Suggested Book List for ABG Postpartum Doula Training

Welcome to ABG Postpartum Doula Training!

You will read (or listen to!) 10 books in total to complete our program.

No book reports are required; however, a thorough understanding of the key message within each book will greatly enhance your ability to serve clients as a professional upon your completion of the training program.

For each section EXCEPT the first and last, please read one book of your choice. 

Please begin your book selections with those listed under The Work of a Postpartum Doula, part 1. After that, you may read in any order.

*Links below are affiliate links and may earn ABG a small commission. You are of course welcome to purchase, borrow, or listen from any source.
ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - module: The Role of a Postpartum Doula

The Role of a Postpartum Doula

minimum of two books for this section, one from each part

Part 1 - With the Family:

Nurturing The Family: The Guide For Postpartum Doulas by Kelleher

Nurturing New Families: A Guide to Supporting Parents and Their Newborn Babies by Naomi Kemeny


Part 2 - Business & Communication:

The Doula Business Guide Workbook: Tools to Create a Thriving Practice


The Right-Brain Business Plan by Jennifer Lee


The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Ruiz (good guidelines for doula mindset work)

Chill and Prosper by Denise Duffield-Thomas (a bit off the doula path but great $$ mindset work!)


ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - Infant Safety / CPR

Infant Safety / CPR

There are no books to read for this module, as it is very thoroughly covered in our video trainings.

ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - module: newborn care

Newborn Care

choose one:

Your Amazing Newborn by Klaus and Klaus 

Touchpoints: Birth to Three by Brazelton (an OLD classic but one of my favorites)

The CALM Baby Method: Solutions for Fussy Days and Sleepless Nights by Mark Fishbein 

Happiest Baby on the Block by Karp (also available on DVD)

ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - module: baby feeding

Baby Feeding

choose one:

Breastfeeding Made Easy by Carlos Gonzolas

The Nursing Mother's Companion by Kathleen Huggins

Mothering Multiples by Kerkhoff Gromada (breastfeeding-specific)

ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - module: Birth Physiology & Healing

Birth Physiology & Healing

choose one:


The Essential C-Section Guide by Diana Sullivan

Birth Trauma by Kim Thomas


ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - module: multiples twins triplets

Multiples

choose one:

When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads by Dr. Barbara Luke and Tamara Eberlein

Twinspiration by Cheryl Lange

ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - module: postpartum mood disorders

Perinatal Mental Health Conditions

Please choose one of the following books to read (or listen to!)

Overcoming Postpartum Depression and Anxiety by Linda Sebastian

What No One Tells You:  A Guide to Your Emotions From Pregnancy to Motherhood by Dr Alexandra Sacks and Dr Catherine Birndorf

The Fourth Trimester:  A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions, and Restoring Your Vitality by Kimberly Ann Johnson  * (But please put a note that you can only use this book for one module as it is also listed in another)

This Isn’t What I Expected:  Overcoming Postpartum Depression by Karen Kleiman  

Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts:  A Healing Guide to the Secret Fears of New Mothers by Karen Kleiman 

ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - module: grieving and loss

Grieving and Loss

choose one:


ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - module: Growing Into A Family

Growing Into A Family

suggestion: choose more than one as you will work with various family types

After the Baby’s Birth by Robin Lim


The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson

The Mommy Plan by Valerie Lynn

The New Father by Armin A. Brott

The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance (Owner's and Instruction Manual) by Louis and Joe Borgenicht

Having Your Baby: For the Special Needs of Black Mothers-To-Be, from Conception to Newborn Care by Dr. Hilda Hutcherson and‎ Margaret Williams

Where's the Mother?: Stories from a Transgender Dad by Trevor MacDonald


ABG Postpartum Doula Training book list - module: diversity and inclusion in birthwork

Diversity & Inclusion in Birthwork

Additional book recommendations are mentioned within the videos of this module, but they are not required.

Bonus Reading: Professional Support