Are you pregnant and looking for a way to keep track of all the things you need to do? Are you overwhelmed by all the advice out there about what to do during pregnancy? Then you need a pregnancy planner! This article will introduce you to the best pregnancy planner, so that you can stay organized and informed throughout your pregnancy.
But first, how do I know all of this? Hi — I’m Hilary — The Pregnancy Nurse 👩⚕️. I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I am also the curly head behind Pulling Curls and The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. 🩺 I have helped THOUSANDS (frankly, hundreds of thousands at this point) of couples through their pregnancy. I have seen what they want and need along the way, and I can’t wait to help you too!
The other thing you should know is that I am a HUGE planner. As I type this my happy planner sits in front of me (as it does all day). It has my thoughts, feelings, desires and to-do’s. It holds ALL of it, and I’m excited to have that for new moms (or frankly, old moms) to have with their pregnancy.
And, if you just want to buy the BEST just click right here and you can grab it right now!
What Can a Pregnancy Planner Do For Me?
You have a LOT to get done right now, and I just want to be here to
A spot for all those to-do’s.
Feeling like you have a LOT to get done before baby’s arrival, I know that feeling well. Never before has it been more important to write those things down as pregnancy brain is in full effect (it’s a real thing!). Just like my planner, I recommend keeping this close by so you can jot things down that you think of. Who knows, those thoughts may never come back!
A spot for the memories
I’ve always been surprised by how my older kids (and I’m talking teens here) want to know about what it was like when they lived inside me. Clearly, there is some “gross-ness” about that but it’s sweet that they wonder what it was like for me. And frankly, I’ve forgotten a lot — but LUCKILY I am a huge journal writer (and for one of them I had my blog so that’s all on there too) and I love reading to them about my pregnancy journey. It’s an exciting time! You need to document it in this perfect pregnancy journal.
A spot for the anxiety
Sometimes just writing something down can help you feel better about it. Plus, if there’s a next time you can re-read these thoughts and realize how NORMAL they are. You’ve got this!
The Basics
There are a few BASIC medical things that I think can be REALLY helpful and I’ve included them in this pregnancy planner. And, frankly — I don’t se them in many other planners.
- Your birth plan (and I call that preferences) and a spot to write down about your dream birth
- Important labs — this one is SO important and you’ll love this page next time (or when this baby has a baby) just to know what happened to you!
- Hospital Bag Checklist — just throw away the ones from people who are not an expert 🙂
What types of pages are in this planner?
This is the perfect place for facts, ideas, and hopes all in one spot.
Baby shower planning spots — there’s no need to add stress to you for a party!
To-do lists for each phase of your pregnancy — the best pregnancy planners always have this
A spot to list your baby names — baby’s name may special meaning, or just one you liked from all those baby name ideas.
A family tree section so baby can know the important people in their life
Keepsake journal sections where you write what’s going on, along with your hopes and dreams
Journal prompts if you’re not sure what to write things like this come in handy!
Bump photo spots I know, you don’t want to take pictures, but someday I promise you that you’ll want them (or your baby will want to see what you looked like pregnant with them). I talk about how to print these on my sister site.
Spots to mark baby’s development, and baby’s growth it’s crazy that you’re growing a human, but each inch or pound is a big deal!
Pages for each stage of pregnancy there will be special milestones that you want to give special attention to.
A spot for “first’s” like first kick, pregnancy test, etc These are the firsts of the FIRSTS! Exciting milestone of pregnancy!
A spot for your birth story pregnancy memories are easy to lose, and you definitely don’t want to lose this story. It can help if you (or this baby) are ever pregnant again!
Blank pages for things important to you — plenty of space for you r own thoughts, special memories and more (be sure to note what week of your pregnancy you’re in for easy reference next time)
A Medical log of labs, appointments — the perfect pregnancy planner would not be without this section (and most forget it)
A week-by-week guide to log the details of your pregnancy — this weekly journal will some day be a treasure
Shopping lists for what you need for baby a great way to make sure you get what you NEED but don’t over-buy (especially for first time moms)
A spot for that first ultrasound, and other ultrasound photos (or sonogram pictures) — that first trimestser ultrasound will look so different from the second trimester ones (or especially any third trimester ultrasounds)
Helpful pregnancy tips for you in each pregnancy stage from someone with so much experience like The Pregnancy Nurse
A place to mark down what happened at prenatal appointments — they will have some facts about baby’s development that will be fun to track!
Healthy pregnancy sections, like a place to make your weights and blood pressures (and detail all that morning sickness)
Important questions to ask your provider I always tell people to do this, now you have a spot for it!
As you can tell, something like this will give you SO much information to both share with baby, but also have as you have other babies, your health changes etc. I always wonder if my labs were better with my first baby than the other ones.
Why Printable Pregnancy Planners vs A Bound Planner?
Let this mom of three tell you that there will be a lot of pages you may just have nothing to say on. With a printable pregnancy planner you can just pick-out what pertains to you, rather than having a whole lot of blank pages staring at you (and you thinking you should fill them, but have no idea what to say).
I’d totally recommend taking this to a local copy center once you’re done and having it bound. What a fun pregnancy book to have forever! You could even make copies for grandparents — a great gift!
Do You Sell a Planner for Baby’s First Year?
Not at this time, but if this is popular, I will try to get one together! I used to work for a pediatrician, so I have seen a LOT in those first year visits too!
Whether it’s your first pregnancy, or your fifteenth I think this book can be a fun addition to what can otherwise be a hard time in your life. I hope you enjoy it!
It comes as two pdf files for you to use how you see fit. Some may want to print them, and some may want to just open them in their ipad and write over the top. Which ever you pick is a wonderful way to keep track of things!
Ok, so what are you waiting for! Grab the Pregnancy Planner right here.
And, if you’re not quite sure you’re ready for that whole thing, check out my free prenatal class. It’s your first step toward getting in the driver’s seat of your birth.
- About the Author
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A nurse since 1997, she has worked in various fields including pediatrics, geriatrics & hospice.
She has 20 years of labor and delivery experience in the San Jose, CA and Phoenix, AZ areas.
She is also the curly head behind the website Pulling Curls and is the creator of The Online Prenatal Class for Couples — the #1 hospital-based prenatal class on the internet.
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