Favorite Resources
For pregnancy, birth & postpartum
Whether you’re entering the realm of pregnancy and parenting for the first or the fourth time, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the vast array of resources you’re encountering. Not all books (or websites, podcasts, classes, etc) are created equal, and I’m delighted to share with you some of my absolute favorites. I hope they help you in your journey!
A note about inclusivity:
I celebrate and support all birthing people, and know that not all identify as women/mothers. While I aim to provide resources that use gender-inclusive language, some of the resources on my list still use very traditional gendered and heteronormative language.
If this language doesn’t match your gender identity or family structure and that makes it hard to stomach, please ask me for a more finely curated list of recommendations to support you better.
Books
Transformed by Birth - Cultivating Openness, Resilience, and Strength for the Life Changing Journey from Pregnancy to Parenthood: Britta Bushnell
Like A Mother - A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy: Angela Garbes
Expecting Better - Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong, and What Your Really Need to Know: Emily Oster
The Birth Partner - A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions: Penny Simkin
Real Food For Pregancy - The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition: Lily Nichols
Cribsheet - A Data Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, From Birth to Preschool: Emily Oster
The Fourth Trimester - A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality: Kimberly Ann Johnson
The First Forty Days - The Essential Art of Nourishing The New Mother: Heng Ou
Breastfeeding Made Simple - Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers: Nancy Mohrbacher
ONLINE RESOURCES / PODCASTS
Evidence Based Birth
Database of evidence based articles on all things pregnancy and birth related.
Birth Monopoly
Resource for understanding your rights as a birthing person, as well as preventing birth trauma and obstetric violence
Spinning Babies
Pregnancy and labor methods for encouraging optimal fetal positioning and the smoothest possible physiological birth.
Miles Circuit
Three positions designed to help with optimal fetal positioning in labor
Birthful: “Informing Your Intuition”
Adriana Lozada’s Birthful podcast features fabulous interviews with perinatal professionals alternating with birth stories from new parents
The Birth Hour
A birth story podcast, hosted by Bryn Hunt-Palmer, also featuring a thorough resource guide on the website.
Homecoming Podcast
Homebirth stories from black birthing people, hosted by Chae Pounds and Isis Rose.
Birth Equity & BIPOC resources
BIPOC in the Bay
Resource network of BIPOC birth professionals in the Bay Area
SisterWeb
A San Francisco Community Doula program providing BIPOC birthing people with culturally compatible birth companions
Your Birth Partners
Grant program providing virtual doula support to BIPOC and other marginalized birthing people.
Roots of Labor Doula Collective
Bay Area BIPOC doula collective
Protecting Your Birth - A Guide for Black Mothers
Recent NY Times article
SF Bay Area Resources
Pregnancy and Family supplies, resources, and education spaces - each of these offers a wide range of classes for new and expecting parents, referrals for perinatal professionals of many kinds, as well as sales (or rentals) of everything from baby carriers to birthing tubs to diapering supplies to nipple creams.
Natural Resources
1051 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110
Then Comes Baby
3657 Grand Ave, Oakland CA, 94610
Blossom Birth and Family
290 S California Ave, Suite A, Palo Alto, CA 94306
LGBTQ Perinatal Wellness Center
3207 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland, CA, 94610
San Francisco Birth Center
2300 Sutter Street, #301, San Francisco, CA 94115
Nightingale Birth Center
327 N San Mateo Drive, Suite 4, San Mateo, CA 94401
Bay Area Homebirth Collective
Michelle Welborn at Welborn Baby
Kara Engelbrecht at Mothercraft Midwifery
Birthland Midwifery
Thriving Life Wellness Center (chiropractic care specializing in pregnancy, postpartum, and babies)
557 Waller Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
Pelvic Health and Rehabilitation Center (pelvic health)
Locations in SF, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Los Gatos
Karen Hodges, DPT (pelvic health as well as full body physical therapy)
Jane Austin Yoga (THE BEST pre/postnatal yoga - Jane is brilliant, nurturing, and irreverent)
Every Mother (Method designed to prevent or heal diastasis recti, as well as overall fitness)