredibly well-respected and experienced midwife (“the nation’s leading midwife”).

The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

Are you looking for real, easy-to-follow information on how to support your loved one through labor and delivery? This is a great guide for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and Labor Companions. The book is broken down into sections to make reference a breeze. A favorite section is “Comfort Measures for Labor” which includes drawings and descriptions of various laboring positions and which labor stage they are most useful for.