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Ideally you should start taking certain vitamins to support a balanced diet a couple of months before you try to conceive to get the full benefit of them. You then continue to take them throughout pregnancy and after birth. They are to support you and your baby's health.
As you might expect, there are a great many books for parents to be! We have included some of the most popular books for parents to read before the birth of their baby and within the first year.
Our mums say:
"I found reading books on topics such as routine, sleep, weaning and development very reassuring."
Cream to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. You won't know until too late whether you really need this, so if it's something that concerns you, best to start using it in advance - from 12 weeks.
Our mums say:
"You don't know if you'll need it until it's too late...better to try and prevent it as there's less you can do about it afterwards!"
"It's actually nice to massage your bump with anyway!"
This is a home fetal monitor allowing you to hear your baby's heart beat and movements. This can be very reassuring in between visits to hospitals and GPs - especially for women that have miscarried or experienced problems with previous pregnancies. However, be warned - many health practitioners dislike them as they can cause unnecessary anxiety in parents. Fetal dopplers are also available for rent.
Our mums say:
"I had problems with my first pregnancy and it helped to be able to hear the baby in future pregnancies before it actually started to move around and kick enough for me to feel it myself."
This is supportive underwear designed for your expanding body.
Our mums say:
"Maternity bras are essential, but you won't necessarily need maternity pants."
"Just buy some bra expanders if your boobs aren't growing too big too fast - I found them invaluable."
Most women don't need pregnancy clothes until they're about 16 weeks in to the pregnancy. However, it's worth buying a couple of essentials a few weeks in advance, otherwise you risk waking up one morning to find literally nothing in your wardrobe fits! Many high street shops now offer maternity ranges and there are also several specialist shops. We have suggested some below, but there are any more many featured in both our Browse and Search sections. To find them on either the Browse or Search pages, select Stores by Category, then Women, and then Maternity.
An elasticated belt which will support your bump throughout your pregnancy, particularly the later stages.
Our mums say:
"I bought a black and a white support bandeau which was useful because it meant I could wear normal tops and vests without the bump flesh showing. I didn't find they offered much support though."
This is a pillow to support pregnant women later in pregnancy as their bump grows and the body needs extra support.
Our mums say:
"I used one because I had problems sleeping and my husband was fed up of me using him as a pillow!"
This helps prepare and sooth the perineal area before and after birth.
Our mums say:
"It's worth using this to avoid tearing during birth. You can also use olive oil instead."
Lavender oil is said to help relax the body in late pregnancy. Lavender is believed to have a calming effect, and is also thought to have both antiseptic and pain relief qualities. It also makes a great “first bath†after delivery.
Our mums say:
"This is great if you're having a water birth!"
Giving birth can weaken your pelvic muscles. Weakened pelvic muscles can cause problems, such as urinary incontinence (being unable to control when you pass urine) and reduced sensitivity (feeling) during sex. A pelvic floor exerciser will help strengthen these muscles. However, it should not be used for a period of time after giving birth - normally 6 weeks. You should wait for your doctor to clear you before resuming this exercise.
Our mums say:
"The first thing my friend said to me when I told her I was pregnant was 'Get a pelvic floor exerciser and use it as soon as possible - it will make a huge difference!'"
There are various exercise DVDs designed for use before and after birth.
A soft exercise ball to help with support and exercise in pregnancy and very supportive whilst in labour.
Our mums say:
"I couldn't have got through my first birth without one."
Raspberry leaf tea is thought to tone the muscles of your uterus (womb) to help it work better during labour. The idea is not so much to speed up your labour, but to help it to progress at a nice, steady pace. Because raspberry leaf tea takes several weeks to accumulate in your body, it won't work to bring on labour if you are overdue. It's hard to say for certain whether it genuinely works, as there is little research into the effects. If you do decide to take it, you should let your doctor know, and you shouldn't take it earlier than 37 weeks into your pregnancy.
Our mums say:
"It doesn't work in my experience, but if you're overdue, you're desperate! "
"You can also buy this in tablet form, which I took and I believe it helped with the birth."
TENS machines deliver small electrical pulses to the body via electrodes placed on the skin. This is thought to help ease pain during labour.
Our mums say:
"I coped much better with my second birth using a TENS machine. I'm not sure whether it eased the pain, but it gave me a feeling of control and was a distraction from the pain."
Arnica is a homoeopathic treatment with various uses. In the case of pregnancy and childbirth, it is often used during and after childbirth to help heal bruising. It has not been clinically proven to work, however.
These are like very thick sanitary towels. Immediately after labour you will essentially experience a very heavy period, which could go on for a couple of weeks. You may find you can use standard sanitary towels later on, but to begin with you will need proper maternity pads.
Our mums say:
"You will need at least two packs and maybe more!!"
Helps healing, alleviates pain associated with post delivery stress and discomfort, flattening the tummy, supporting your lower back, and preventing pain. Also assists in returning your stomach to your pre pregnancy shape. Can also be very supportive after a C-Section.
Our mums say:
"Your tummy feels a bit like jelly after giving birth - you go from feeling very pregnant, with a tight stomach, to suddenly feeling very flabby. A little extra support can do wonders for your body confidence in the first few tiring months of having a baby."
A book in which you record your pregnancy, birth and the first year of your baby's life. Most books have sections to include photographs, a snip of first hair, baby hospital id band and other important souvenirs.
![The Complete Pregnancy Workout [DVD]](http://thumbs.mylistishere.com/baby21-14_4.jpg)
