There are only a few very big moments in your life; becoming pregnant and having a baby is one of them. Commemorate your new adventure with these tips.

1. Journal

Write down what you are experiencing! Journal about your feelings, your pregnancy cravings, intense pregnancy dreams. Write down anything you would want to look back on and remember. Our memory isn’t perfect, but if we have written accounts, it’s a lot easier to remember the things we want to.

And hey, pregnancy isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. You can write about the not-so-fun stuff too. Was there someone at the store who came up and touched your belly without your permission? Did you have a false alarm that worried you? Writing and expressing yourself through words can be incredibly healing. Don’t bottle those emotions up, let them out in a healthy way.

2. Knit

Whether you are knitting for yourself or your baby, you can always look back on what you made and remember you made it when you were carrying your baby.

For beginners, try knitting a scarf. They are so easy and quick to make. If you are a little bit more experienced, try knitting booties for your baby to keep their little feet warm. You can even add them to a keepsake box after your baby has outgrown them, which brings us to our next commemorative tool.

3. Keepsake Box

Create a keepsake box with all the sentimental moments of your pregnancy. Some things to include are:

• Pregnancy test
• Ultrasounds
• Poems
• Wishes for baby
• A copy of your birth plan
• Maternity photos

As you find sentimental value in your everyday life and the big moments in pregnancy, think about adding them into your keepsake box. Having a keepsake box will allow you to stop and appreciate the little things during a big transition period.

4. Maternity Photos

Maternity photos are a great way to commemorate your pregnancy while feeling absolutely beautiful. The best time to get maternity pictures taken is usually between 28-36 weeks, when your belly is big enough to be noticeable, but not too big to where you are miserable being on your feet!

If a professional photographer is not in your budget right now, don’t worry! Ask a close friend or family member if they would be willing to take pictures of you on your phone. Get dressed up in a dress or shirt that accentuates your growing belly and head to the park for a nice backdrop. Try placing your hands so one is above your belly, and your other hand just below, like you are holding your baby in the womb.

Another fun way to commemorate your pregnancy with videos is to use an app called 1 Second Every Day. The app allows you to record one second everyday, then stitches the videos together to create a longer video. Now imagine short clips of your belly growing each day stitched together with short clips of your newborn baby. That’s adorable, right?

5. Art

Art is a therapeutic way to express yourself during pregnancy. Let it be fun, your art does not have to be a masterpiece. What matters is that you are enjoying your time creating and expressing yourself. Try experimenting with different techniques or mediums than you are used to. Maybe some of your artwork goes into your keepsake box we talked about earlier. Maybe you hang it on the wall or display it on a shelf for your visitors to admire. Maybe your artwork is personal and for your eyes only.

If you have older children and you’re comfortable with things getting a little messy, invite them to paint on your belly. Just be sure to use body safe paint! Then they can be a part of welcoming their new sibling to the world.

6. Belly Cast

To get a 3-D representation of your pregnant belly, try doing a belly cast! You can order a kit online and get to work on recreating a mold of your belly. After you’ve had your baby you can look back on your belly cast and be amazed by what your body created and carried all those months.

Takeaway

However you decide to commemorate your pregnancy, you will be thankful you did. You could even make your commemorations into a tradition and show your child each year on their birthday. Tell them stories about when you were carrying them; how you’d play with their feet as they kicked, or about the joy you would feel each time you heard their heartbeat.

Want to schedule a free consultation with our midwives? Contact us today!