Today, let’s talk about pregnancy as a Christian Mom. There are some pretty amazing Christian pregnancy books out there, both for moms and kids! I want to encourage you with some of the best books to read when pregnant, before you reach that point of overwhelm, if at all possible. If you can’t quite manage that, then read them anyways!

Giving birth to a tiny human, made in God’s Image-Such a privilege, whichever way it happens! Mine were both c-sections. The first six weeks postpartum (or as my mom says, “Post Part’em!) are beautiful but far from easy!    

You are completely exhausted. And you hurt. And everyone wants to hear how well you are doing, and how excited you are about your new bundle of joy. Which you are. Absolutely. No question. But, could I have a nap? Please?

And by day 3, it gets better. Week 4… week 7, the exhaustion and fears are more under control.  You don’t fear the pain of laughing or sneezing anymore. Brain fog fades. Energy returns, a little. It’s awesome!    

And that little person? You start to see personality, and communication beyond just “feed me” “change me” “help me with this gas bubble!” It’s fun. It’s still exhausting, but now, it’s different. There’s a relationship being built.

I have had two pregnancies. And two c-sections. The first was unplanned, probably an hour shy of being a full-blown EMERGENCY. The second was carefully planned and researched.    

Neither one was quite what I expected. And my journey through c-section recovery was complicated in different ways each time.      

Both were unforgettable blessings, and God has given us 2 healthy boys.    

The first six weeks after each birth had many similarities and some distinct differences, and if sharing my story-and my favorite Christian books for expectant mothers- helps someone in their journey, then in the lyrics of one of my favorite songs: to God Be the Glory, for Great Things He Has Done!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may make a small commission. I only recommend books and resources that I’ve enjoyed personally, or believe that you would like. You can read my full disclosure here. You will also find information on Scripture translations there.

My Favorite Christian Pregnancy Books

The First Six Weeks: Thriving Naturally on Your Postpartum Journey: I wish I had this on my list of Christian pregnancy books the first time around! Rebekah does an excellent job of explaining what to expect from delivery through your first 6 weeks.

She has lots of tips and suggestions, and is good at saying “try this, Unless___” which is so helpful!! There are food recommendations, remedies for common issues, and encouragement to give yourself grace!!

She talks you through baby’s meal choices as well without trying to sway you in one direction or the other, though she does say breastfeeding is free, which isn’t exactly true. It’s free financially, except for any tools or accessories you might buy. But breastfeeding costs you in energy, time, etc. I 100% believe in breastfeeding and its many benefits, but I do acknowledge its cost, too.

[I received an advance copy to read, and was not required to give a positive review, all thoughts are my own]

Bouncing Back from Pregnancy (Body By God): I found this Christian pregnancy book shortly after having my firstborn. It is so cool! It covers the modern scientific understanding of WHY God made all of those dietary laws for the Israelites, which is fascinating.

This is one of those Christian Pregnancy books that covers everything from food tips to safe exercises to self-care, from the beginning of your pregnancy all the way through your postpartum recovery.  I highly recommend it for all of its solid, gentle encouragement.

Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth is a Christian pregnancy book that takes you week by week through pregnancy. It is fascinating for parents, and perfect for helping an older sibling connect with the new baby from day 1.

Christian Books for Pregnancy Reading

If you happen to have time for extra reading during your pregnancy, then I would recommend these Christian books for pregnancy reading. A little something to prepare your mind for upcoming possibilities. They aren’t exactly Christian pregnancy books, leaning more towards parenting, but if you get their truths and encouragements into the back of your mind before you need them, they just might save you a bit of heartache and stress down the road!

Here are some excellent mom devotionals, that you might want to get started with now, just to help you with casting a vision, and preparing your heart. Mom life is beautiful, if hard, and starting with pregnancy devotions is always good!

I would highly recommend Past Forward, and Aggie’s Inheritance as Christian fiction series all parents should read for tips and encouragement in parenting, especially when your situation or parenting methods aren’t quite ‘normal’ to those around you.

Let Them Be Kids is a parenting book that would definitely make the list of Christian books for pregnancy reading. It’s full of inspiration and strategies that will prove invaluable if you’re planning ahead, or if this isn’t your first pregnancy!

Leaving Your Mom Legacy is a devotional book that really does beautiful things! It’s a study of some amazing Moms in the Bible, then it dives deep into making these truths personal. I can’t recommend it highly enough whether you’re already a mom, or still reading Christian pregnancy books until you can hold your precious little one in your arms!

Pregnancy Fitness

I’ve recently discovered the Fit2B organization. There is a wealth of resources for gentle strengthening and recovery, and the owner/instructor’s goal is to teach us how to properly use and care for this ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ body that God has given us.

Specifically, there is a prenatal course that is safe for all trimesters, giving you both education and exercise, and a postnatal course for recovery and getting all those stretched and separated muscles reconnected and in tune.

She’s even put together a special course for caring for your core through miscarriage and infant loss. I pray you don’t need this, but I’m beyond thrilled that it exists, because many wonderful women need this encouragement and comfort offered to them. And Beth of Fit2B is nothing if not comforting and encouraging.

God’s Gifts: Why I Have C-Section Recovery Tips and Christian Pregnancy Books to Recommend

With our first, I didn’t spend a lot of time reading Christian pregnancy books, though I wish I had. It would have better prepared me for pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. But I didn’t, so I’m learning as I go, and that’s fine.

I had high hopes of a “natural birth” that first time, with the same midwife who delivered both my younger brother and my niece. A fantastic setup, with great care and birthing classes. I even discovered that cloth diapers were an option since they are without pins now!!! (Still using and loving them the second time around.)    

God had other plans, though. After 25 days of prodromal labor [basically no driving, plenty of genuine contractions that went nowhere], and another day with my water broken, I never dilated. C-section time!

No research, no real  familiarity with the procedure or recovery, a Dr and facility I’d never met,   …all I could think to ask was “will it make the contractions stop??!”    

The second time, we decided that c-sections are more predictable, and had been assured that c-section recovery the second time should be easier. This meant finding a traditional doctor and doing research on what’s normal, possible, and best.  

Also working with my healthcare sharing ministry on details for reimbursement (This part was awesome! I was using traditional insurance last time, what a difference!). The second C-section was better, though you can bet I was singing some of these songs very softly on the operating table, pretty sure no one could hear me.

C-Section Recovery, Round 1:

Remember those 25 days of contractions I mentioned? When you have major surgery on muscles that have been through that much exercise? The nurses had to “bully” me into taking a couple of walks around the maternity floor, by saying it was required for going home. Movement and recovery were slow, I still winced at every sneeze 2 years after!  I had to have help getting in and out of bed for days.

Aside from “second-night syndrome” which I had never heard of (and apparently neither had my nurse that night), nursing was easy with my first. Weaning was tricky, but once I had a list of foods he could actually eat, we made it a game and weaned in days.  

C-Section Recovery, Round 2:

Once I was free to get up, I moved very slowly, but by the second time, I could do it myself! (I was so proud!) It’s amazing how much better rested muscles handle trauma! 8 hours later, I voluntarily took a walk with an awesome friend who came to help for a bit, while my husband stayed in the room with our newborn.

The nurses and midwife who was in the hall were surprised. It was a different hospital, so maybe there are different rules and expectations? I’m not sure, but from the start, my second C-section recovery was off to a much better start than the first!    

Nursing was almost impossible with the second. The nurses had to literally force a latch every time. I couldn’t do it. We didn’t make it 24 hours at home before I started exclusively pumping. He would not latch voluntarily, and I was in A Lot of pain.    

Guess what: both boys were tongue tied!!  Apparently, there are 2 types, one that affects eating/nursing, and one that affects speech. I had one of each! This is not something that every pediatrician can identify.

Which is why my first was 2 years old before his was diagnosed- Soooo Frustrating. I was specifically asking the second time and was told no several times. By different Doctors.    

Finally, we took him to a pediatric dentist who did the evaluation for free, in a no-pressure way, and has a reputation for not doing unnecessary procedures. Corrected it on the spot, too!    

The First Six Weeks at Home

Now I realize not everyone has this privilege, to be able to stay home with your newborn, and some wouldn’t consider it a privilege (which is very sad!), but I was so blessed in my C-section recovery!

My mom came to stay with us for a few weeks before each baby arrived, and several weeks after as well. Among many other things, like cooking, driving, burping the baby…she functioned as my other brain. Would give me prompts “maybe you should _ while the baby is happy” oh yes, I should! That’s a Great Idea! Or ask important questions of the doctors (and remember the answers!).

Even with her help, in those first three weeks, we were proud of ourselves if we managed to get everyone fed and dressed [and bonus points for showers] by 10 AM!!

I felt so accomplished the first time I completed each task solo, whether it was cooking dinner, a load of laundry, a trip to town… A midnight feeding that mom was able to sleep through was a HUGE success!

Between the extra time and energy of pumping and the trip to the children’s hospital emergency room on day 11, there were days during those first few weeks I felt like I would never manage to do what was necessary, much less anything extra!

I am fortunate enough that I have awesome friends and family who helped out with meals and giving the big brother attention and activity. [This one even makes really cool signs!]     All of this made a big difference.

C-section Recovery and recovery after any type of birth experience is HARD!

If you need help, ASK! Be specific. They want to help, but either they don’t know what you need or don’t want to interrupt, figuring you will ask if you want to!  

Top Christian Pregnancy & C-Section Recovery Tips:

I know there are tons of helpful pregnancy advice and C-section recovery tips out there, but I’ll add my two cents worth anyway!

During Pregnancy:

Read Christian Pregnancy Books: scroll back up and take the time to read a few of these Christian pregnancy books. They’ll help. They’ll give you information, inspiration, encouragement, tips, etc. It makes a difference! Yes, I’m a book-lover. No, that doesn’t mean you should tune me out!

Strength Training: Use a Medicine Ball in the months leading up to birth. Strengthening the arms for all of the extended arm bouncing that keeps most newborns happy!  Take the Fit2B Prenatal Course. Get your body ready, and make a friend who’s been through this, and is there to help.

Placenta Encapsulation: This is an amazing procedure! If you haven’t heard of or done any research on this, please do! The First Six Weeks has a good description or do a quick online search. Fruit of Your Womb has a lot of info on their site, and actually are set up for encapsulation by mail, if you need them! For me, they returned the capsules within about 30 hours, and it sure helped!    

Stock the freezer! Make lots of french toast and muffins and quinoa bites, and cooked meats (or at least marinated), crockpot meals, and casseroles!

Support: join a local [or not] Facebook group with women going along the same journey. A breastfeeding group, or a new mothers group. Ask questions. These ladies are awesome and so helpful!!  

Packing Your Hospital Bag:  

There are lots of important things to put in your hospital bag, and a quick web search will yield tons of results. The one thing that I didn’t expect, was just how cold I could get.

Staying Warm: Grippy Socks and flannels/sweats: you just lost 10-20 pounds, approximately, and a decent percentage of that was an independent heat source! Your body will need a little time to adjust and regulate properly!   Plus, long sleeves with no zipper: something to keep your arms warm in the ice-cold hospital, but without a zipper that could scratch the baby.  

C-Section Recovery Tips For After You Get Home:

Expect Fire: First Time C-Section recovery tips should be mandatory! Seriously, as you begin moving around after a C-section, your nerve endings begin waking up. It feels kind of like they are on fire. This is normal! It doesn’t last more than a day or two, generally!  Scared me silly the first time, because I thought I’d ripped something open inside. I wish someone had shared a list of recovery tips with me the first time. I was so lost!

Don’t Overdo: Take it easy while you recover. Don’t try to do too much too fast. Give yourself a week or three before you try to be all independent, if it’s at all possible.

Faith and Fitness after Childbirth: Many of the faithful workouts and all of the fitness devotions listed here are designed with post-pregnancy life in mind, so you might want to give them a try as you recover and begin to get moving.

Life with Newborns:

Pediatric Dentists: if you are concerned about a tongue tie, instead of an ENT specialist, consider a Pediatric Dentist. Call a couple of each in your area, ask about their experience with the procedure, with a child the age yours is. Do they use a laser? THEN compare prices and insurance, etc.    

Nursing: if you are having difficulties nursing, and don’t have easy access to a lactation specialist (awesome and available I’m most hospitals, I believe), try Kellymom. Just google a few keywords describing what is going on, and include the word “kellymom” and you will find a ton of information. I also got a lot of encouragement from this post right here!!

Pump and Dump Warnings: If you have to have a CT scan (or anything else) for some reason, and the tech tells you that you will need to pump and dump for 24 hours or something, AS they are injecting you with contrast, DON’T PANIC!! Ask them to write down the exact name of what they used, and do your own research. A majority of the time, pumping and dumping is not necessary. {ask me how I know!}  

Your Turn

Well, now you know more about me than you ever wanted to! I hope it helps you though. It’s been quite an experience, and I love my boys. They make things more fun, even as they exhaust me, they make me smile far more often than I would otherwise!! I’m still discovering Christian pregnancy books I wish I’d seen before, so this post will probably continue to grow.

What are your favorite Christian pregnancy books and resources for the first 6 weeks, and C-Section recovery tips?

Until Next Time, Love God, Love Books, Shine The Light!!