Then the two pink lines appear on the pregnancy test, whether it’s something you’ve been hoping for after months or years of trying for a baby, or you find yourself in utter shock at the positive lying in front of you, we can probably guarantee you’re going be feeling excited but probably incredibly anxious, especially if it’s your first pregnancy.
If you’ve made a conscious decision to start trying for a baby, swotting up on the subject might be the first thing on your mind. Yes, you can read most things online but being able to devour a book makes it feel a bit more real.
You might even want to start leaving pages open for your other half to read, making mental notes on what you should be eating and cutting back on to aid your fertility, how to make sure you’re timing everything right and giving yourselves the best possible chances of conceiving.
The thing is, getting the positive result is always portrayed as the most exciting part in the early stages but the weeks that follow can be some of the most stressful because most women in the UK have to wait until weeks 8-12 (sometimes even beyond that) to get their first pregnancy scans and find out if that embryo has a beating heart.
While patience is key, getting yourself some pregnancy books in the meantime is a good way to stay positive and calm. Reading has been shown to put our brains into a state similar to meditation, and it brings the same health benefits of deep relaxation and inner calm.
Finding a book on pregnancy and what to expect in the weeks and months can be incredibly comforting, like having a fairy godmother at your disposal, helping to answer all those questions and debunk the myths. The best books are often written by experienced experts – whether they’re mothers themselves or have been treating mothers for years – and offer practical, real-life advice.
Of course, there are a LOT of pregnancy and fertility books out there and finding one that hits the right balance between arming you with enough knowledge but not too much that you feel overwhelmed and frightened can be tricky. Fear not, these are GLAMOUR’s edit of the best of the bunch.
