Pregnancy is such an exciting time, especially if it’s your first. Your body is changing, your emotions are up and down. A precious little creation has invaded your body and is taking over!

The list that follows is my compilation of pregnancy essentials. Selected with you in mind, each of these items will help to make your pregnancy a little easier, and wonderfully special…

To Make Your Pregnancy A Little Easier

1. Pregnancy Vitamins
These are really important for baby’s development, and for your continued well-being.

2. A Back ‘n Belly Contoured Body Pillow
From neck and back support, to padding between your knees, the body pillow has everything you need on both sides, so you turn over and leave the pillow where it is. It’s great! No more pillow fighting at 3am.

3. A Wheat Bag
After four pregnancies, my wheat bag has become a firm best friend. An absolute must for easing all those minor aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

4. A Birthing Ball
Primarily used as an aid during labor, it’s also wonderful for backache during your pregnancy.

5. Maternity Clothes
Treat yourself to a few well-fitting maternity outfits. A woman’s pregnant body is a beautiful thing — you don’t have to hide it under a sack.

6. Stretch Mark Cream
The last thing you want at the end of your pregnancy, is a bunch of stretch marks. You can minimize the chances of their occurrence by using a good cream or oil.

7. Baby Books And Magazines
When it comes to pregnancy, labor and birth, knowledge is power. The more informed you are, the more confident and relaxed you will be. And a relaxed mommy makes for a contented newborn.

To Make Your Pregnancy Really Special

1. Make a Keepsake Box
Into this little time-capsule, put every little reminder of your special baby-carrying months. (You can add keepsakes of baby’s birth too if you like.)

2. Buy a Digital Camera
Indispensable for taking pictures of the bump and progress on the baby nursery decorating project.

3. Find a Good Pregnancy Calendar
Pregnancy calendars come in the form of online weekly e-mails, or printable 40 week calendars that you can hang on your bedroom wall. Either one will keep you up to date with what to expect next.

4. Keep a Pregnancy Journal
You’ll be surprised at what you’ll jot down from time to time. Remember, those emotions are going to be rocking and rolling!

5. Buy or Borrow a Good Baby Name Guide
Earlier, rather than later. If you really want a stressful experience, you’ll leave choosing a baby name for the last minute.

6. Beg, Borrow or Steal a Doppler
No more waiting for your Ob/Gyn appointment to hear the incredible sound of your baby’s heartbeat.

7. Make a Belly Cast
You can buy a kit, or make your own from scratch, but this is a must do. What a perfect reminder of this wonderful time.

Even after you’ve worked hard to lose your leftover pregnancy pounds, sometimes, out of nowhere, the weight manages to come back. If this sounds like you, here are some tips to help you lose the weight and keep it off.

1. Don’t eat your kids’ food.

Kids don’t always eat everything you put in front of them. They may leave half a hamburger, or a plate full of chicken nuggets. And, when you’re cleaning up after them, it can be tempting to finish what they left on the plate—after all food is expensive and you don’t want to throw it away. But think sensibly. These foods are composed of empty calories that will cause weight gain. I suggest that you either wrap it up for later or throw it out.

2. Make a commitment to quit fast food.

This can be a hard one when your kids get a little olde. Sometimes, it’s easier to grab something from the local fast food joint than it is to prepare a healthy home-cooked meal. How about a happy medium that will satisfy everyone? How about some Linguine with a light, healthy homemade tomato sauce? It’s easy to prepare, and just as quick to make as a visit to the drive-thru. Fresh fruits or veggie snacks are just as easy to pick up on the road as junk foods. A quick salad and garlic bread is a snap to make in the summertime.

3. Give yourself a reward!

With hectic lives to be managed, there can be little time left for treating yourself. If you’re committed to losing that weight, why not make it for a really good reason? Promise to treat yourself when you reach your goal—whether it’s a new outfit, a great pair of shoes or even a short weekend getaway somewhere. This will keep you inspired to reach higher heights.

4. Don’t stay up too late.

With the amount of work you do for others during the day, it can be a huge temptation to stay up past your bedtime. When the house is quiet, and you have a moment to yourself, be sure not to raid the kitchen cupboard because for many women staying up late means snacking. Get to sleep on time, and wake up earlier.

5. Eat breakfast!

Eating breakfast first thing in the morning is the single best way to increase your metabolism throughout the day. Admittedly, it can be hard to get a house full of kids out of the door, on time, in one piece, while reserving a small slice of time for yourself. Just get up a little earlier and when the house is still quiet, sit down to a nice breakfast – an egg-white omelet, a piece of toast and juice, or a high-fiber, low-calorie cereal and start your day off the right way.

6. Quality exercise time – with the whole family.

If you want to get out and exercise more but you just can’t find the time, take the family with you. Go for a neighborhood bike ride. Try a fun nature walk through the local parks. Take them to the pool. The kids will love the change of pace, and you’ll be getting the exercise you need to get those pounds off.

Pregnancy is such an exciting time, especially if it’s your first. Your body is changing, your emotions are up and down. A precious little creation has invaded your body and is taking over!

The list that follows is my compilation of pregnancy essentials. Selected with you in mind, each of these items will help to make your pregnancy a little easier, and wonderfully special…

To Make Your Pregnancy A Little Easier

1. Pregnancy Vitamins
These are really important for baby’s development, and for your continued well-being.

2. A Back ‘n Belly Contoured Body Pillow
From neck and back support, to padding between your knees, the body pillow has everything you need on both sides, so you turn over and leave the pillow where it is. It’s great! No more pillow fighting at 3am.

3. A Wheat Bag
After four pregnancies, my wheat bag has become a firm best friend. An absolute must for easing all those minor aches and pains associated with pregnancy.

4. A Birthing Ball
Primarily used as an aid during labor, it’s also wonderful for backache during your pregnancy.

5. Maternity Clothes
Treat yourself to a few well-fitting maternity outfits. A woman’s pregnant body is a beautiful thing — you don’t have to hide it under a sack.

6. Stretch Mark Cream
The last thing you want at the end of your pregnancy, is a bunch of stretch marks. You can minimize the chances of their occurrence by using a good cream or oil.

7. Baby Books And Magazines
When it comes to pregnancy, labor and birth, knowledge is power. The more informed you are, the more confident and relaxed you will be. And a relaxed mommy makes for a contented newborn.

To Make Your Pregnancy Really Special

1. Make a Keepsake Box
Into this little time-capsule, put every little reminder of your special baby-carrying months. (You can add keepsakes of baby’s birth too if you like.)

2. Buy a Digital Camera
Indispensable for taking pictures of the bump and progress on the baby nursery decorating project.

3. Find a Good Pregnancy Calendar
Pregnancy calendars come in the form of online weekly e-mails, or printable 40 week calendars that you can hang on your bedroom wall. Either one will keep you up to date with what to expect next.

4. Keep a Pregnancy Journal
You’ll be surprised at what you’ll jot down from time to time. Remember, those emotions are going to be rocking and rolling!

5. Buy or Borrow a Good Baby Name Guide
Earlier, rather than later. If you really want a stressful experience, you’ll leave choosing a baby name for the last minute.

6. Beg, Borrow or Steal a Doppler
No more waiting for your Ob/Gyn appointment to hear the incredible sound of your baby’s heartbeat.

7. Make a Belly Cast
You can buy a kit, or make your own from scratch, but this is a must do. What a perfect reminder of this wonderful time.