Finding the ideal gift for a pregnant woman can be challenging, especially when you want to get her something she will appreciate and love. Pregnancy is a time of major physical and hormonal changes, so comfort, self-care, and support become the top priority.
To make the pregnancy journey of the special lady in your life smoother and more enjoyable, gifts that can soothe her aches, help her get a good night’s sleep, or offer a touch of relaxation will make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ve curated a list of the 10 best gifts for pregnant women with real benefits and glowing reviews. From pampering essentials to maternity must-haves, these gifts will be loved and put to good use. Let’s get started!
1. Pregnancy pillow
Pregnancy pillows make a great gift because as pregnant women progress into the second trimester, they are encouraged to sleep on their side, which is a safe-sleep pregnancy position.
Pregnant women won’t be able to sleep on their stomachs for obvious reasons, but sleeping on the back means the weight of the uterus, baby, and placenta rests on the main vein that carries blood to the heart.
Side-lying the entire night can become very uncomfortable, especially with the added frustration of hip pain, leg cramps, back pain, heartburn, and all the other lovely sleep discomforts that come with pregnancy.
Pregnancy pillows are designed to prevent mamas from rolling onto their backs and align the spine and hips to relieve pain and pressure while they sleep. They offer a lot of comfort and can seriously improve the quality of sleep your loved one is getting. The PharMeDoc full-body U-shaped pregnancy pillow has great reviews on Amazon and comes in several pretty colors. It is self-described as chemical-free, ultra-soft, machine-washable, and durable.
2. Maternity compression socks
Edema or swelling of the feet, legs, and ankles, is a common pregnancy symptom. During pregnancy, a woman’s body produces 50% more fluid and blood which helps with pelvic expansion and tissue softening to accommodate the growing baby. However, this excess blood and fluid also causes edema.
Compression socks are therapeutic socks designed to squeeze the legs and help blood vessels work more efficiently. The pressure improves circulation by relaxing the muscles and arteries in the legs.
Therefore, compression socks can offer much-needed relief if your pregnant friend or loved one is experiencing leg pain or swelling.
This 2-pack of Kindred Bravely Maternity Compression Socks has excellent reviews on Amazon. They are available in four colorways and provide gradual compression with greater pressure around the feet and ankles which decreases towards the sock opening.
3. Belly band or support belt
During the second and third trimesters, pregnant women experience lower back pain and abdominal discomfort due to the weight of their growing bellies. Belly bands are designed to be worn during these trimesters to support the abdomen and lower back and relieve pain.
These bands can also be used after birth to help the abdominal muscles heal and come back together, especially for women who have experienced extreme muscle separation. Belly bands by the brand KeaBabies would make a great pregnancy gift. These bands are inexpensive, highly rated, breathable, soft, and come in various sizes.
4. Prenatal yoga or fitness class subscription
Prenatal yoga is a stellar way for pregnant women to stay active. It also helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, prepare the body for labor, increase strength, and can even relieve some pregnancy symptoms such as back pain and headaches.
Therefore, purchasing your pregnant friend or relative a prenatal yoga subscription can contribute greatly to their health and well-being and that of their growing little one. The Womb Room offers FREE online prenatal yoga sessions every Thursday at 7 pm EST. Consider signing up your loved one for these free one-hour classes that they can do from the comfort of their own home.
5. Maternity or nursing pajamas
While regular pajamas can work during pregnancy, most women find them restrictive and uncomfortable after their bellies begin to grow. However, with all the baby items and other maternity things (bras, pumps, pants, tops, jackets, underwear, nipple and stretch mark cream, etc.), pajamas might slip one’s mind.
Being gifted a soft, comfy pair of PJs that your soon-to-be mama will look forward to putting on after a long day and is nursing friendly for when baby comes, will be a present they truly appreciate.
One lovely option to consider purchasing includes the Kindred Bravely Davy Maternity, Nursing & Postpartum Pajamas. These pajamas come in four colorways, have discreet nursing access, are quite stylish, and yes, they have pockets!
A slightly more bougie option is the Lila Labor and Postpartum Gown which is great for the hospital and breastfeeding. It is made of soft stretchy material and has a low back if your loved one opts for an epidural during delivery.
6. Essential oils for pregnancy (safe blends)
When well-researched and bought from a reliable source, essential oil use during pregnancy is safe and can help relieve pregnancy symptoms naturally.
For example, sniffing lavender oil can help alleviate nausea, ginger or ylang-ylang can soothe aching muscles, and a mandarin or lavender essential oil spray can help ease stress and improve sleep.
If your pregnant friend/family member is a fan of natural products or aromatherapy she will appreciate a gift of essential oils. The Labor-Less Delivery Essential Oil Blend by Edens Garden would make a lovely gift. The oil blend can be used for aromatherapy or diluted and used on the wrists, a few drops can also be added to bath water. Additionally, the oils are ethically sourced and contain no synthetic fragrances.
7. Foot massager
All the extra weight of the baby, the placenta, blood, an expanded uterus, etc. can put a lot of strain on the feet of pregnant women. Add to that edema that we mentioned earlier (swollen feet, ankles, and legs), and nothing will sound more soothing than a foot massage.
So, when shopping for your pregnant loved one, consider purchasing a great foot massager. Consider the H&B Luxuries Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine from Amazon. It’s reasonably priced and highly rated. It comes with a remote controller and multiple settings such as kneading, rolling, shiatsu, and scraping.
8. Self-care kit
If your loved one can’t go to the spa why not bring the spa to her? Consider gifting her a spa kit filled with goodies such as body oils and butter, soaking salts, nipple balm, and soothing gel. Founded by actress Jessica Alba, Honest sells a fantastic pregnancy gift set – Honest Pregnant + Pampered Gift Set.
The set comes with five items:
- Rock the Bump Body Butter
- Chill Mama Soothing Jelly
- Glow on Body Oil
- Me Moment Soaking Salts
- Calm Your Nip Balm
9. Maternity subscription box
The Crate Joy Oh Baby Box is a lovely little pregnancy and postpartum subscription box to sign your expecting loved one up for. Every box comes filled with healthy and fun products designed to spoil mom throughout her pregnancy.
You can opt for a one-, three-, six-, or nine-month subscription. Each box contains eight full-sized pregnancy and postpartum products. Free shipping within the U.S. is available on items tailored to your due date.
10. Pregnancy journal
Another special present for your loved one would be a pregnancy journal. These journals are a great way for the mama-to-be to document her pregnancy journey and the memories, milestones, and emotions associated with it.
What makes it extra special is that she can enjoy making it in the moment and share it with her little one when they’re older. This pregnancy journal by KeaBabies is adorable. It is an 80-page journal that comes in many colors and isn’t too pricey.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a gift for your pregnant loved one, it’s all about picking something that will make their life easier and much more comfortable. Whether it’s a pregnancy pillow, foot massager, self-care kit, or maternity subscription box, these gifts are practical but also show you care.
All the products listed above have been used and loved by pregnant moms so there’s no doubt your loved one will love one or more of them too. If you’re ready to brighten a mum-to-be’s day choose one of these gifts and make her smile.
