From the moment you choose to try for a baby, it’s probably the only thing you can think about. Suddenly, you’re more in tune with the cries and snuffles of other people’s newborns than a sniffer dog on a hunt. And, while you may try to get on with the things you’ve always enjoyed, like reading a good book, your brain will constantly stray back to your future as a parent, and the things you’ll need to navigate before you can achieve that elusive goal.
Does this mean you should scrap the literature and spend the months simply sitting and waiting for a positive pregnancy test? Definitely not. You may, however, want to adjust the reading goalposts slightly to accommodate preparations for your new life plan. Luckily, there are plenty of great books worth reading when you’re trying to conceive, and we’re going to consider the best of them here.
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection
The Impatient Woman’s Guide to Getting Pregnant by Jean M. Twenge Ph.D.
Who knew that women were only actually fertile for a 24-hour maximum window every month, or that there are sure signs you’re ovulating? It’s astounding stuff, and you’ll learn all about it in ‘The Impatient Women’s Guide to Getting Pregnant.’
Dr. Jean Twenge is a mother of three and a fertility expert, and this book is a deep dive into everything you’ll ever need to know about conceiving, including when to have sex, and even how to tilt the gender odds of your baby in your favor!
A Bump in the Road by Elle Wright
In an ideal world, you’ll do the deed once and end up with a happy, healthy pregnancy. But what if, like Elle Wright, author of ‘A Bump in the Road’, you experience ongoing fertility issues that lead you down the IVF route? You’ll probably need reassurance and answers that are specific to your unique experiences, and that’s precisely what you’ll get with this book.
A Bump in the Road begins shortly after the tragic death of Elle’s three-day-old son, Teddy, and documents a three-year struggle to conceive again. Elle’s frankness about everything from grief to endless procedures could prove transformative to women experiencing similar journeys and feeling as though they’re the only ones experiencing such things.
Trying by Emily Phillips
So far, we’ve only discussed non-fiction picks, but what if your brain fancies a little light fiction? Trying, by Emily Phillips, is a great option.
This hilariously frank fiction about trying to conceive could well be the breath of fresh air that helps you to embrace this journey for all of its messy ups and downs. From trying to heat things up in the bedroom when babymaking starts to get in the way, to dealing with broader family issues when all you want to think about is a baby – this book has it all, and it’s sure to leave you smiling wherever you are in your conception journey.
Add these books to your trying to conceive TBR, and we bet you’ll feel less alone, and more positive about the process, in no time.
For more on this topic, check out the full Pregnancy Through Postpartum collection
