When someone close to you announces they’re expecting, almost all the gifts end up being for the baby: babygrows, soft toys, little blankets. Meanwhile, she spends nine months tired, with an aching back and endless medical appointments. That’s why the gifts for pregnant women that are most appreciated are the ones chosen with her in mind. Here are 15 useful ideas, how to choose by trimester and what to buy a pregnant woman who’s a first-time mum without falling back on the same old things.
- How to get it right
- 15 ideas with her in mind
- By trimester
- For first-time mums
- What’s best to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
How to get gifts for pregnant women right
Asking yourself three questions before you buy anything avoids almost every mistake:
- Is it for her or for the baby? The baby will already have a baby gift list and presents from the whole family. What’s for her tends to fall by the wayside.
- How far along is she? Early on, tiredness weighs more heavily; towards the end, sleeping and moving around get harder.
- What does she actually need? If she has a partner or her mum nearby, ask them: they’ll know whether her back hurts, whether she isn’t sleeping or whether what she needs is someone to cook for her.
15 gifts for pregnant women with her in mind
To help her rest better
- A pregnancy pillow in a U or C shape. Many pregnant women use one to sleep on their side, and afterwards it works as support for breastfeeding.
- Loose, soft pyjamas that button down the front, so she can still wear them after the birth.
- Comfy slippers that are easy to put on without bending down.
- A knitted throw for the sofa, in the colours of her living room.
- An eye mask and earplugs for afternoon naps.
Some time just for her
- A massage at a centre that offers treatments for pregnant women. She should book it once her midwife gives the go-ahead.
- A pregnancy photoshoot, a keepsake many women regret not having.
- A book or a subscription to an audiobook platform for when she’s resting.
- A body cream or a bath oil, as long as she checks at the pharmacy that she can use them during pregnancy.
- An afternoon at the cinema or a relaxed lunch with someone she’d like to see, organised by you.
For when the baby arrives
- Home-cooked meal vouchers: ready-made meals in containers for the first few weeks, when nobody has time to cook.
- A cleaning service for a couple of hours after the birth.
- A pregnancy journal to note down scans, cravings and first kicks.
- A large, pretty water bottle to keep close to hand at home.
- If there’s a dog or cat at home, a reusable pet hair roller for clothes and the sofa: it doesn’t need refills and makes it easier to remove hair at a time when cleaning is harder work.
What to buy a pregnant woman by trimester
The stage she’s at makes a big difference to what she needs:
| Stage | What tends to work |
|---|---|
| First few months | A pregnancy journal, a book or a quiet afternoon |
| Middle of the pregnancy | Loose pyjamas, a photoshoot or a massage |
| Last few weeks | Pregnancy pillow, slippers and help around the house |
| In hospital | Something for her, not just for the baby |
Gifts for pregnant women who are first-time mums
A first-time mum has more questions than things. So, as well as a little gift, anything that saves her work and worry is much appreciated:
- Your time: going with her to buy the baby’s things or helping her put the cot together.
- A note about your own experience, if you’re a mum yourself, with what you wish you’d known. Short and without lecturing.
- A hospital bag with things just for her: pyjamas, slippers, a travel toothbrush and a long phone charger.
If she’s your partner, our guide to gifts for my wife has more ideas for her birthday or for Christmas.
What’s best to avoid
- Hampers with alcohol. If they include cured meats or cheeses, ask first: there are foods it’s recommended to avoid during pregnancy.
- Perfumes, candles or essential oils, because many pregnant women are more sensitive to smells.
- Clothes bought in a specific size: her body changes from one month to the next.
- Advice nobody asked for, however nicely it’s wrapped.
Frequently asked questions
What should I buy a pregnant woman for herself?
Something that gives her comfort or time: a pregnancy pillow, loose pyjamas, a massage at a specialist centre or home-cooked meal vouchers for when the baby arrives. The important thing is that it doesn’t end up, once again, being a gift for the baby.
What should I buy a pregnant woman in hospital?
Something small and just for her: comfy slippers, button-up pyjamas or her favourite food, if she’s allowed to have it. Before you go, ask whether she feels like having visitors.
What should I buy a pregnant woman for her birthday?
A relaxed outing or a little something she can enjoy straight away, such as a book, a throw or a photoshoot. Avoid dinners with lots of people and alcoholic drinks.
What should I buy a pregnant woman for Christmas?
Something for resting and keeping warm, such as pyjamas, slippers or a throw. If you’d like to include the baby, add a small extra, but let her be the centre of attention.
In the end, the gifts for pregnant women that people remember most are the ones that look after her at a time when everything revolves around the baby. If you’re looking for a practical gift for her home, have a look around the Velia Select shop.