My library's copy is the 5th Edition from 2018, which is the most recent version and I really appreciate its commitment to inclusive language (not all birthing parents are women! Not all birthing partners are dads! Nontraditional family structures like extended family or adoptive parents exist!) as well as extensive comfort resources and illustrations. My husband is more of an audiobook person, so I'm curious if I should obtain that version for him or if he'll lose out on illustrations charts.

While you could read this cover to cover like I did, it's probably useful as a guidebook where you pick between needed chapters as things come up. Very thorough, with extensive list of resources in the back for further reading/viewing in the case of online videos. While I suspect Penny leans more towards non-medicated/low intervention births, all necessary information for any kind of birth is presented. For example, in the chapter on pain medication, there is a table for gauging the birthing parent's pain medication preferences, and they mention that both extreme ends (either complete pain removal or lack thereof) are unrealistic expectations and as birth partner/doula/etc., you should pinpoint the fears behind why the birthing person feels that way and discuss scenarios where pain medication can/can't be applied.

Strongly recommended if you're assisting with a birth/newborn role, and want to know how to support your pregnant loved one. ( )

The literal best book for a partner of a parent-to-be. Useful for lists, for knowledge development, and for strategies. Basically if your partner is going to give birth, this is required reading. ( )

I read this about a month before my wife went into labor. It throws a lot of information at you, and I don't know that reading it straight through without, say, taking notes was particularly valuable. A lot of time is spent explaining certain holds and massages that by the time my wife was in labor, I had completely forgotten. But I guess the fundamental message is valuable: you should listen to the mother, and she should listen to her body, and avoid unnecessary interventions. We had a doula at the birth, for which I am immensely grateful, as she had internalized all this stuff, while a 400-page book is not the easiest referent in the middle of labor.

Recommended to us by a doula and chock-full of excellent information and advice. Focuses on the non-birthing partner's perspective (especially intimidating when it comes to what you might see in terms of pain if the partner opts against medication). Has a useful chart for identifying where you might fall on the "put me to sleep to deliver this kid" to "if I don't hurt I didn't do it right" spectrum, which uncollapses the endpoint caricatures and helps get everyone on the same page. ( )

A good read for expecting fathers. Tells you everything you need to know going into childbirth. ( )