The 12 Best Gifts For Newly Pregnant Women (Not For Baby!)

If someone in your life just found out they’re pregnant – especially if it’s their first baby – consider giving them a congratulations gift. It’s such a nice surprise to send a gift to an expecting mom that has less to do with the baby and more to do with the new mama.

I’m currently around 8 months pregnant with my third, and this stage of pregnancy is brutal. I’m waddling everywhere, I cannot get comfortable at night, and I’m completely drained.

I feel overly qualified to write on this topic, so from my perspective (and I cannot see my feet), here are the best gifts to give someone who just found out they’re expecting a little bundle of joy.

1. Louis and Léa Subscription Box for Expecting Moms

One of the most innovative gift ideas for expecting moms is a Louis and Léa subscription. These monthly boxes include products that prepare and pamper mom + baby, made with love by local Canadian artisans and shops.

I personally tried out the August 2021 box, which featured cloth makeup removers, an extra-large muslin swaddle blanket, the most divine-smelling handmade soap, and a bandana teething bib. 

I love every single item that was in this box, and OMG that soap made everything smell like a luxurious spa.

The fact that this subscription box includes things for baby and mom makes it a standout to me.

You can gift an actual subscription, or you might consider one of their gift boxes, such as the Pamper Mama Box. 

The subscription is a ton of fun, especially if you can gift a 6-month subscription during pregnancy. It’s so fun to get a surprise in the mail every month with items meant to make pregnancy – and life with baby – a little more comfortable.

I also think this is a much easier version of doing some kind of gift basket for a newly pregnant friend. Louis and Léa does all of the product-hunting for you, which saves you a ton of time!

I was able to get an exclusive discount code to save you some money on this gift idea – be sure to use code MAMABOX for 25% off your first box on top of a FREE baby monitor with a 6 or 12-month subscription. This offer includes free shipping to Canada or the US, and if you’re in the US, you’ll automatically receive an additional 20-25% off because of the currency exchange. Woohoo!

2. PharmMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow

With my first baby, this kind of purchase didn’t fit into our budget at the time. And by my second baby, I felt like it would be a wasted purchase since I didn’t have it for my first pregnancy.

Well, here I am in my third pregnancy, with one month to go, and I caved and bought myself a PharmMeDoc pregnancy pillow. I cannot get comfortable at night – to the point where I’m tossing and turning and waking up constantly. And my poor husband is getting poor sleep because of it, too!

And THIS. This pregnancy pillow is amazing. I have never slept so well. It’s also perfect for lounging and reading a book or watching a show with the hubby. It’s one of my absolute favorite things right now!!

So, if you want to give the gift that keeps on giving, get a new expecting mom a pregnancy body pillow. It comes in handy when that bump starts to show and becomes mission-critical in the last 1-2 months!

3. High-Quality Prenatal Vitamins

If the expecting mom on your shopping list was planning to get pregnant, chances are she’s already taking prenatals. But hear me out.

Obviously, prenatal vitamins are very important to take while pregnant. Folic acid helps prevent neural tube defects, iron supports the development of the placenta and fetus, and my OB specifically talked about choline, which supports fetal brain development.

Most prenatal vitamins in your local grocery store or pharmacy will list these critical vitamins (along with others like calcium and B12), but not all prenatals are created equal.

I’m not a doctor or a scientist, but I can speak from my experience of three pregnancies. In my first two pregnancies, I was very iron-deficient, despite taking prenatals every single day. The ones I took were pretty standard – just something I grabbed from the aisle in my local Walgreens.

However, in my third pregnancy, I learned about Ritual prenatals. Here’s what they say about their Essential Prenatal vitamins:

• They’re Made Traceable™ with a visible supply chain so you know what you’re putting in your body.
• This one is a big deal: they include methylated folate as 5-MTHF – the active form of folic acid to support folate adequacy.
• All 12 nutrients are included in their cleanest, most absorbable form. They include Omega-3s from algae rich in DHA and nature-identical Choline, which work together to support brain and cognition development. They also use the first vegan-certified vitamin D3 from wild-harvested lichen, gentle chelated Iron, and, as previously mentioned, methylated Folate.
• Delayed-release capsules are designed to dissolve in the small intestine, an ideal place to absorb nutrients.

To me, the gist is that the nutrients in this prenatal are more likely to actually get absorbed by your body. And I personally found that to be the case. This was my first pregnancy where my iron test came back normal – actually, better than normal.

I credit Ritual prenatals for that.

These can be a little pricey ($35 per month), so if you want to give an awesome gift to the expecting mom in your life, consider a few months of these high-quality vitamins! 

A big bonus is they have a citrus essence to them, so they don’t have that horrible taste that lingers throughout the day.

4. Maternity Leggings

Aside from prenatal vitamins, I’d venture to say the most-used item during pregnancy is the staple maternity legging.

I wore my regular Lululemon leggings for as long as I could, but around 6 months, I had to make the transition to actual maternity leggings.

And I am SO excited to share that I have found the best maternity leggings EVER. I’m sure I’m very late to this discovery, but the Blanqi® Everyday™ Maternity Belly Support Leggings are incredible (use this link to get $20 off your first pair).

They are made of thick, durable material that hugs your body without feeling tight or restrictive. I have two pairs (one full length and one three-quarter length), and I wear these every day. I make a point to do a dark load of laundry every few days just so I can have these leggings.

If you’re in the business of giving practical maternity gifts, this is probably my No. 1 recommendation.

5. SneakPeek Test – Boy or Girl?!

If you know the parents want to find out the gender, and you find out they’re expecting early on (as early as 7 weeks along), this is an incredible gift!

The SneakPeek Test was spot-on for us two babies in a row. It’s the least expensive option to find out the gender early, and you can do it from the comfort of your home. 

The test works as early as 7 weeks, so you could order it as soon as you find out the mom is expecting. You typically find out the gender at the 20-week ultrasound, but it’s SO hard to wait that long.

Another big bonus of the Sneak Peek Test is there’s no prescription required. The other blood test that can tell you the gender early on (which primarily tests for genetic defects) is very expensive (it cost us $1,500 out of pocket with our first baby), requires a prescription from your OB, and you have to go to a lab. 

Insurance doesn’t cover this test unless you are classified as “advanced maternal age,” which I believe is in your late-30s. 

In sum, SneakPeek is awesome. You can get $10 off this gender reveal test using this link!

6. Maternity-Friendly Pajamas

Another clothing item that’s perfect for gifting is maternity-friendly pajamas. Now, the reason I say maternity-friendly and not just maternity is that my FAVORITE pajamas to wear while pregnant are not actually “maternity.” 

The Lunya wearable silk pajamas are loose-fitting, which is super cozy for regular wear, but also very convenient for pregnancy.

I do have some maternity pajamas, but I still choose Lunya, specifically the Washable Silk Tee Set.

It’s cooling on the skin, which is amazing for comfortable sleep, and it’s ultra-soft. Plus, this silk doesn’t need any special treatment. Just throw it in the wash with the rest of your clothes.

I love clothing that works during pregnancy and after, because you get so much more use out of them. These are just that!

7. Maternity Journal

This is a top pick for first-time moms, but I think all moms would appreciate this gift. A maternity journal is a great way to document pregnancy, and eventually, the best moments from your children’s life.

I personally keep digital journals (using Day One) for all three of my kids. I don’t write in them every day by any means, but when something memorable happens, I do make a point to do a little write-up. 

I plan to print these and give them to my kids one day. That’s one of the reasons I chose Day One – this software has the option of printing a physical journal when you’re finished.

So, whether you gift a maternity journal, like this one from Amazon, or you help the mom-to-be set up a digital journal, I think this is a great sentimental gift idea!

8. Pregnancy Prayer Cards

For any Christian readers out there, these pregnancy prayer cards are a very sweet gift. They’re a great reminder for each week of pregnancy, and it’s also a fantastic way to mark each week.

The prayer cards, available on Amazon, include a weekly description of the baby’s growth along with a prayer prompt and matching Bible verses for all 40 weeks of pregnancy.

If you want to give a little something, I think this is a really thoughtful gift idea. The only caveat is you really want to gift these as soon as you find out the mama is expecting. Otherwise, she’ll miss out on many weeks of prayer cards!

9. Hydroflask Water Bottle

Drinking a lot of water while pregnant is important, but it can be a challenge! I have found that using the right water bottle makes a huge difference.

I’m a big fan of the Hydroflask water bottle – it holds about 40 ounces of water, and the straw feature makes it really easy to drink water on the fly. Plus, it keeps the water extremely cold for a very long time!

I was gifted this for Christmas, and it has become one of my favorite pregnancy must-haves. The obvious bonus is you can use a water bottle long after baby.

10. Freezer Meal Prep Supplies

For any moms who like to cook, consider gifting some meal prep supplies, which will assist in stocking the freezer. I like to do this before each baby comes so that I can grab dinner in a pinch, even if I’m exhausted from no sleep and cannot fathom cooking.

I set aside a weekend within the last month of pregnancy to prep a ton of different dinners and store them in the freezer for those tired postpartum days. My mother-in-law and mom are also amazing at helping prep some meals in those early postpartum days. Couldn’t live without them!!

That said, if you can’t physically be with the expecting mom to help prep meals, consider sending over a nice gift basket full of meal prep essentials! 

Here is my list:

• Aluminum pans: perfect for freezing things like lasagna and enchiladas
• Baggy rack stands: allows you to fill up freezer Ziploc bags without spilling
• Reusable silicone bags: these are perfect for prepping and storing ingredients for  smoothies
• Meal prep labels: label and date everything using these labels, which dissolve in the dishwasher for easy clean-up
• Glass containers: these are awesome for storing individual servings
• ½ cup ice cube freezing tray: ideal for freezing chicken stock, beef stock, marinara sauce, hummus, etc.

The two things I use the most are definitely the aluminum pans and meal prep labels!

Another idea is to give some oven-ready freezer meals. It’s definitely not as cost-effective as prepping your own postpartum meals and freezing them, but it’s entirely hands-off! I’ve had an awesome experience with the Rastelli’s oven-ready main dishes and sides. You can also use code MAMA15 for $15 off orders over $50.

11. Willow Tree New Life Sculpted Hand-Painted Figure

The Willow Tree New Life figure is the ultimate sentimental gift for a pregnant daughter, in my opinion.

There are some other amazing baby-themed figures, but this one just tugs at my heartstrings. If you’re a sentimental person – and especially if the expecting mom enjoys Willow Tree or wants to start a collection – this is perfect!

12. Some Kind of Belly Cream/Belly Butter

Last but not least is some kind of belly cream or belly butter product. I feel like pregnancy-specific lotions are incredibly popular, and it is a nice, pregnancy-themed gift idea.

That said, no stretch mark cream or special belly skincare formula has ever had any impact on my body. It may work for some, but in my experience, it was a waste of money.

Now, I’m specifically talking about stretch mark prevention here, so there may be some merit to using a lotion for hydration and avoiding dry skin.

In any case, it seems like the cult favorite is Burt’s Bees Mama Belly Butter, which is conveniently available on Amazon.

If you’re looking for something a bit more niche or gift-ready, The Spoiled Mama brand has a really cute gift set (featured in Cosmopolitan) that includes tummy butter, morning sickness tea, and a tea strainer.

Honorable Mention: Thoughtful Gestures for Lost Pregnancies

Not all pregnancies will pan out. I remember when I struggled with miscarriage, I was reassured by my doctor that about 50% of all pregnancies are lost. It was comforting, but it’s also a really sad reality.

If the expecting mom in your life ends up dealing with miscarriage, a thoughtful gift or gesture can lift her spirits in an extremely emotional time. 

As a mom who has dealt with miscarriage, here are four gift ideas that I think would comfort that hurting mama.

1. A simple floral arrangement

My own mother sent me a beautiful floral arrangement from a local florist, which I will never forget. I kept the little ceramic angel that was in that bouquet and display it on a shelf in my home, years after the fact.

2. Care for Miscarriage Box from Bodily

Another idea is the Care for Miscarriage Box from Bodily. This thoughtful gift includes some items that will help the grieving mama feel supported and loved.

3. Held: 31 Biblical Reflections on God’s Comfort and Care in the Sorrow of Miscarriage

A devotional is always a welcome gift in hard times. Receiving a devotional from a close friend or family member after a miscarriage can be so comforting and impactful.

This particular devotional, Held, was written by a mom who suffered from miscarriages and explores all the emotions you feel during this time from a biblical perspective.

4. Willow Tree Remembrance Angel

Last but not least is the Willow Tree Remembrance Angel. You know your audience, but even if the mom doesn’t have this type of thing in her home, it will be a sentimental gift with deep meaning.

Conclusion

If someone special in your life just found out they’re pregnant, and you want to send a little something, I hope an idea on this list fits the bill!

If I had to recommend one idea over all the rest, my vote firmly goes to that PharmMeDoc pregnancy pillow. It was a splurge I never wanted to make for myself but now that I have, it is one of my absolute favorite things.

A very close second is that Louis and Léa subscription. It’s different, it’s fun, and it’s something a lot of moms probably wouldn’t splurge on for themselves.

What maternity gift ideas do you have up your sleeve?! Please share in the comments section below!