There are dozens of pregnancy guides available covering everything from multiple births to handbooks for new grandparents. Some of the more useful and better written ones are shown below. We have copies of all these books for you to look at in our waiting area. We also have a large number of Baby Name books that always seem to be most popular books in our library.

The New Zealand Pregnancy Book by Sue Pullon

Published by Bridget Williams Books Ltd. 2008

A pregnancy guide written specifically for New Zealand women. Clear, detailed and well written. We were delighted to be involved with the production of the new edition. If we haven't given you a free copy at your first visit please ask at reception for one.

Conception, Pregnancy and Birth by Miriam Stoppard

Published by Dorling Kindersley 2005

Very popular Australian version of a British book with lots of photographs and short explanations of most aspects of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. The original book has now expanded to a whole series by the same author ranging from "First Time Parents", "The Grandparents' Book", "Baby's First Skills", "The New Baby Guide: The First Three Years" and "Baby First Aid".

Pregnancy: A Guide to Healthy Pregnancy in New Zealand by Ann Noseworthy and Jacques Rousseau

Published by Massey University 2005

Another comprehensive guide written specifically for New Zealand Women.

The New Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger

Published by Dorling Kindersley 2003

Something of a British institution but in an Australian edition. Detailed with good chapters on preparing for labour and pain relief in labour. The author has also put her name to an expanding range of well written babycare guides such as "Understanding Your Baby Crying".

Up The Duff by Kaz Cooke

Published by Viking 2003

Irreverent Australian guide to pregnancy. A "Tell it like it is" approach with plenty of useful information beneath the humour. Described as "everything you need to know about the scary parts, the funny parts and your private parts".

What to Expect When You're Expecting by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi Murkoff and Sandee Hathaway

Published by Angus and Robertson 2004

An Australian edition of a very successful American book. Uses a question and answer approach and most of the questions you are likely to ask are covered. Has also expanded into a range of baby care books such as "What to Expect in the First Year", "What to expect when you're Breastfeeding", and "What to Expect in the Toddler Years".

The Haynes Baby Manual: Conception to Two Years by Ian Banks

Published by The Haynes Group 2006

"Covers all models and makes" according to the cover and provides a pregnancy and baby care guide for new dads in the same style as the old Haynes manuals that used to keep a million student cars on the road.

Twins & Multiple Births: The Essential Parenting Guide from Pregnancy to Adulthood by Dr Carol Cooper

Published by Bridget Williams Books Ltd. 2008

A detailed guide covering some of the special problems couples encounter with twins and multiple births.

Double Trouble: twins and how to survive them by Ema Mahony

Published by Harper Collins 2003

Excellent British book for women expecting twins.

Life After Baby Loss by Nicola Miller-Clendon

Published by Random House 2007

A New Zealand book written for women who have recently lost their baby later in pregnancy.

The Blokes Guide to Pregnancy by Jon Smith

Published by Hay House Inc 2008

An irreverent but informative guide in the same vein as Up the Duff but to sit on a guys side of the bed.

Your Pregnancy Week by Week by Prof. Lesley Regan

Published by Dorling Kindersley 2005

A very detailed British guide from the Professor of Obstetrics at a London teaching hospital. Significantly larger and more detailed than a lot of guides.

The Rough Guide to Pregnancy and Birth by Kaz Clarke

Published by Rough guides 2006

After guides from everywhere from Uzbekistan to Iraq the series has extended to pregnancy. Also available is a Rough Guide to Babies and Toddlers. In places a rewrite of Up The Duff but again one of the few guides your partner will read.

The Best Friends Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine

Published by Bloomsbury 1999

Another comprehensive guide. Full of the sort of hints and advice a rather conspiratorial "best friend" might give.

Your Pregnancy Bible by Anne Deans

Published by Carroll and Brown 2007

No attempt at modesty in the title but it does do exactly what it says on the cover. Quite possibly the only guide you'll ever need but with so much choice it's unlikely to be the only book you refer to.

The number of pregnancy and baby care guides available seems to expand monthly, with new books every month on baby care, breast feeding and "bloke" - orientated guides to being a dad. Auckland's bookstores usually have only a limited selection but can order them in. www.amazon.co.uk or www.amazon.com can also get most books to you within a week or two.