The Best Books for Expectant Parents 2018
2018-06-22
Be a surrogate
Planning a nursery, researching and testing baby gear, and reading up on what to expect while you’re expecting – and beyond – will make those three trimesters fly by. Before you know it, you’ll be greeting your little one – hopefully feeling as prepared as a new parent possibly can!
Best Pregnancy Books
What to Expect: The First Year by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
With over 11 million copies in print, now in a completely revised third edition, Murkoff and Mazel’s book is one of the world’s best-selling, best-loved guide to babies.
What to Do When You’re Having Two: The Twins Survival Guide from Pregnancy Through the First Year by Natalie Diaz
This is the definitive how-to guide to parenting twins, covering how to make a Birth Plan checklist, sticking to one sleep schedule, stocking up on all the necessary gear, building one-on-one relationships with each child, and more.
Best Surrogacy Books (For Parents)
There are also specific books on what to expect when you’re expecting through gestational surrogacy.
Successful Surrogacy: An Intended Parents’ Guide to a Rewarding Relationship With Their Surrogate Mother by Susan MZ Fuller
Unique, insightful, and moving, Susan MZ Fuller’s Successful Surrogacy traces her own journey as surrogate mother from start to finish. Few books are as compelling as this.
Surrogacy: An Essential Guide to the Surrogacy Process, Surrogacy Costs, and Finding a Surrogate Mother by Dianne Whitfield
For many newcomers, surrogacy can seem like a complex and intimidating process. Luckily, this book on surrogacy is an excellent starting point, offering those interested in surrogacy an easy-to-follow guide as well as a more in-depth view of the process. Whitfield breaks down the associated legal, financial and emotional components, creating a book that acts as a great entry-level guide for those asking whether surrogacy is the right decision.
Best Surrogacy Books (For Gestational Carriers)
If you’re a gestational carrier, there is a whole different set of books for surrogates you and your family will enjoy during the pregnancy. To help children understand surrogacy, there are several great reads that discuss the process. As surrogacy becomes even more mainstream, the library continues to grow. A few classics include:
The Kangaroo Pouch: A Story About Surrogacy for Young Children by Sarah Phillips Pellet
A great book for parents looking to explain to their child what surrogacy is, the story follows Oliver, a young kangaroo, whose mother decides to help another family have a baby. Phillips depicts the journey of couples and families going through surrogacy, answering sensitive questions that children may ask, such as: “Why would someone use a surrogate?” “What will family life be like during the pregnancy?” and “What happens when the surro-baby is born and given back to their biological parents?”
Sophia’s Broken Crayons: A Story of Surrogacy from a Young Child’s Perspective by Crystal A. Faulk
Recommended for children ages 2 to 6 years old, it tells the story of Sophia, who is heartbroken when she discovers all of her crayons are broken. Her friends share their crayons with her as she experiences seeing her parents choose to give the gift of surrogacy to their friends. She learns about sharing and helping out friends in need as well as why mom and dads choose surrogates to help grow their families.
McKenna’s Surrogacy Coloring Book
This coloring book is a surrogacy story from the perspective of a surrogate’s child, and is ConceiveAbilities’ acknowledgment and thank you to all of the wonderful children whose love and support help their moms give an extraordinary gift to another family.
For intended parents looking to learn more, be sure to read our blog post about the top 4 things you should know about surrogacy. If you are interested in becoming a gestational surrogate, our team would love to speak with you – contact us!