To Have and To Know

I've compiled a list of things expecting mothers should have in their mommy arsenals. Though most of them are not crucial, I've found that in my 21 weeks of experience, they can be quite convenient. I've also included information for friends and loved ones of mamas-to-be so they can get a grasp on what to get her if inclined to do so. The links will take you straight to the products I'm talking about. Be sure to read the side notes!

1. Prenatal vitamins
I don't think I really need to explain why these are important. If you become pregnant, get your hands on some of these asap. I did some research in my early weeks and realized that the Walgreens brand of vitamins is just as good, if not better, than the name brands. And they're cheaper!

Side note: Although I never experienced nausea resulting from my vitamins, many women apparently do. Here's my advice: Don't bother spending money to switch brands. Almost every prenatal vitamin has the same ingredients so one of them is not going to magically cure you. Instead, talk to your doctor and do your best to get the vitamins and minerals in your diet.

2. A Pregnancy/Childbirth Book
In my humble opinion, expecting mothers should have at least one guide book at their disposal. I did a lot of research and read plenty of customer reviews before I picked one. Many women said "What To Expect When You're Expecting" used condescending language and cutesy puns, and when I flipped through it, I understood. One gentleman on Amazon.com said that if your pregnant significant other receives this book as a gift, your job is to "lose it."

"The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" is thorough, but also quite technical. I would recommend it for anyone who wants nothing but straight talk.

My personal choice was "Great Expectations: Your All-in-One Resource for Pregnancy and Childbirth." This book is comprehensive and easy to navigate, but it doesn't leave anything out. It includes week-by-week explanations of what is going on with the baby and mother's development, a cohesive guide to labor and delivery, and plenty of information on what products you need for baby. I give it five stars.

Side note: I highly recommend looking for a pregnancy book at Half Price Books. They're located all over the place, and the staff are more than happy to check for a certain book if you call. I plopped down on a stool in the store some time during my seventh week and looked at everything they had on pregnancy until I found the book I love, which I also trust because it was previously owned by a hospital. :)

3. Belly Band
Yes, this is essential. Unless you want to wear sweatpants for the duration of your pregnancy, you need to get your puffy little hands on one of these lovely things. The belly band allows you to wear your pre-pregnancy jeans. You just unbutton them and slide the elastic over the top to hold your pants together. It can also slim down a pair of maternity pants if you don't quite fill them out yet. Finally, the belly band will make the transition back to your old wardrobe post-childbirth a little smoother.

Though they typically come in several colors, I purchased a basic black band. If it happens to peek out from under your shirt, it just looks like the bottom of a tank top.

Side note: Don't bother looking for a super cheap one. Anywhere you look will sell them for about $15-$20. They're worth it. I bought mine at Target.

4. Small photo album
This item is on my list for a good reason. People want to see your ultrasound photos, but carrying them around loose runs the risk of damaging them. A durable, portable photo album means your pictures will be safe, but you can easily toss the whole thing in your purse. My photo album is a purple patent leather one from Crate and Barrel.

Side note: A little photo album makes a great gift if you're looking to give the mother-to-be something special and useful early in her pregnancy. Trust me, she'll appreciate the sentiment that you care about her pregnancy memories.

5. Portable notebook
A must have for jotting down just about anything. "Pregnancy brain" is a real symptom, so don't be fooled. Because so much extra blood is going to the baby, a little less of it goes to your brain, making mom slightly more forgetful than she used to be.

I've been using my notebook to jot down all kinds of lists- things I need to do, people I need to make sure receive baby shower invites, addresses for those invites as I gather them, blog ideas, etc.

Side note: My mom recently told me that there's nothing wrong with writing things down to help yourself out. Making notes doesn't mean you're incapable of remembering, it just means you don't HAVE TO remember. Who doesn't want their life made a little simpler?

6. Mini organizer
I'll admit that when I pulled this out of my Christmas stocking, I was a little confused. Now I get it. A little organizer with separate pockets is a lifesaver. I use mine to hold on to coupons and appointment cards right now, and I know it will come in handy when I start keeping track of gift receipts.

7. Spare cash
Pregnant women need a lot of food. You really don't want to get stuck somewhere without a snack. You may start to get dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous or all three, which obviously means baby can't be very happy either. Keep an extra $5 in ones on you for a snack machine or drive-thru.

Side note: Gift cards to food establishments make wonderful little gifts! They allow mama to make a quick, no-fuss stop for food completely guilt-free. I almost teared up the other day when a friend sent me a gift card to McDonald's so I could indulge in my beloved french fries. (Thank you, Callie!)

8. Thank You cards
Trust me, you want to have these on hand. You'll be glad you got them ahead of time when a friend gives you an impromptu gift. Believe me when I say that even a small token deserves a sincere "thank you." Just because you're pregnant doesn't give you a free pass from good etiquette.

Side note: I got my cards from Michael's craft store. Near the registers, they have a clearance section where you can find great stuff. I believe I paid 50 cents for a pack of eight cards, and I love them! Side note to the side note: Also keep stamps on hand. The mailman will not deliver your gratitude without a stamp.

9. Comfortable socks
I know this is a random thing to put on the list, but I wouldn't recommend them for no reason. I asked for fuzzy socks for Christmas, and my stepmom kindly obliged. Pregnancy means your feet will swell and get sore. Forgive me for getting all medical, but you really don't want to be walking around barefoot a lot. Pregnant women should try to avoid infections at all cost, so heaven forbid you step on something icky or sharp that could lead to a problem. You may also want to consider getting some with gripping pads on the bottom. Your growing belly will throw off your center of gravity a little bit, and they will help you to avoid slipping or falling.

I used to walk around barefoot all the time. I wore flip flops from March through November to let my feet breathe as much as possible and my soles were stained gray from who-knows-what. That was more acceptable when these feet were only carrying me around, but these days, I'm trying not to uphold the old "pregnant and barefoot" Kentucky stereotype.


So there you have it. Sorry for the overload of information, but I hope it was all useful. Please email me or leave a comment if you have an opinion to share as well!

Side note: I don't get paid or anything to endorse these products. Everything written above comes straight from my thoughts and experience. I know I make frequent mention of what things cost. That's because I'm in college and I'm cheap.