The 20 Best Pregnancy Journals of 2023

Expecting You—A Keepsake Pregnancy Journal has prompts and open journaling space

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Pregnancy Journals

Verywell Family / Kevin Liang

Whether you’re a first-time mom or anxiously awaiting the birth of your third child, pregnancy is exciting, joyful, scary, and confusing all at once. Keeping a pregnancy journal is a great way to record all of the beautiful changes and thoughts that pop up throughout those long, tiresome months. “Pregnancy journals serve a number of purposes, such as a scrapbook, a health record, and/or a personal narrative,” saysJoyce Marter, a licensed psychotherapist with 25 years of experience.

Reviewed & Approved

Of all the pregnancy journals we selected, we foundExpecting You—A Keepsake Pregnancy Journalto be the best because it’s attractive, affordable, and versatile. The journal lets you keep track of changes or progression and also has an open-ended space where you can write notes to the baby. If you’re looking for an organizational tool to help you stay on top of doctor’s appointments and health check-ups, theBloom Daily Pregnancy Planneris a fantastic option.

Whether you decide to keep one as a memorable keepsake to look back on or as an easy way to record your medical history, keeping a pregnancy journal should be easy, fun, and joyful. “A pregnancy journal is a beautiful, simple way to acknowledge the process and honor the good, the interesting, and memorable moments of pregnancy,” saysJennifer Jolorte Doro, certified doula, lactation counselor, clinical nutritionist, and co-founder/chief culinary officer at Chiyo.

When searching for the right pregnancy journal for you, it’s important to consider your intentions. “Deciding to keep a pregnancy journal is entirely a personal decision. There are many positives, but expectant mothers already have a lot on their plate, so only choose to keep one if you want to do so,” Marter adds. She recommends considering what type of journal you’d like to keep, whom you’d like to participate in the journaling process, and any special features—like prompts or slots to hold photos or sonograms. When searching for the best pregnancy journals, we relied on personal experience, industry research, and expert advice. Based on our research, here are the best pregnancy journals for expectant families.

Best Overall

Expecting You—A Keepsake Pregnancy Journal

Expecting You—A Keepsake Pregnancy Journal

Amazon

Pros
  • Bookmark helps you jump to specific pages

  • Guided prompts help inspire entries

  • It isn’t a weekly log, so you can write whenever you want

Cons
  • Doesn’t have slots to hold photos

This sweet, affordable diary is a great way to record all of the little details of your pregnancy that you might otherwise forget. With 144 pages—both blank and prompted—it provides an opportunity to record long, detailed thoughts and memories, as well as little snippets, like an entire page devoted to the nicknames you have for your little one. The hardcover construction means it’s durable and sturdy, so you can save it as a keepsake for years after your little one has arrived. Despite its heavy-duty backing, it’s still small and compact enough to carry along with you to doctor’s appointments or meet-up groups.

Overall, this is a versatile book that is a good choice for many types of families. It has multiple blank pages and a few pages with guided questions, so it’s open-ended with a few extra details. It’s not particularly specific or geared toward a certain demographic, so it’s a great option for a variety of families. Additionally, this journal is not broken out into weekly logs. That means you can start it whenever you like, and you don’t have to worry about skipping pages or entries.

Price at time of publication: $15

Type:Diary |Prompts:Yes |Pages:144

Best Budget

My Pregnancy: From Bump to Baby and Everything in Between

My Pregnancy: From Bump to Baby and Everything in Between

Amazon

Pros
  • Includes slots for photos and other keepsakes

  • Comes with stickers to decorate

Cons
  • This is geared toward the expectant mother, so it’s not ideal for fathers or adoptive parents

For an easy, affordable book that can be adorned with pictures and stickers, check out this pregnancy and baby book combo. With 64 pages that take you from pregnancy to delivery, this is a great book for mothers who want to record pregnancy details without engaging in long, intricate journal entries. Each page comes with guided prompts that help initiate inspiration and spark creativity. There are pages dedicated to medical details—like the first prenatal visit—that can be helpful in tracking medical history.

We love that this book has slots and storage pockets to hold pictures, sonograms, and other small items. That means you can save it as a keepsake for years to come, and thanks to the extended period of time it covers, you can even keep writing after the new baby is born. Keep in mind that this book is specifically geared toward expectant mothers, so it isn’t ideal for dads or adoptive parents who might be looking for a more inclusive book.

Price at time of publication: $10

Type:Scrapbook |Prompts:Yes |Pages:64

Best With Prompts

Sweet Beginning Keepsake Journal

Sweet Beginning Keepsake Journal

Amazon

Pros
  • Has pages to hold pictures

  • Has space for monthly reflection as well as weekly planning

  • Includes a page for delivery and coming home

  • Spiral binding makes it easier to flip pages

Cons
  • It’s a bit larger than a standard journal, so could be difficult to carry around in your purse

This sweet, neutral book is totally versatile, which means it’s a great choice for a variety of families. The color palette is particularly good for families who don’t know what gender their baby is yet or prefer neutral shades. This book comes from the voice of the expectant mother and includes simple, approachable prompts on every page. Things like the first sonogram and cravings and aversions are easy to track thanks to the guided pages. We love that it’s broken out into weekly reflections and a monthly summary, so you can look back and reference your likes, dislikes, fears, and joys as the weeks go on. The weekly and monthly breakdown also makes journaling more approachable—you can keep a detailed log without the pressure of needing to journal every day.

This book has a hard cover that is durable and sturdy, but the interior spiral binding makes the pages easy to turn. It’s easier to write in, too, because the pages lay flat against the book. It features spaces for 4x6, 3x3, and 4x4 photos, so you can include full pictures of mom and dad as well as sonogram images. This is a beautiful keepsake that can be cherished for years to come, and the thoughtful design serves as a reliable account of the details of the pregnancy.

Price at time of publication: $35

Type:Diary and scrapbook |Prompts:Yes |Pages:76

Best Customizable

Little Planner Studio Personalized Pregnancy Planner

Little Planner Studio Personalized Pregnancy Planner

Etsy

Pros
  • Spiral binding makes pages easier to turn

  • Can be personalized

  • Gender neutral

Cons
  • Not as heavy-duty as other options

This cute book is easy to personalize with your family’s name or your baby’s name. The spiral-bound book comes with over 100 pages filled with thoughtful prompts that help new moms record their thoughts, emotions, and everything in between. The decorative, neutral design is great for both genders, so it’s a good option for families who haven’t yet found out the sex of their baby.

This book is broken out week-by-week, with sections for recording mom’s thoughts, cravings and aversions, and notes on names, things to do, and more. It also features pages that are dedicated to the initial doctor’s appointments, the “home stretch,” and a hospital bag checklist. Keep in mind that this planner doesn’t have a hard cover, so it might not be as durable or sturdy as some other brands. Although it has pages where you can tape photos, it doesn’t have dedicated slots to hold them in place.

Price at time of publication: $37

Type:Diary |Prompts:Yes |Pages:100

Best for First-Time Moms

The First-Time Mom’s Pregnancy Journal

The First-Time Mom’s Pregnancy Journal

Amazon

Pros
  • Inspiring quotes help add to the decorative style

  • Includes trimester checklists

  • Comes with prenatal size charts and tips for managing pregnancy symptoms

  • Available in spiral-bound, hardcover, and paperback styles

Cons
  • This is a guided journal, so there isn’t a ton of open-ended journaling space

  • It does not include slots to hold photos

For first-time moms who might not know where to start a pregnancy journal, this book makes it easy thanks to guided prompts. Each page is filled with helpful ways to document important notes, like the first month and mom’s first craving or pregnancy symptom. It also comes with tips, tricks, and advice for new moms-to-be. It’s broken out into trimesters, and each one comes with a checklist for that specific stage. It also comes with activity pages for brainstorming baby names and daydreaming about their future personality. We love that this book can be purchased in different styles depending on your preference—it’s available in spiral-bound, hardcover, or paperback options.

因为这是一个促使杂志和活动book, keep in mind that there isn’t as much space for open-ended journaling as in some of the other options on our list. It’s also designed for the pregnant mom-to-be, so there isn’t a ton of space for dad to participate.

Price at time of publication: $15

Type:Diary |Prompts:Yes |Pages:168

Best for the Second Child

Growing You: Keepsake Pregnancy Journal and Memory Book for Mom and Baby

Growing You: Keepsake Pregnancy Journal and Memory Book for Mom and Baby

Amazon

Pros
  • Gender-neutral design

  • Pocket for photos and sonograms

  • Spiral binding helps it lay flat

Cons
  • It doesn’t have as many prompts, so it’s better suited to open-ended journaling

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.

This is a spiral-bound book with a hard exterior, so the flat surface makes it easy to write. The hard cover is durable and sturdy, so you can carry it around with you and hang on to it for years to come.

Price at time of publication: $35

Type:Diary |Prompts:Some |Pages:168

Best for Adoptive Parents

Artifact Uprising Here Begins The Story of You

Artifact Uprising Here Begins The Story of You

Artifact Uprising

Pros
  • Customizable with seven color schemes

  • Spiral binding makes it easy to write in

  • Gender-neutral prompts are designed to fit any type of family

  • Comes with a pen and adhesive for securing photos

Cons
  • Not broken out into trimesters

  • Not meant for planning or tracking medical details

This is a combination baby book and parenting journal, so it doesn’t focus too heavily on pregnancy or mom’s symptoms. As a result, it’s a great option for adoptive parents and non-birthing caregivers. The first few pages document how the expecting parents shared the news, as well as a few notes on names and how they brainstormed them. Aside from that, the majority of the book details the baby's arrival home and the people who are most important in his or her life. It’s a versatile option that’s inclusive of any type of family.

With 100 pages, there is space to add photographs, sonograms, and even a letter to the new baby. The hard cover is sturdy and durable, and the linen construction is soft and attractive. This book is made with a spiral spine that can open and close like a binder, so you can easily take out pages. It comes in seven gorgeous colors.

Price at time of publication: $99

Type:Picture book and journal |Prompts:Some |Pages:100

Best for Dads-to-Be

The First-Time Dad Journal: Monthly Prompts and To-Dos for Pregnancy and Beyond

The First-Time Dad Journal: Monthly Prompts and To-Dos for Pregnancy and Beyond

Amazon

Pros
  • Includes monthly to-do lists

  • Comes with status updates about mom's and baby’s health each month

Cons
  • Doesn’t have a ton of open-ended space for unguided journaling

  • Doesn’t have pockets for photos

Pregnancy is a time that can leave expecting dads feeling lost, confused, and out of the loop. This immersive guide helps dads become a bit more involved in the pregnancy process through lists, advice, and monthly updates. It’s both a pregnancy journal and an informative book, thanks to the pages of necessary fatherhood prep. With thoughtful prompts, dad can record his emotions and memories throughout the pregnancy journey.

This is a thoughtful gift for new dads to help them process the news of the pregnancy. It’s a helpful way to record memories and gain necessary guidance while remaining thoroughly immersed and involved in the journey.

Price at time of publication: $15

Type:Planner and journal |Prompts:Yes |Pages:174

Best Daily Planner

Bloom Daily Pregnancy Planner Planning for Joy

Bloom Daily Pregnancy Planner Planning for Joy

Amazon

Pros
  • Comes with weekly and monthly views for long-range planning

  • Meal plan pages can help keep nutrition on track

  • Baby gift log helps track presents and thank you cards

  • Tabbed sections are easy to navigate

Cons
  • Designed for the expectant mother, so it’s not ideal for non-birthing parents

  • This is more of an organizational tool and less of a keepsake

Pregnancy is filled with daily changes—both in terms of medical health and emotional health. Having a daily planner is a great way to keep on top of doctor’s visits and other appointments. This versatile planner is packed with organizational tools like daily, weekly, and monthly logs that help make planning for a baby a little less overwhelming. The tabbed sections are easy to follow and help families stay organized. The first section of the planner helps you record sentimental things like a family tree, birth plan, and pregnancy tips from family and friends. Next, the planner is broken out by trimester, and each one has a weekly and monthly log. The medical log helps parents track appointments, immunizations, and other necessary tests.

This spiral notebook is designed to keep parents organized, but it isn’t particularly sentimental or memorable. If you’re looking for a special keepsake item, this probably isn’t your best bet.

Price at time of publication: $45

Type:Daily planner |Prompts:Yes |Pages:128

Best Keepsake

Axel & Ash Becoming Mama Pregnancy Journal

Axel & Ash Becoming Mama Pregnancy Journal

Amazon

Pros
  • Linen cover is soft and elegant

  • Subtle style is gender neutral

  • 264 pages allow for extra details

  • Includes helpful information from industry professionals

Cons
  • Isn’t spiral-bound, so the pages don’t lay flat when you’re writing

  • Doesn’t have slots to hold photos

This gorgeous memory book is a great keepsake for expecting mothers. The jacket is made of soft linen in a subtle yellow, so it’s gender neutral, classic, and timeless. It’s one of the biggest books on our list—the generous 264 pages allow for ample note-taking and the recording of detailed memories. The pages have simple prompts and therefore allow expecting mothers to focus on their feelings and the things they want to remember about each stage.

This special book also includes advice from industry professionals. For example, it contains a checklist of the most important items to pack in your hospital bag. Though it doesn’t have special slots or pockets to hold photographs, it does have designated areas where you can easily tape them in.

Price at time of publication: $40

Type:Journal |Prompts:Yes |Pages:264

Best Spiral-Bound

As You Grow: A Modern Memory Book for Baby

As You Grow: A Modern Memory Book for Baby

Amazon

Pros
  • Linen cover is soft and elegant

  • Gender neutral

  • Ranges from pregnancy to age 5

  • Includes a pocket to store keepsakes

Cons
  • The pregnancy section is limited, there are more pages dedicated to baby’s birth and the first few years

This beautifully illustrated journal is the perfect way to document your emotions while waiting for a baby to arrive. The elegant cover is made of linen, which means it’s soft and elegant. The gender-neutral styling makes it an ideal keepsake or gift to buy, even if you haven’t yet found out the gender of the baby. As the name implies, this book documents the many milestones and emotions of a child’s life, from pregnancy all the way up until age 5. As a result, it’s a meaningful and sentimental keepsake that your child can cherish long into adulthood.

This is a scrapbook-style baby book, so there are pages and sections to tape in photographs and sonogram images. It also has a section to record a family tree, details about the child’s nursery, and a section for footprints. The spiral binding means the pages lay flat so you can write easily. Keep in mind that this book is more of a baby book rather than a pregnancy journal, so there are more pages dedicated to the child’s life once they arrive.

Price at time of publication: $40

Type:Scrapbook |Prompts:Yes |Pages:160

Best Modern

The Pregnancy Journal: A Modern Keepsake Journal for Mom and Baby

The Pregnancy Journal: A Modern Keepsake Journal for Mom and Baby

Amazon

Pros
  • Gender-neutral design

  • Soft and elegant linen cover

  • Includes calendars to track appointments

  • Includes a weekly layout separated by trimesters

Cons
  • Doesn’t include slots to hold photos

  • Not spiral bound

This two-in-one organizer combines the benefits of a pregnancy journal and planner all in one. The linen cover makes it softer and more elegant than a standard planner, but the layout of the pages inside means it’s designed as an organizational tool. It has detailed calendars for tracking appointments, as well as daily and weekly logs to track things like mood, emotions, cravings, and energy levels. Each page has a section for practical notes like cravings and aversions, as well as sentimental sections to log special moments you’d like to remember.

The planner also has empty space for open journaling, as well as areas to tape in photos and sonogram images. This practical book has a section to track baby shower gifts and brainstorm baby names. This compact journal is small enough to keep in your purse, so pregnant parents can carry it around to appointments and meetings to take notes when needed. This is more of a practical organizational tool rather than a sentimental keepsake, so it’s a great gift for parents looking for a little help with planning—whether it’s their first, second, or third baby.

Price at time of publication: $25

Type:Journal and Planner|Prompts:Yes |Pages:96

Best Classic

Le Petit Baby Book

Le Petit Baby Book

Amazon

Pros
  • Hard cover is durable and sturdy

  • Includes a storage envelope for photos and sonograms

Cons
  • This has less pages than most of the other books on our list

This sweet gift is the epitome of a classic pregnancy journal. Whimsical illustrations and a fabric spine are elegant and special. The book is more compact than others—it only has 72 pages—so it’s approachable and easy to manage, even for busy parents. Thoughtful prompts help spark writing inspiration, and folders to hold photographs and sonograms help make it a special, meaningful keepsake.

The woodland theme is perfectly charming, and the sweet design is suitable for both baby girls and baby boys. This is a small, classic pregnancy journal that’s simple and sweet.

Price at time of publication: $30

Type:Journal |Prompts:Yes |Pages:72

Best Illustrated

Studio Oh Bump for Joy: A Pregnancy Journal

Studio Oh Bump for Joy A Pregnancy Journal

Etsy

Pros
  • Durable and sturdy hard cover

  • Includes 5 storage envelopes for photos and sonograms

  • Spiral binding and uncoated pages make it easy to write in

  • Subtle style is gender neutral

Cons
  • Designed for the expectant mother, so it’s not ideal for non-birthing parents

  • Doesn’t have a calendar for tracking appointments

这甜蜜的剪贴簿——它可以用作an organizational tool to track pregnancy progression or a special keepsake to hold photographs and sonogram images. The hardcover book is durable and sturdy, and the pages are spiral bound to help it lay flat so you can write more easily. The versatile book has beautifully illustrated pages that make it so much more than a standard journal, with decorative pages to record a family tree, a Venn diagram to brainstorm baby names, and special tips to help the expectant mother feel more prepared.

This is a sweet, classic book that has plenty of prompts to help busy moms keep a thoughtful, meaningful log of their pregnancy that they can look back on each year. The illustrated book even comes with plenty of slots to hold photographs and keepsakes, so it acts as a scrapbook, too.

Price at time of publication: $20

Type:Journal and scrapbook |Prompts:Yes |Pages:144

Best DIY

Pearhead My Little Bump Pregnancy Journal

Pearhead My Little Bump Pregnancy Journal

Amazon

Pros
  • Linen cover

  • Durable hard cover

  • Open-ended pages are easy to personalize

Cons
  • Only contains 50 pages

  • Doesn’t have a calendar for tracking appointments

This scrapbook-style pregnancy journal comes with seven sections and open pages to include photos, sonogram images, or keepsakes. Each section has prompts to help parents record special details of every moment of the pregnancy, starting with the day they found out about the pregnancy. This book is a special keepsake geared toward the expectant mother, and it’s a great place to record thoughts, emotions, and memories. However, this isn’t a great organizational tool for mothers who are looking to track appointments, meal plans, or health records.

Price at time of publication: $28

Type:Journal and scrapbook |Prompts:Yes |Pages:50

Best Scrapbook

Pearhead Hello Beautiful Scrapbook

Pearhead Hello Beautiful Scrapbook

Amazon

Pros
  • Includes pages to tape in birth announcements, shower invites, and photographs

  • Has pages up to baby’s fifth birthday

  • Available in blue, pink, or gray

Cons
  • Not a gender-neutral style

  • Doesn’t have a calendar for tracking appointments

  • Not spiral-bound

Scrapbooks are a fantastic way to keep track of different photos and keepsakes throughout your pregnancy, and this book is a sweet and streamlined way to do it. With 50 pages featuring different prompts and lists, this guided book helps you track the most memorable parts of a pregnancy journey. It has pages to include birth announcements, shower invitations, and photographs of mom and dad. It also features sections to list shower gifts and visitors.

Though this book is a pregnancy scrapbook, it’s also a baby book. That means it has sections dedicated to mom’s hospital stay, with space to list who visited and what presents they bought. This sweet scrapbook goes all the way up to a child’s fifth birthday, so you can record all of the baby's “firsts,” like first word and first food. Keep in mind that this is not a planner, so there isn’t space to track appointments or meal plans.

Price at time of publication: $20

Type:Scrapbook |Prompts:Yes |Pages:50

Best With Templates

Paper Peony Press The Baby Book: A Modern Baby Memory Book

Paper Peony Press The Baby Book: A Modern Baby Memory Book

Amazon

Pros
  • Linen cover

  • Has a storage envelope for photos and sonograms

  • Includes pages up to baby’s fifth birthday

  • Spiral binding makes it easy to write in

Cons
  • Doesn’t have a calendar for tracking appointments

怀孕这优雅,经典的杂志是注定的华体会体育官方人口d to become a family heirloom. Each page comes with a template that’s easy to follow, and thoughtful prompts help parents keep a detailed log of the pregnancy with minimal effort. The book is simple and sleek, with a few gender-neutral illustrations—like a decorative family tree—that help make the book easy to read and write in.

The hardcover book is coated in linen, which gives it a soft, elegant feel. The book includes a keepsake envelope in the back for storing photos. Though this is a pregnancy journal, it also includes a few pages dedicated to the baby's first years. That way, you can record things like their first food, first steps, or first words in the book as well. Keep in mind that this isn’t a pregnancy planner, so it doesn’t have a calendar to track appointments.

Price at time of publication: $30

Type:Journal and scrapbook |Prompts:Yes |Pages:98

Best Food Journal

The Healthy Pregnancy Journal: A Weekly Guide for Reflecting on Your Pregnancy and Preparing Your Heart, Body, and Mind for Motherhood

The Healthy Pregnancy Journal: A Weekly Guide for Reflecting on Your Pregnancy and Preparing Your Heart, Body, and Mind for Motherhood

Amazon

Pros
  • Includes nutritional advice and birthing tips

  • Has open-ended journal space to record thoughts and memories

Cons
  • This is more of an organizational tool and less of a sentimental keepsake

If you’re looking for a practical way to stay on top of your health throughout pregnancy, keeping a food journal is a great way to do it. This book is designed to help moms stay organized and healthy. It contains inspiring journal prompts that make it easy to record thoughts, cravings, and aversions. It also contains open-ended journal pages to inspire pregnant moms to write about their hopes, dreams, and worries. Geared toward promoting a healthy pregnancy, we love that this book includes nutritional advice, tips for stress relief, and notes about the baby’s development.

This food journal is also a great way to learn about all the different body changes that come with pregnancy. However, it’s not designed to be a sentimental keepsake, so keep in mind that it’s more of a practical, organizational tool, rather than a special memento.

Price at time of publication: $18

Type:Food journal |Prompts:Yes |Pages:216

What Our Experts Say

“Pregnancy can be overwhelming, so a pregnancy journal can allow you to notate any dietary changes—which allows you to pinpoint specific foods that may be more helpful than others. Every pregnancy can be different, so using a food diary and tracking pregnancy changes can be a vital part of the journey.” —Jennifer Jolorte Doro, certified doula, lactation counselor, clinical nutritionist

Best Photo Book

Shutterfly Modern Baby Photo Book

Shutterfly Modern Baby Photo Book

Shutterfly

Pros
  • Choose from multiple customizable layouts

  • Six sizes to choose from

  • Comes with a soft cover, hard cover, or premium leather cover

Cons
  • Doesn’t have open-ended space for journaling

This completely customizable photo book is a fantastic visual diary of your pregnancy. The album can be personalized with six different sizes and a variety of page layouts. The theme is gender neutral, so it’s perfect for twins or for parents who haven’t yet found out the sex of their baby. Though this is traditionally a baby book, parents can fill it with whatever photos they like and it’s versatile enough to double as a pregnancy album, too.

This is a classic, tasteful photo book that your family can cherish for years to come. Keep in mind that this is a visual diary rather than a journal, so there isn’t space for open-ended journal writing, and there aren’t journal prompts to fill in.

Price at time of publication: $120

Type:Photo Album |Prompts:No |Pages:Customizable

Best Gender Neutral

Growing Together: A Gender Neutral Keepsake Pregnancy Journal and Baby Memory Book for Expecting Moms

Growing Together: A Gender Neutral Keepsake Pregnancy Journal and Baby Memory Book for Expecting Moms

Amazon

Pros
  • Subtle earth tones are decorative yet gender neutral

  • Linen cover is soft and elegant

Cons
  • 这是面向期待母亲,所以not ideal for non-birthing parents

  • Doesn’t have a calendar for tracking appointments

This stylish pregnancy journal is a fantastic gender-neutral option because it’s decorated with subtle earth tones that are appropriate for both girls and boys. That means it’s also a great option for twins or for parents who haven’t yet found out the sex of their baby. The hard cover is coated in linen, so it’s soft and elegant while maintaining a durable, sturdy construction.

This book includes over 100 prompted pages that help moms record the most special memories from pregnancy. There are sections for baby names, ideas, letters to baby, and a family tree. Though it is a guided, templated book, there are also open-ended pages to write and add photos and other images. Keep in mind that this is a true pregnancy journal, so it’s not ideal for non-birthing parents.

Price at time of publication: $30

Type:Journal |Prompts:Yes |Pages:108

How We Selected the Best Pregnancy Journals

In order to find the best pregnancy journals, we relied on personal experience, industry research, and expert advice. For this piece, we spoke withJennifer Jolorte Doro, certified doula, lactation counselor, clinical nutritionist, and co-founder/chief culinary officer at Chiyo, an Eastern food and medicine-inspired meal delivery service for the entire pregnancy journey through postpartum. We also spoke withJoyce Marter, a 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.

What to Look for in Pregnancy Journals

Preferences

Pregnancy journals come in many styles, so make sure to assess your goals in order to properly select one. “There is a type of pregnancy journal for everyone,” says Jolorte Doro. “If you're looking for a memory keepsake, there are specific ones that truly allow you to capture every single moment of a pregnancy,” she adds. “There are others that provide writing prompts to help put onto paper the emotions and moments throughout a pregnancy. There are also others which are more detailed and ask about doctor's visits, appointments, and even remind you the size of the fruit the baby is compared to,” says Jolorte Doro. Make sure to consider how much you’d like to write in each entry, too. If you want to keep detailed notes of the baby's progression, finding a more open-ended journal with plenty of space to write would be a good choice. If you want to include pictures, sonograms, and keepsakes, selecting a scrapbook-style journal, like the “Pearhead Hello Beautiful Scrapbook,” would be a better fit.

Additionally, Marter recommends considering who 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

正确的怀孕日记应该是华体会体育官方人口一个不错的选择or you and your family. It should serve as a useful tool that’s geared toward you and your needs, so make sure to consider inclusivity or specific demographics before purchasing one. “Ask yourself if you have any special demographics that you’d like to be taken into consideration. For example, if you are part of a same-sex couple, you’d want to make sure that the one you select is not geared toward opposite-sex couples. Or perhaps a pregnancy journal for Black moms, first-time moms, adoptive parents, or a Christian-focused pregnancy journal would be a good fit for you,” says Marter. Whichever type of pregnancy journal you choose, make sure it is one that will suit you and your family on a more inclusive level.

Prompts

Though having a completely open-ended journal can be great for long diary entries, pages and pages of blank space can be intimidating and overwhelming for busy parents. Having a journal with some thoughtful prompts, like the “Sweet Beginning Keepsake Journal,” is a great way to start the writing process. “There is a type of pregnancy journal for everyone,” says Jolorte Doro. “The journals that provide writing prompts help pregnant mothers put onto paper the emotions and moments throughout a pregnancy,” she adds.

Before selecting the best journal for you, consider if you’d like more space to document your emotions, thoughts, and stream of consciousness. If that’s the case, it’s best to select an open-ended journal with a lot of blank space and minimal instructions. If you’re looking for an easy, approachable way to document the many milestones of pregnancy, finding a journal with thoughtful prompts, like the “Becoming Mama Keepsake Book,” is a great idea.

Our list includes options for all tastes and preferences. If you’d like more free writing space, our top pick, “Expecting You—A Keepsake Pregnancy Journal,” offers plenty of room for creativity and is small enough to carry around with you so you can write when inspiration strikes. But if you’re more of a photography person and don’t really want to write much, the “Shutterfly Modern Baby Photo Book” lets you create a visual account of your journey.

Features

“在考虑怀孕期刊与不同华体会体育官方人口features, you might ask yourself, what is the intention of your journal?” Marter says. “For example, if you are using it as an emotionally cathartic release, you might want more free writing space or prompts. If you are keeping it as more of a scrapbook you might want more space for photos, ultrasounds, and other keepsakes. Or perhaps you really want to keep good track of your medical and health records, either for your own reference or for your children’s,” she says. A few options on our list are specifically designed to help moms stay organized throughout their pregnancy, including the “Bloom Daily Pregnancy Planner” and “The Healthy Pregnancy Journal.”

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 我应该怎么journal during pregnancy?

    A pregnancy journal is a fantastic way to keep track of all the joyous and exciting moments a pregnancy can bring. It’s a great place to record your emotions, hopes, worries, and even the changes in your diet or food preferences. From doctor’s appointments to weight gain, keeping track of the different details of your pregnancy can help make some of the symptoms a bit easier to manage. “Food aversions can be difficult to keep track of, severe nausea can seem impossible to manage, fatigue may seem inevitable, but a pregnancy journal can help record what foods were helpful compared to those that were not so favorable,” says Jolorte Doro. “One day you might love avocados and the next you never want to see one again. A pregnancy journal can help you remember those caveats and bring that information to your next doctor or midwife check-in,” she says.

  • When should I start a pregnancy journal?

    “There is no right or wrong way to keep a pregnancy journal,” Marter says. You can start one at the beginning of your pregnancy, or you can pick one up at a point in the process when you feel moved to record your thoughts and emotions. If you feel that you need more help keeping track of medical records, you can start one as soon as you’d like. They don’t all have to be a special keepsake or family heirloom; sometimes pregnancy journals are used to help mom keep on track with all the big changes coming her way. “The Healthy Pregnancy Journal: A Weekly Guide for Reflecting on Your Pregnancy and Preparing Your Heart, Body, and Mind for Motherhood,” for example, is specifically designed to help parents monitor their nutrition and well-being. Others are more of an emotional exercise: “Pregnancy journals can be kept for yourself personally—as a private sounding board for you to process your thoughts and feelings,” says Marter.

  • How much do quality pregnancy journals cost?

    Depending on the style you choose, pregnancy journals can cost anywhere from $10 to $120, with most options on our list priced around $30. The lower end of the price range will get you a smaller, simpler journal, like the “From Bump to Baby and Everything in Between” keepsake book. A more elaborate option, like theShutterfly Modern Baby Photo Book, can cost upwards of $100, but each page is fully customizable and printed professionally.

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Laura Denbyis a product reviews writer who covers everything from food to kitchen products to parenting and child development products. She is a trained chef with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education, and she has over five years of experience working as a chef in professional kitchens. Through her product reviews, Laura seeks to help her readers run a more organized, efficient, and happy home. Laura is mom to a 16-month-old daughter and a 3-year-old German Shepherd mix. Her product reviews can be found on FoodNetwork.com, Food & Wine, Parents.com, Forbes Vetted, Real Simple, and Taste of Home.