The time when you’re trying to conceive or after becoming pregnant can be a scary and unusual time for both the woman and the man. There are so many questions and concerns. Your doctor is your first resource, but there are only so many times you’ll feel comfortable calling them. So you’ll ask friends and family members. And when their experiences vary wildly, you’ll turn to books, apps, and online. Fortunately, information about pregnancy, maternity, and motherhood is abundant. Unfortunately knowing what to read can be a challenge. So we’ve gathered a few of our recommendations. Enjoy.

1. What to expect when you’re expecting, 4th edition

A regular best-seller, this 4th edition has seen Heidi Murkoff rewrite every section of the book, answering dozens of new questions. The book follows from pre-conception through week by week of your pregnancy providing insight into what to expect (no pun intended).

The book is information packed with tips and hints, and contains the right amount of humor to offset sometimes embarrassing topics. And of course, if you have an iPhone or Android phone, there’s a terrific free app that allows you to follow your pregnancy as well, and more.

2. Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

A classic and favorite of doctors and would-be parents alike the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy provides tons of pages of clinical information parents can use. It includes a week-by-week guide to your growing baby and the changes happening in mom too. “Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy is an essential pregnancy resource for parents-to-be.”

3. Your Pregnancy week by week

It’s a book that details the changes in your body and your baby’s as you progress through your pregnancy. It’s a classic guide to maintaining a healthy pregnancy while answering a majority of the questions you’ll naturally have weekly. It’s also a good resource for dads-to-be as well and involves both soon-to-be parents in managing a healthy maternity.

4. Belly Laughs

While this book by Jenny McCarthy may not be for everyone since it’s a raucous, no holds barred discussion of the “joys of pregnancy” - never-the-less it’s irreverent and sometimes crude humor does help diffuse uncomfortable topics. It’s a not-so-intensely medical discussion of what to expect, but still insightful and helpful.

5. Yes You’re Pregnant, but what about me?

There are lots of books written for expecting moms and loving couples. But Kevin Nealon’s man-centered epic outlines his stages of coming to grips with becoming a father in his “older years.” It’s a funny tome that offers a few useful tips along the way but mostly exposes the secret fears and concerns that all expectant fathers harbor to some degree. And it makes a good gift for dads in waiting when all the focus is usually on the soon-to-be moms.

6. The Baby’s Owner Manual At Last! A Beginner’s Guide to Newborn Baby Technology

For all the new parents who’ve quipped, “these things should come with manuals” now there’s an actual manual. Written by Dr. Louis Borgenicht, a celebrated pediatrician and his son it unfolds like a car’s owner’s manual but it’s actually quite illuminating and well done. The Baby’s Owner Manual is interspersed with schematic diagrams and charts and tips that are actually helpful and useful for young, inexperienced parents and it makes the perfect gift for anyone new to child rearing.

7. The Baby Sleep Book

While there are various opinions and guidelines on how to teach your child good sleeping habits from an early age - Dr. Sears’ The Baby Sleep Book is a good read for parents who are struggling with children with sleep difficulties or wish to avoid them. And if you are one of the unlucky parents whose child doesn't like to or want to sleep, this book may be indispensable.

8. The Portable Pediatrician

Another traditional favorite of old and new parents is another in the Dr. Sears library, the Portable Pediatrician. It’s comprehensive guide to all manner of childhood illness and emergencies. And while not a replacement for actual medical advice it will help parents match their reaction to the seriousness of a situation. It’s a guide that follows child rearing from infancy to teen years and is a staple in lots of happy, healthy homes.