Top 10 Mothers' Day Gifts for Pregnant Women
By Sandra J. Bardsley RN, LCCE, FACCE, CD
Know a pregnant woman who is tired and anxiously anticipating Motherhood?
Hear this! She may want those cute little baby clothes and things to help her care
for the baby, but what she really needs is some pampering for herself. The
following are 10 great gift ideas for expecting women. Treat her to a fun Mother's
Day gift!
1. First the HONEYMOON…now a BABYMOON! Help her make a gentle transition to
Motherhood by treating her to a Joyful Birth™ Lamaze weekend retreat or a Babymoon
trip with Lamaze class.
Come celebrate your last days as a couple before you enter the new, exciting and challenging
world of parenthood. Learn about childbirth education while enjoying a relaxing retreat.
For more information, see: www.joyfulbirthclasses.com and www.babymoonfinder.com
2. Ease her mind and lift her spirits with two positive birth books.
With so much negative media out there to confuse women and increase fear surrounding birth,
give her a book of art exercises and humorous, truthful and inspirational birth stories told by
women who recently experienced birth. I recommend Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and
Creating a Joyful Birth Experience: Developing a partnership with your unborn child for healthy
pregnancy, labor, and early parenting, by Lucia Capacchione & Sandra Bardsley. These books
are guaranteed to reduce a woman’s fear of labor and prepare her for a gentle and joyful birth
experience.
To purchase those books, see: Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, at www.amazon.com and
Creating A Joyful Birth Experience, at www.amazon.com
3. Relieve her aches, pains and body image concerns with pregnancy massage and skin care
consultation.
Indulging in small pleasures brings positive results. A certified pregnancy massage therapist will
ease her body and give her skin care ideas to aid her with the many body changes occurring
throughout pregnancy.
For more information, see: www.smallpleasuresbylinda.com or www.brownbagbotanicals.com
4. Give her the gift of gentle exercise and prenatal yoga classes in preparation for labor and
birth.
Training and workouts designed and monitored specifically for pregnant women are offered at
specialty gymnasiums. Prenatal yoga classes and “core body” exercises are wonderful prenatal
preparation. Treat her to a membership during her pregnancy.
For more information, contact: Lady Fitness, (916) 689-1199 www.LadyFitnessUSA.com or
Shanti Yoga Studio (916) 564-9642
5. Every woman deserves a cleaning service, especially in the 9th month of
pregnancy.
When most women can’t even tie their own shoes during the latter part of pregnancy, who would
expect her to wash tubs, toilets and floors? Give her the gift of yourself or a professional
housekeeper to help.
For more information contact: Sunny Maids Referral Agency 485-1717 (800-4Sunnymaid)
6. The gift of acupuncture treatments or Bowen therapy.
These alternative therapies can help reduce back pain, nausea and acid reflex, possibly turn a
breech baby into the optimal birthing position, and even start or enhance labor.
For more information contact: Ariel Ertel @ (916) 455-2822 (acupuncture) or Diane Fownes-
Miller @ (916) 435-8474 (Bowen therapy)
7. Hire a doula, or professional birth assistant, to increase her satisfaction with her labor
and birth experience.
Doulas are specially trained and know techniques to make the labor and birth progress easier.
Doulas serve as advocates in the hospital and they help decrease many interventions, including
Caesarean sections.
For more information contact: www.betterbirthsacramento.com or www.dona.org
8. Feed the ever-hungry, extra-tired, expecting mama!
Homemade meals, or even those from a service are a welcome treat. You can prepare meals for
three months before and after birth. Check to see about added preparation and delivery service by
them.
For more information contact: www.cenatogo.com
9. A Birth Ball makes a great gift for the expecting Mom
Similar to Swiss exercise balls, these balls are surprisingly comfortable, popular and useful
throughout pregnancy and labor. Order them online or ask for an exercise ball at your local
sporting goods store (Tip: buy a good quality, strong, ball!)
For more information and to order good birth balls see: www.dona.org and check out their
boutique.
10. A fluffy, feminine new robe in her favorite color
Skip the satin and look for something cozy, soft, and oversized (like cotton or fleece). She’ll love
having a warm robe on those sleepless nights during the latter part of pregnancy, and when the
baby comes!