This, and "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" are the first two books I would suggest for the parents of a new baby. It has been called invaluable by parents of toddlers going through their "terrible two's." This was the most important book I read to help me understand why babies cry, and what to do about it. -L. Rubin

This book is great for all the things you want to ask your birth partner to do, but don't know how to say it. It also has lots of great ideas for nurturing support that you wouldn't know to ask for if you hadn't gone through the experience of labor and delivery. Not only for husbands, but for anyone else on your support team. (friends, sister, etc.) -L. Rubin

This book has great week-by-week images of the growing fetus and the expanding womb. I referred to it constantly through all my pregnancies. -L. Rubin

If you are not familiar with Louden's series of Comfort books, now (pregnancy) would be a good time to discover her seemingly endless list of ideas to self-nurture. A wonderful gift for someone who is stressed out during pregnancy! -L. Rubin

In this fascinating book, Verny explores the research on how a fetus' intrauterine experience can affect its emotional well being, I.Q., and more. You have heard of mothers strapping speakers with Mozart playing into her pregnant belly? This book will introduce you to ideas of prenatal stimulation that would have never occurred to you. One of my favorite pregnancy books. -L. Rubin

A similar book to "Secret Life of the Unborn Child" except that this book approaches the topic of prenatal bonding from a spiritual and intuitive point of view. This book gives confidence to every mother who has wondered, "am I really feeling the presence of my baby's soul?" -L. Rubin

This has got to be my all-time favorite reference book for conception, pregnancy and birth. A wealth of information on holistic and herbal remedies for every aspect of childbearing. -L. Rubin

If you are looking for a baby-shower gift, this has got to be on the top of the list! No new mother should be without it. It was a comforting guide through all the passages of new motherhood for me. -L. Rubin