A newly expectant mother will experience a wide arrange of emotions throughout her pregnancy. Besides feeling excited, overwhelmed and a little nervous, she'll be coping with hormonal mood swings and an increased sense of smell, as well as dealing with her new body and the way that it looks. You can ease the transition by giving a thoughtful gift that calms her mind, relaxes her body and helps her to prepare for the impending arrival of the little one that will change her life.
Journal
A newly expecting mom will have plenty of things to write down about the experience. She'll want to record first movements, doctor's appointments and funny cravings to show to her child later on in life. A new journal and pen can be a thoughtful gift that the expectant mother hasn't thought of herself. You can even prepare it with slips of paper with questions inside to get her started, like "How did everyone react to the news?" and "What changes have you made since finding out you were pregnant?"
Snacks
Call the expectant father or another person close to the expectant mother and ask what type of food she's been craving. The Mayo Clinic notes that food cravings can sometimes start as soon as the pregnancy is discovered, and last well into the second trimester. Placing a ribbon around a bottle of pickles, giving a gift card to a local pizza parlor or whipping up a batch of peanut butter cookies will be much appreciated by the expectant mother.
Jewelry
As a newly expectant mother begins to gain weight and lose her waistline, she may feel self-conscious about her new shape. Some sparkly jewelry can help pick her up and add something extra to her look without any effort. A pair of large earrings keeps the eye drawn to her face, instead of her barely-there belly. A pretty headband hides the fact that she was too tired to fix her hair in the morning.
Baby Name Book
The expecting mother may have had the names chosen for her prospective children since she was a child herself, but a baby name book can teach her more about what the names mean and help her choose middle names. While she's probably already purchased pregnancy books on her own, she may not have thought about a baby name book, which can keep her and the expectant father busy and entertained.
Bath Items
A bath under 100 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended by the American Pregnancy Association, so it's safe to give the expectant mother some bath products. These will help relax her and soothe her muscles, as she might start feeling the strain on her body soon. Be sensitive about the scents that you choose. Her nose may be extra sensitive and shun strong soaps and body washes. Go with natural ingredients and little fragrance to be on the safe side.
