This food journal is also a great way to learn about all of the different body changes that come with pregnancy. However, it’s not designed to be a sentimental keepsake—it’s more of a practical, organizational tool rather than a special memento. Also, keep in mind that different people may have specific nutritional needs, so be sure to follow your healthcare provider's guidance when it comes to your nutrition during pregnancy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Many pregnancy journals have sections where you can write down midwife and doctors appointments so you can easily see where you need to be on any given day. Depending on how nostalgic you are or how much you like to process things, a pregnancy journal may certainly be worth it!

Just like with a scrapbook or standard journal, some pregnancy journals come with prompts. This can be ideal if you’re not used to writing in a journal and don’t know where to begin with documenting your pregnancy or recording your thoughts and feelings. Do you want a pregnancy journal that can become a baby book? This is helpful since you're already in the habit of updating the single journal. Pregnant women experience more vivid dreams and better dream recall, due to hormonal shifts affecting sleep patterns, increased fatigue, and repeatedly waking in the middle of a sleep cycle. Best Pregnancy Journal Through The First Year: Bump to Birthday, Pregnancy & First Year Baby Journal Wear soft, non-restrictive clothing and sit in a cozy chair with a good book and read for a little bit. Light a lavender candle. Play soothing instrumental music. Have a cup of warm chamomile tea.

Truthfully, the sky's the limit! This is your space to cover any and everything that comes to mind as you progress through your pregnancy. Pregnancy writing prompts: A lovely journal which combines both your pregnancy and your baby’s first year. This journal contains lots of information about-about your baby’s development, as well as providing space to document everything from your feelings; your changing body; how you met your partner, etc. Full of beautiful illustrations, this journal, is a wonderful souvenir of your pregnancy and beyond! Find it here . “ The Belly Book: A Nine-Month Journal For You And Your Growing Belly” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal Napping can make up for any sleep lost at night, due to frequent trips to the bathroom, body aches, and every other pregnancy irritation. Avoid napping in the late afternoon and early evenings.

There are some pregnancy journal books that include space for the first year with baby or all the way up to five years, making them a grab option for hybrid pregnancy journal/baby books. The demands of pregnancy together with the weight gained puts an enormous amount of pressure on your body.

Keep your blood sugar and energy levels balanced by eating often, such as six small meals a day. Frequent meals that are high in nutrients and protein help to combat fatigue. Most pregnant women should spend at least 8 hours in bed, aiming for at least 7 hours of sleep every night. If possible, try going to sleep a little earlier than usual. Consider the design of your pregnancy journal. Do you want a simple, compact notebook that easily slips in your purse for jotting your thoughts down during pregnancy? Or do you prefer more of a scrapbook feel without actually making a pregnancy scrapbook? Even if you're a past the first months of a pregnancy, you can still start a beautiful journal to cherish forever.A pregnancy journal is a notebook or scrapbook that holds all the details about your pregnancy. Some journals include space to record memories after the baby is born, too. What should I write in a pregnancy journal? Best Pregnancy Journal For Mental Health/Self Care: The Pregnancy Workbook: Manage Anxiety and Worry with CBT and Mindfulness Techniques Likewise, having questionnaires helps some moms-to-be begin mentally preparing for what the fourth trimester will be like. However, some people don’t need that help. This might be especially true if this isn’t your first time pregnant. Design: Additionally, Marter recommends considering whom the pregnancy journal is for, and who in the baby’s life would like to participate. “Some pregnancy journals are just for the mothers, a few are just for fathers, and others are for couples,” she says. “It might be nice to ask your partner if they would like to be included or would rather pass. This gives them the opportunity to be included if they would like to,” Marter adds. If dad wants a journal all to himself, the “ First-Time Dad Journal: Monthly Prompts and To-Dos for Pregnancy and Beyond,” is specifically designed for him. Inclusivity

This is a more open-ended journal that relies less on pregnancy prompts and more on freestyle journaling. Instead of recording details like mom’s first trip to the doctor, it’s a beautiful keepsake that focuses on the baby’s growth, birth story, and the first few days or weeks of the new baby’s life. If you have other children, this is a great way to stop and reflect on this specific child and pay some special attention to their unique way of coming into the world. We love that it includes a section where you can write letters to the baby, making it the perfect keepsake, especially for kids in larger families. This is a versatile book, too, so dads and other caregivers can easily participate in the journaling process. Joyce Marter, licensed psychotherapist and internationally published author specializing in self-esteem, empowerment, and mindfulness. She has experience working with women in areas such as fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. It can take a few hours for your body to fully wind down after energetic workouts, so plan for any physical activity to take place earlier in the day. If the exercise is light, like yoga, it’s unlikely to interfere with your sleep. Growing a baby obviously takes a toll on your body. Don’t ignore the signals your body is sending you. Reach out to others if you’re struggling to sleep throughout your pregnancy. Ask for help from your partner. https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Physical-Activity-and-Exercise-During-Pregnancy-and-the-Postpartum-Period?IsMobileSet=false

Try to find the right day, time, and place for a time of peaceful reflection or meditation. Take a deep breath, exhale and consider what has happened and how you feel before you start putting pen to paper. Sleep diaries can also be enlightening, providing concrete data about your bedtime, how long it takes for you to fall asleep, nighttime awakenings, awake time, and sleep quality. Avoid caffeine after lunchtime If your employer frowns upon nap time, find a good spot in the breakroom and put your feet up while you eat lunch. Eat healthy meals and stay hydrated Keep a journal throughout your pregnancy. If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, try writing in it.