I both dreaded and prayed for my labor. 

As excited as I was to finally meet my little girl (and get her out), I was terrified of childbirth. There were so many things I didn’t know; how badly would it hurt? What does a contraction feel like? How was I supposed to even know when I was in labor? Am I going to have a c-section if I get an epidural?

Childbirth isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be scary either. 

A prenatal course will prepare you for your labor and alleviate some of these common fears. Having said that, it’s important to find the right prenatal course.

In this post, I’m reviewing the Birth It Up! Epidural Series online childbirth class. The Birth It Up! classes have gone completely viral on Instagram, with over 1000 students since its release. 

With so many women turning to these classes, I knew I had to check them out too.

In my Birth It Up! Epidural Series review, we’re going to take a deep look into the pros, cons, and content of this class so you can decide if it’s right one for you.

RELATED POSTS:

• The Birth It Up! Natural Series Review
• The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class Review
• The Online Prenatal Class for Couples Review

Birth It Up! Epidural Series Review: A Comprehensive Review of an Affordable Online Childbirth Class

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.

Birth It Up! Epidural Series Review: At a Glance

Use code BLUNDERSINBABYLAND for 10% OFF

What is Birth It Up! Epidural Series

Birth It Up! is an online childbirth course created and taught by Liesel Teen. Liesel is an L & D nurse who loves sharing her experience and knowledge about childbirth, pregnancy, and early motherhood. As a first-time mom, Liesel offers a refreshing outlook on childbirth that I think you’re going to love.

Namely, she’s completely pro-do-what’s-best-for-you (whether you want an epidural or not) and this attitude shines throughout her entire course. 

 Liesel offers two Birth It Up! courses: the Natural Series and the Epidural Series. The Natural Series focuses on how to labor without an epidural. The Epidural Series focuses on giving birth with the aid of an epidural or other pharmaceuticals. 

Both courses deliver a curriculum you’d expect to find in hospital-led prenatal classes. We’ll dive into the content found in the course in a moment.

Class Structure

The Birth It Up! class is a hybrid of video and written content.

 For the majority of the course, Liesel explains the process of labor and getting an epidural through short, informational videos. The videos are quick, to the point, and very effective. 

Each lesson is accompanied by a written guide. Personally, I loved the written guide. If I was having trouble concentrating or if the information wasn’t quite processing, I could easily look below to find everything she discusses clearly written out. 

The course also includes the digital guide, The Ultimate Guide to Labor and Delivery.

Content

In my opinion, this class completely changes the game for the prenatal course industry. 

Liesel covers everything you would expect to find at a hospital-led class, minus the real life instructor and hospital tour. In addition, you’re learning in a class specifically created for women getting an epidural.

If you’re feeling nervous about the unknowns of labor or even getting an epidural, I truly believe this course will ease some of your fears. 

A few of the topics included are:

• Choosing a Provider
• What to Expect at the Hospital
• The Anatomy of Labor and What to Expect
• Interventions and Inducing
• Epidurals 101: The procedure, benefits, side-effects, and how to labor with an epidural (this one is really important)
• Other Medications for Pain
• Birth plans, Doulas, and Cervical exams
• A “Crash Course” on Pain Management 
• Post-Delivery Tips
• Special Circumstances

Who This Course is For

If you’re a new mom and you know you want to get an epidural, this class is a great investment. 

Labor can be full of unknowns and unexpected turns. Even though an epidural will take care of your pain, you want to be able to go into the hospital confident and prepared to make difficult decisions if needed.

Liesel’s course covered everything I had learned in my hospital-led prenatal class for less than a third of the price.

Having said that, I wouldn’t recommend this course for everybody and here’s why:

If you even THINK you want to go natural. While Birth It Up! Epidural Series does contain a pretty thorough section on pain management, it is not a natural childbirth course. It only offers the essential information you need to know just in case you “accidentally” go natural. If you’re interested in going natural at all, I would recommend her Birth It Up! Natural Series class or another online natural childbirth class.

You honestly can’t learn online. Online classes truly take discipline to complete. It’s easy to purchase the class and forget about it or get distracted by last minute baby prepping. I don’t want you to waste your money!

Alternatively, if lecture-style courses don’t jive with your learning style, this is also not a good fit. If you need live interaction, please sign up for an in-person class.

However, if you’re definitely getting an epidural and you think an online course will work for you, then congratulations! You’ve found a great resource. Let’s move on to some of the course features I think you’re going to love.

The Birth It Up! Epidural Series Review: Highlights

The Epidural Procedure

I was sincerely blown away by the time I finished the epidural section. I personally received an epidural for my labor (after 19 hours of trying to go natural!). Liesel described the process with such accuracy and detail that she could have been in the room with me. 

She also walks you through best practices, exactly what the anesthesiologist does to you and why he does it, how long it takes, what to expect physically, and (most importantly) the side-effects and long-term effects that you need to consider.

How to Labor with an Epidural

Laboring with an epidural is much less painful but also kind of tricky. Because you’re numb from the waist down, you may have trouble feeling when and how to push your baby out. Liesel goes over the best labor positions to try after having an epidural and techniques for pushing when that instinct has been dulled. 

Anatomy of Labor and What to Expect

Most anatomy lessons put you to sleep. The anatomy lesson in the Birth It Up Epidural Series class was actually interesting and incredibly helpful. It quickly explained what is physically happening before, during, and after labor so you can know exactly what to expect.

A few of the topics discussed are:

• How to prepare for going into labor (which may help you have a quicker one!)
• How to identify labor contractions vs. Braxton Hicks contractions
• When to go to the hospital
• The stages and length of labor

Natural Childbirth “Crash Course”

As I said earlier, this is not a natural childbirth course. However, Birth It Up! Epidural Series does offer a surprisingly thorough section on how to cope with labor just in case you’re unable to get an epidural. 

“Accidentally” laboring naturally absolutely can happen so I think this section is probably one of the most important lessons of the course.

Liesel goes over pain-coping techniques, the right attitude for laboring naturally, and what to do if the pain becomes too overwhelming.

All the “Extra” Content

Post-delivery tips, special circumstances, reliable resources. 

This is the information you probably wouldn’t have considered researching on your own, that comes directly from the experiences of a fellow mom and labor nurse.

It prepares you for those not-so-ideal situations that may arise during your labor, such as an ill-positioned baby, emergency c-sections, and delivering with dangerous blood pressure. 

I also loved that the course doesn’t leave you high and dry once you deliver. It has a full section covering the delivery of your placenta, repairing perineal tears, and postpartum care.

Speaking of  postpartum, if you’d like to breastfeed and are looking for resources, check out my review of the Ultimate Breastfeeding Class by Milkology. It’s another budget-friendly course I highly recommend.

Price

One of the most appealing highlights for sure. 

I wasn’t exaggerating when I said that the Birth It Up! Epidural Series class changes the game. Not only does it offer childbirth education catering to women that want an epidural, but it’s completely affordable. I’ve honestly taken childbirth courses containing less information for literally triple the price. 

The Birth It Up! Epidural Series Review Conclusions: Is this Class Worth It?

Knowledge is power. 

Whether you have an epidural or go natural, you’re about to undergo an intensive process that can be nerve-wracking for even the most prepared woman. 

I honestly believe that taking a childbirth class will empower you and eliminate some of those fears creeping in your mind.

The Birth It Up! Epidural Series is a great class that was specifically designed for women like you. It’s quick, incredibly informative, and for just $39, a great investment.  

If you want to purchase the course, make sure you use my coupon code, BLUNDERSINBABYLAND to get 10% off. You can find the link to the course on the button below.

If you have any questions about the course, I hope you’ll let me know in the comments below. I would love to help you. Or, if you want to know about the other budget-friendly courses I recommend, check out the links below.

I hope you have an incredible birthing experience and I can’t wait for you to finally meet your little one!

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• Birth It Up! Natural Series Review
• The Ultimate Breastfeeding Class by Milkology Review
•  The Online Prenatal Class for Couples Review

Thinking about going natural?

A natural childbirth allows you to experience your first, sweet moments of motherhood to its fullest. While childbirth is an amazing event, it can also be difficult, long, and, sometimes, scary.

Natural childbirth classes teach you how to effectively cope with the rigors and complications labor throws at you without the aid of an epidural. Until now, these classes came at a price point that many women just couldn’t afford.

Then Birth It Up! The Natural Series arrived on the scene.

When I heard about Liesel Teen’s Birth It Up! class, I knew I had to check it out. Birth It Up! claims to prepare expecting moms for a natural labor, all for a quarter of the price of other birth courses.

Maybe you’ve already done your research on natural childbirth courses and want to see how Birth It Up! compares. Or, maybe you’re a fan of Mommy Labor Nurse and can’t wait to dig into her new class.

Whatever the case, I’m sure you have two main questions: 1. Is it worth it? And 2., can it help me have a natural childbirth?

I took Birth it Up! just so I could answer those questions for you. In this Birth It Up! Natural Series review, we’re going to go over the pros, cons, and content covered in this viral course.

By the end of this review, I hope you’ll have the information you need to decide if its the right class for you. 

RELATED POSTS:

• The KOPA PREPARED Online Birth Course Review
• Mama Natural Birth Course Review
• The Online Prenatal Class for Couples Review

The Birth It Up! Natural Series Review

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.

Birth It Up! Natural Series Review: At a Glance

What is the Birth It Up! Natural Series

Birth It Up! is an online childbirth course created and taught by Liesel Teen, an L & D nurse passionate about childbirth, pregnancy, and early motherhood.

After taking the course, I’ve got to say that I love Liesel’s unique take on childbirth. As an L & D nurse and a first-time mom herself, she brings so much knowledge to the table!

 Liesel actually created two Birth It Up! courses: the Natural Series and the Epidural Series. As you can probably imagine, the Natural Series focuses on how to labor through childbirth without the aid of an epidural. The Epidural Series delivers a curriculum centered around responsibly using an epidural. 

Both courses provide in-depth coverage of labor and delivery topics that you’d find in hospital-based prenatal classes. We’ll get more into exactly what content is covered in a moment.

Class Structure

The majority of the class is taught by instructional videos. Basically, Liesel sits you down and reveals the secrets of childbirth to you. It’s very casual, but also to the point and without much fluff. 

A narrative is included at the bottom of each lesson.

While taking the course, I found the written narrative extremely helpful. If you’re anything like me, you might struggle to retain information without taking notes or reading a written guide. The combination of video and written content helped me focus and solidify the information. Plus, the notes make a great quick-reference guide for later.

The course also includes a free guide, The Ultimate Guide to Labor and Delivery.

Content

Despite focusing on natural childbirth, the Birth It Up! Natural Series class actually offers a very comprehensive overview of all aspects of late pregnancy, labor, and delivery. 

The amount of information I studied in this course was definitely equivalent to the hospital-led course I took in my own pregnancy.

A few of the topics included are:

• Choosing a Provider
• Epidurals, Medications, Inductions, and Other Interventions
• The Anatomy of Labor and What to Expect
• What to Expect at the Hospital
• Pain Management and Pushing Tips
• Post-Delivery Tips
• Special Circumstances

Who This Course is For

First, let’s go over why you need to take a natural childbirth course if you plan on delivering epidural-free.

Just as Liesel said in her class, knowledge is power, especially with something as unknown and painful as childbirth. When you prepare beforehand and educate yourself on how to effectively cope with this pain, you’re much more likely to have a beautiful, natural birth experience.

So, please, take a natural childbirth class. 

Whether you choose one taught at a local birthing center or an online-based, it needs to be reputable and should focus primarily on giving birth naturally. 

While there are some exceptions, most hospital-based childbirth courses are not adequate sources for natural laboring techniques. That’s definitely not a slight on hospital-based labor educators. These hospital childbirth educators are often passionate, experienced professionals. 

However, hospital-led courses accommodate a range of women that may or may not be interested in giving birth naturally. They simply don’t have time to go into more advanced pain-coping techniques. 

Who I Would Recommend the Birth It Up! Class To

Hopefully by now I’ve convinced you that taking any natural childbirth class is in your best interests. 

But why should you take this class?

The Birth It Up! Class is perfect for new moms on a budget. It goes over the essentials of natural childbirth at an incredible price. If you want to go natural and simply can’t afford to take the more advanced natural childbirth classes, it’s well worth your time and money.

This course is also great for women that are on a time-crunch. If your due date is in a week and you need to knock out a childbirth course in a few hours, Birth It Up! will tell you everything you need to know. 

Who this Course Isn’t For

If you’re looking for a full-featured natural childbirth course, the Birth It Up! class is not for you.

Birth It Up! Natural Series was designed to give expecting millennials quick, bite-sized information from an unbiased source. While the video lessons are packed with information, the course itself was designed to be consumed in three hours. 

It does not contain interactive lessons, step-by-step tutorials on how to cope with labor pains, and demonstration exercises.

If you’re searching for a more comprehensive course, you may want to invest in the KOPA PREPARED Birth Course or the Mama Natural Birth Course. These massive courses contain lessons and exercises that are meant to be practiced throughout the span of a couple weeks to better prepare you by the time labor rolls around. 

Before you purchase this course (or any online course for that matter) really be honest with yourself about your goals for pregnancy as well as your learning style. 

If you need the extra visuals, practice homework, and exercises, then those courses are worth their investment. However, if you’re confident that a lecture-style course fits your learning style then Birth It Up! is an excellent resource.  

Birth It Up! Natural Series Review: Highlights

Epidurals, Medications, Inductions, and Other Interventions

 While the course does focus primarily on giving birth naturally, it also offers a very thorough section on epidurals and other medications. The idea is to inform you about these topics so you can be prepared for real world situations. Believe me, poop happens during even the most prepared woman’s labor (literally).

Liesel explains the entire epidural process, side-effects, and benefits of getting an epidural. She also goes over other pharmaceuticals (such as nitrous oxide and fentanyl) that may be able to take the edge off just enough that you can labor epidural-free. 

I particularly enjoyed her take on interventions and inductions. Inductions are such a common occurrence, especially after recent studies.  Liesel explains the pros and cons of inductions and other interventions in an unbiased format.

Anatomy of Labor and What to Expect

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually liked the anatomy lesson Liesel gave in this course. 

By the end of that section you’ll not only be able to understand what’s happening during labor, but why it’s happening. You’ll learn everything you need to about labor, such as what to expect, the stages of labor, how to identify contractions, and when to call your provider.

She also teaches you how to prepare your body beforehand so you can enjoy a quicker labor with fewer complications.  

Pain Management and Pushing Tips

While there aren’t any demonstrations provided with the course, Liesel does discuss breathing and relaxation techniques to help you cope with labor pains.

She also goes into her theory on labor positions, the right mentality necessary for going natural, and how to cope when you just can’t take it anymore.

Post-Delivery Tips

Delivering your baby is only half the story!

In this section, you’ll learn about what happens after you deliver your baby. A few topics you’ll learn about are how to deliver your placenta, possible complications you could run into postpartum, the basics of postpartum care, and perineal tearing.

Special Circumstances

Just like inductions, epidurals, and other medications, I think it’s critical that you’re at least aware of unplanned situations before entering into labor. 

The course goes over special circumstances, such as c-sections, breech babies, posterior babies, and rare pregnancy conditions. 

Chances are, you won’t have to deal with these situations. But, should you ever find yourself at that point, you’ll at least be able to make informed choices.

Birth It Up! Natural Series Review: Is it Worth It?

That’s the ultimate question, isn’t it? Is this class worth it? 

In my opinion, if you’re a natural-minded mama on a budget, you need to take this course. 

After my own failed attempt at going natural, I think it’s a mistake going into labor without taking a natural birth course. The key to successfully navigating through an epidural-free labor lies is preparation. Birth It Up! Is full of information you probably haven’t even considered researching yet. Information that can give you the confidence you need to walk into that hospital, fearless, and ready to rock your birth. 

With the unbeatable price-point and Liesel’s knowledge and passion for childbirth, I think Birth It Up! is a great resource you don’t want to miss. 

On a side note, the course also offers a pretty impressive community to get involved with. With over 1000 members in the Birth It Up Facebook group, you’ll be surrounded by expecting moms that can support and help you through this last leg of pregnancy. 

RELATED POST: 7 Mistakes You Need to Avoid if You Want to Go Natural

Rock Your Birth!

I hope my Birth It Up! Natural Series review helped you decide if this is the right natural childbirth class for you. If you have any questions about the course, I’d love to hear from you. Just shoot me a message in the comments below. I’m happy to help!

If you’d like to go ahead and rock your labor with Liesel and the other students at Birth It Up, you can snag the course 10% off with my exclusive discount code, BLUNDERSINBABYLAND.

If you’re still researching, don’t forget to check out my other childbirth course reviews.

Good luck, Mama!

RELATED POSTS:

• The KOPA PREPARED Online Birth Course Review
• Mama Natural Birth Course Review
• The Online Prenatal Class for Couples Review

Choosing a baby name is tough. My husband and I literally spent hours writing down baby names, narrowing our list, and then started from scratch the next day. 

But choosing a name when you don’t even know the gender of your baby? I definitely feel for you.

Everyone loves buying babies personalized gifts, which can add a decent amount of pressure to choose a name before giving birth. So, if you’ve decided to leave the gender of your baby a surprise, gender neutral baby names could be the perfect solution.

Gender neutral baby names are actually quite popular right now. This list will highlight both popular and unique unisex baby names. Hopefully, by the end of this post, you’ll hone in on the perfect name for your little one.

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50 Unique and Popular Gender Neutral Names with Great Meanings

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. I only recommend what I trust. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions. 

Ashton 

Although Ashton is more commonly used for girls, it’s by no means uncommon for boys. Ashton is actually an English surname, meaning “ash tree town.”

Alexi

This name has been one of my favorites ever since I heard it. It’s a variation of Alexander, which means “defender of man.” You’ll see quite a few Alexander variants on this list.

Bentley

Bentley is a classy name, especially if you or your partner is a car-enthusiast. It’s Old English for “covered with bent grass.”

Christian 

This is probably one of the most popular unisex baby names on this list. Literally meaning “follower of Christ,” the use of Christian spiked in the 1990s. While it’s still a very popular boy name, it’s becoming less popular for girls. 

Dallas 

Aside from location, this gender neutral name gets its roots from the Gaelic language. It means “meadow dwelling.”

Devon

Devon is an old Irish word, that means “defender”. Alternatively, some believe it originated from the county in England.

Evan 

Although it has several roots in other languages, the unisex rendition of this name stems from Hebrew. It can be translated as “God is gracious.”

Emery

Another gender neutral baby name with multiple meanings, the Teutonic meaning for Emery is “industrious”, while the German form means “brave.”

Fallon

One of my personal favorites, Fallon is Irish for “leader.” Fallon is traditionally thought to be a girl name, but originally was old for men.  

RELATED POST: 40 Unique Irish Boy Names with Strong Meanings

Fred 

When you’re choosing a unisex baby name, you might want to stick with a nickname for now and adjust baby’s full name after he (or she!) is born. This post will list off a few gender neutral names that follow that idea. 

Fred is an excellent nickname for both boys and girls. Frederick or Fredrich in German means “peaceful ruler.” If you happen to have a girl, Winifred is a beautiful, Old Welsh name for “blessed” or “holy one.”

Gael 

Gael is one of the most popular gender neutral baby names of this modern era. It’s a Celtic name, simply referring to a gaelic-speaking person.

Gene

Gene, or more commonly Jean in its feminine form, is a short version of Eugene. Eugene means “well-born.”

Harper 

This gender neutral baby name just keeps growing in popularity. It’s a beautiful yet strong name, literally meaning “harp player.”

Hayden

Traditionally, Hayden was considered more of a boy name. However, now it’s really starting to see some growth on the feminine side. The name is super cool as well; it’s Welsh for “fire.”

Indiana

The man, the myth, the legend…or the heartland state. Whether you have fond memories of the state or simply love the connection to the adventurer, it’s a great name for both boys and girls.  

Izzy

Izzy was considered more of a female name, but it’s definitely picking up some steam for boys as well. I love its versatility; it can be a shortened version of Isabella, Isabel, Isaac, and even Isaiah. 

SHORT ON TIME? PIN IT FOR LATER!

Julian 

Originally Julian was a variation of the name Julius, which means “youthful.” During the Roman times, Julius was actually considered a gender neutral name. Julian simply followed that trend. 

Jerri 

Jerri (or Gerri) is a nickname for the English name, Geraldine or Gerald. Both mean “ruling spear.”

Kyle

Before Kyla became popular, Kyle was considered a gender neutral baby name. The name was originally a Scottish surname, meaning “strait.” 

Kasey

Still a popular unisex name today, Kasey means “brave.”

Lauren 

Traditionally thought of as a girl name, Lauren gained popularity for boys in the 1800s. It’s latin for “laurel plant.”

Laine

You can pronounce Laine as “Lane” or “Lane-ee”. In any case, Lane is a Finnish name meaning “wave.”

Max 

Another personal favorite, Max can be a nickname for Maxine, Maxwell, or Maximillion. Max usually takes on the definition of Maximillion, which means “greatest.”

Madison 

Although Madison is more commonly used as a girl name in modern days, it was originally considered a male name, meaning “Matthew’s son.”

Nat

The next three gender neutral baby names can be narrowed down once your baby is born. Nat is the nickname for Natalia, Natasha, Natalie, Nathan, and Nathaniel.

Nicky 

Another popular nickname, Nicky (or Nicki) can be used for Nicole or Nicholas.

Ollie 

Ollie is a classic nickname for Oliver or Olivia.

Oakley

Much like Bentley, Oakley is an ultra trendy English name. Oakley means “oak grove.”

Parker 

Used for both females and males throughout time, Parker is Old English for “park keeper.”

Patton

Patton (or Peyton if you’re a football fan) is an old unisex baby name meaning “fighter’s town.” 

Quinn

If you’d like to give your baby an intellectual head-start, Quinn is a traditional Gaelic surname meaning, “wisdom.”

Quade

Quade or Qade (sounds like “Wade” with a Q) is more often used as a boy name. However, in the past it was actually a gender neutral baby name bestowed on the fourth-born child.

Riley

Riley is a strong, feisty Irish name meaning “valiant.” 

Raine

In Old French, Raine was used exclusively as a feminine name that meant “queen” or “she sings.” In modern days, more and more boys are taking on the name. 

Sacha 

Sacha is the Russian variation of Alexander, defender of man.

Saffron 

Saffron actually gets its roots from Egypt. Originally, it was used as a unisex name referencing its yellow spice namesake.

Taylor 

An extremely popular gender neutral baby name, Taylor literally means, “to cut.”

Teagan 

Teagan is Gaelic for little poet. Or, if bestowed on a boy, it can also mean handsome man.

Tristan 

Tristan has a long line of heroic predecessors, mostly male. Before the myth, Tristan was a unisex Welsh name meaning “outcry” or “noisy.”

Umber 

A perfect choice for your brown-haired boy or girl.

Eunice

Unice (more commonly spelled Eunice), is greek, for “good victory.” It grew in popularity as a boy name in the 80s.

Vic

Vic is a great nickname for your little Victor or Victoria.

Valen 

If you’re searching for a meaningful gender neutral baby name, Valen is a solid choice. It’s an English name that means “strong.” 

Wesley 

Wesley is a fairly popular English name that means “dweller of the western wood clearing.” Although in the past it was used more as a boy name, we’ve seen a spike in girl Wesleys in the last decade.

Will 

Another unisex nickname that’s seen a sudden increase in female namebearers. Will is usually a shortened version of the names Willow or William. 

Xavier 

Most of us are familiar with the male version of Xavier, a Spanish name meaning large house or castle. However, in Aramaic cultures Xavier is also considered a girl name and means “bright.”

Yule 

If you’re expecting a Christmas baby, Yule is perfect! Yule means “winter solstice.”

York 

York is a trendy, location-based unisex name gaining popularity quick. 

Zander

A unique variation of Alexander, that can actually be used for boys and girls.

Zen 

If you suspect that your baby is a quiet soul, Zen could be the perfect name. 

What’s Your Favorite Gender Neutral Baby Names?

What do you think? Did you see any gender neutral baby names that inspired you? 

If you’re still looking, try writing down your top three before moving on to fresh ideas. Then, eliminate three from your top six. Try those remaining top three on for size for about a week. If none of them feel right, move on. 

 If you’re still searching for inspiration, we have several posts devoted to finding the perfect baby name! I hope you’ll check them out, as well as some of our most helpful pregnancy posts.

Good luck, Mama!

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Most of the time, new moms just want gift cards and the baby essentials listed on her gift registry, but we’ve all been in those situations where those gifts just aren’t going to cut it. Maybe you’re nowhere near the store mom registered for or her registry items are a little lackluster.

In any case, this post is going to help you find the practical baby shower gifts you’ve been searching for.

Below are just a few of the most useful gifts I received or wished I had received as a new mom. Your mom-to-be friend may not have asked for them, but trust me, these gifts will make you a hero in her book.

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20 Baby Shower Gifts For Baby

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. I only recommend what I trust. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.

When you go to a baby shower, you’re essentially purchasing gifts for two very different people. Let’s look at the practical baby shower gifts for baby first and then we can tackle mom’s needs.

Incredibundles Diaper Subscription

During a baby’s first year of life he will go through approximately 2,500 diapers. That makes a diaper subscription the dream gift for new parents.

The Incredibundles diaper subscription not only delivers diapers straight to your mama’s door for an entire year, but it allows her to choose which diapers she’d like delivered.

As the purchaser, you have a couple subscription options. You can choose:

• 3 Month Subscription
• 6 Month Subscription
• 9 Month Subscription
• 12 Month Subscription

If you want to learn more about the Incredibundles diaper and wipes subscriptions, you can visit their website here.

Sound Machine

If you’re a last gen parent, you’re probably scratching your head at this new trend. I don’t blame you. A white noise machine wasn’t even on my radar during pregnancy. In fact, I thought the whole idea was a little weird.

Motherhood taught me the error in my ways.

White noise machines project a gentle sound that dulls any surrounding background noise. For the exhausted mom, this machine is a godsend when the Amazon delivery man rings the doorbell, the family dog starts barking, or if she just wants to watch a late-night movie.

There are plenty of sound machines on the market, but she’ll probably get the most use out of  the Hatch sound machine. It’s a nightlight/sound machine/alarm hybrid that is wirelessly controlled by your mommy friend’s smartphone.

Personalized Baby Blanket

A personalized blanket is a functional yet unique baby shower gift both mom and baby will appreciate.

Babies naturally require a lot of blankets, whether for sleeping, swaddling, or a makeshift diaper changing station. A personalized blanket will eventually turn into a treasured gift.

My favorite place to shop for personalized blankets is Zazzle. The blanket pictured above is well-priced and endlessly customizable.

Baby Bath Care Basket

If you’re looking for inexpensive yet practical baby shower gifts, a baby bath soap bundle is a great option. Even if your mom-to-be receive two or three of these sets, it will always be much appreciated and well-used.

I love the Aveeno bundle in particular. Not only is it the #1 pediatrician recommended brand, but their products are free of parabens and other chemicals that can irritate a baby’s skin. This set also includes products for both mom and baby, such as the baby  shampoo/soap, baby lotion, baby bath wash, and body wash and lotion for mom.

Baby Car Mirror

Mirrors have become an important accessory in family cars. These nifty, inexpensive inventions allow parents to check on their baby’s health and reassure them through a few well-timed silly faces. Right now, your mom-to-be probably hasn’t thought to put this item on her gift registry, but I can almost guarantee that she will want one later.

Ideally, you’ll want to find a backseat mirror that provides a clear, shatterproof reflection.

Fridababy Bitty Bundle of Joy

Frida is a baby health products brand that makes a rather unique product: the Frida Baby SnotSucker. In my experience, there is no other aspirator that clears up a newborn’s nose like the SnotSucker.

This giftset includes the SnotSucker as well as other essentials your mommy-to-be friend will need during her newborn’s first year of life. Some of these items include, the Windi gas passer, a set of nail clippers, and, for mom, a perineal washer (which will definitely not be on her baby registry, but she’ll definitely need).

Bottle Sterilizers

Bottle sterilizers are often overlooked because of the importance of other gift registry items. With that said, bottle sterilizers are downright luxurious tools that can save new moms tons of time.

Ideally, a bottle sterilizers will be able to sanitize bottles, pacifiers, teething toys, and nipples. Personally, I love this sterilizer because it serves as a bottle and food warmer as well.

Baby Detergent

This baby shower gift might not be glamorous, but your mom-to-be will thank you for it later.

From birth to about 12 months, a baby’s skin is incredibly sensitive. Regular laundry detergents contain chemicals that can irritate a baby’s skin, causing eczema and allergic reactions. Baby detergents, on the other hand, are free from these chemicals, often focusing on plant-based ingredients. However, new moms do a lot of laundry, making baby detergent quite expensive.

When searching for the right baby detergent, keep in mind that they should read hypoallergenic and high-efficiency washer capable. Personally, I loved the Dreft brand because they were affordable and gentle on my daughter’s skin.

Miracle Blanket

The Miracle Blanket is the swaddle to end all swaddles.

I, like so many other moms, ordered several traditional swaddle blankets. After several Youtube tutorials and failed attempts, I finally swaddled my baby…only to discover that she could break out of any swaddle I wrapped around her.

That’s when the the Miracle Blanket saved the day. Unlike regular blankets, the Miracle Blanket requires no fancy swaddling techniques and it’s basically Houdini Baby-proof.

Children’s Books

Research has shown that reading to babies and toddlers can give them a big jump start developmentally. Not only that, but books given by someone special often become lifelong keepsakes.

Here again, Incredibundles offers the coolest deal. You can either create a book bundle from scratch or choose from one of their premade, age-appropriate bundles. Here are just a few of my favorites:

• Baby’s 1st Books
• Bedtime Books Bundle
• Dr. Seuss Bundle

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Baby Rocker

Baby rockers are practical baby shower gifts that are completely necessary for a new mom’s survival.My mother-in-law purchased my first baby rocker. This rocker kept my baby safe and content while I cleaned, showered, cooked, and everything in between.

If you want to give your mom-to-be the gift of freedom, check out my post on automatic baby rockers. I’ve narrowed down your selection to only best models listed for the best prices.

RELATED POST: The Best Baby Rockers to Soothe Your Baby

Practical Baby Shower Gifts For Mom

With all the hype surrounding babies, it’s easy for most guests to overlook a new mom’s needs at a baby shower. In fact, many new moms forget their own needs. Luckily, you’re an awesome friend.

The gifts below are perfect baby showers gifts for mom only not baby. OVer the next few weeks, she’ll be so thankful you thought of her.  

Postpartum Belly Wrap

After months of constant tugging, a woman’s abdominal muscles are stretched to the max. A postpartum belly wrap helps pull those muscles back together and reduce her baby bump. When you’re searching for the perfect postpartum belly wrap, focus on a brand with great reviews that is breathable, comfortable, and applies proper support.

Nursing Cover

When baby asks for a treat during a social event, many women feel uncomfortable baring themselves in front of others. A good nursing cover will give your mommy friend the privacy she needs and baby a cozy environment to eat in.

There are several types of nursing covers you can purchase, such as a nursing apron, canopy/nursing scarf, or infinity scarf. My favorite by far was this nursing apron. It was breathable, inexpensive, and provided the most privacy.

Pregnancy Planner

Most pregnancy planners contain typical daily, weekly, or monthly calendars, as well as helpful organization sheets for pregnancy-related events.

My favorite pregnancy planner includes trimester checklists, provider questionnaires, birth plan templates, hospital and baby checklists, and so many more goodies. It’s a printable planner so I can print it anywhere, anytime, or use it digitally.  

Ideally a pregnancy planner will serve two functions: help new moms stay organized and capture her thoughts as her pregnancy continues. Once her baby is born, it will become a keepsake that she’ll never throw away.

Pregnancy Pillow

As a budget-conscious new mom, I thought that I could get away with clumping a few pillows together. Boy, was I wrong! If your mom-to-be hasn’t treated herself to this gift, she will really thank you for it later.

As her baby grows, she’ll struggle more and more with back pain and insomnia. A pregnancy pillow is an U or C-shaped body pillow that will support her back and alleviate some of that pressure.

Nursing Pillow

If you know that your mom-to-be will be nursing and a nursing pillow isn’t on her list, get her one. Without it, she will either hunch over or raise her baby to her breast, resulting in tired arms and an aching back.

A breastfeeding pillow curves around mom’s waist and raises baby to her breast, allowing her to nurse with great posture and convenience.

I’ve experimented with a few nursing pillows and the Boppy is, by far, my favorite. The pillow itself is firm yet comfortable. Plus, it offers the largest variety of cover patterns.

Baby Care Books

New moms need all the help they can get. From infant sleep to newborn care to mental development, baby care books can give her the knowledge and facts she needs to walk through early motherhood confidently.

The most helpful books I recommend are:

• The Wonder Weeks (Baby development and activities)
• On Becoming Babywise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep (Sleep and schedules)
• Secrets of a Baby Whisperer (Sleep and schedules)
• The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems (Sleep, schedules, and common baby/toddler struggles)
• The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
• The Happiest Baby on the Block

Postpartum Care Kit

Between the needs of her newborn and the trauma her own body has just experienced, the first 6 weeks postpartum are some of the most harrowing trials a new mom can experience. A postpartum care kit includes the essentials she will need to survive and thrive during this period (no pun intended).

To create a DIY postpartum care kit, you’ll need these materials:

• XL pads
• Maternity underwear
• Incontinence pad
• Perineal spray
• Epsom salt
• Breast pads
• Witchhazel pads
• A cute basket

Stroller Organizer

A stroller organizer alleviates the frustration of cramming all her baby essentials into whatever tiny compartment her stroller contains. It basically substitutes a diaper bag, containing her diapers, wipes, toys, breastfeeding supplies, drinks, and more.

RELATED POST: The Baby Charm Stroller Organizer Review

Breastfeeding Essentials Kit

Breastfeeding is difficult for any mom, new or experienced. To help your mom-to-be start off on the right foot, you can create a breastfeeding essentials kit. It’s so, so easy to do! The key ingredients are:

• Breast Pads
• Mother’s Milk Tea
• Water Bottle
• Burp Cloths
• Nipple Butter
• Heating Pads
• Water Bottle

Online Pregnancy Class

Many new moms (and experienced moms) fear childbirth. Childbirth classes educate moms-to-be on what to expect from their bodies and how to more efficiently cope with the rigors of labor.

Unfortunately, prenatal classes are usually not covered under most insurance plans, making it a hefty, if not daunting expense for mom.

If your mom-to-be is nervous about birth and hasn’t signed up for a childbirth class, consider gifting her with an online prenatal class. Depending on her needs and your budget, there are several high-quality prenatal courses that can help her go into labor with confidence.

RELATED POST: The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy Classes: What to Take and When

Still Need More Ideas for Unique Baby Shower Gifts?

Your mommy-to-be friend is lucky to have someone that cares enough to buy practical baby shower gifts. Hopefully by now you feel confident that whichever of the gifts above you choose, she will love it for months, even years, to come.

However, if you’re still looking for ideas, feel free to browse around the blog. We have plenty of posts that go over the most essential products for mom.

In the meantime, if this post helped you make your decision, I would love to hear from you. In fact, I’d love to know what you got your mom-to-be friend. Let me know in the comments below!

Good luck!
RELATED POSTS:

• 10 “Non-Essential” Baby Must-Haves You Definitely Need in Your Life
• 17 Legitimate Pregnancy Freebies You’ll Actually Use
• The Best Infant Car Seats on a Budget

So, this is it. The doctor confirmed it and you. are. pregnant. How do you feel? Excited? Maybe a little overwhelmed?  

If you’re anything like me, early pregnancy kind of feels like you’ve been thrown in the middle of an ocean with only a floatie to get you to shore. You know the general direction you’re headed, but how to get there…totally lost.

So, let’s tackle one of the burning questions that is on your mind right now: What do I buy for the first trimester?

Luckily for you, there’s not a lot. You have several months to save up for cribs, clothes, and diapers. For the next few weeks, your main priority is laying back and dealing with all of these strange early pregnancy symptoms you’re experiencing.

Below you’ll find my first trimester must haves. These items will fight your early pregnancy symptoms, keep you sane, and help you and your baby enjoy a healthy pregnancy.

Sound good? Let’s get started!

RELATED POSTS:

• THE ULTIMATE FIRST TRIMESTER CHECKLIST
• FIRST TRIMESTER CRAMPS: WHAT’S NORMAL AND WHEN TO WORRY
• COMMON AND WEIRD VERY EARLY PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS YOU MIGHT EXPERIENCE BEFORE A MISSED PERIOD

First Trimester Must Haves: 15 Pregnancy Essentials You Don’t Want to Miss

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.

If you’re a millennial that somehow, someway hasn’t become intimately acquainted with Amazon Prime yet, now is the time. I purchased most the of the first trimester must haves in this post from Amazon, simply because the box stores just can’t compete with the prices.

If you’ve been on the fence about joining Amazon Prime, you can access a free 30 day trial here. I also highly recommend creating your Baby Registry on Amazon as well. Once your baby shower is completed, you’ll receive up to a 15% discount on all of the items left on the registry, plus you’ll receive a welcome box with tons of free baby stuff.

RELATED POST: 17 Legitimate Pregnancy Freebies You’ll Actually Use

1 A Good Prenatal Vitamin With Or Without DHA

On the off-chance that your doctor hasn’t already told you this, you will need to take a prenatal vitamin for the duration of your pregnancy.

A prenatal vitamin supplements your growing baby with whatever nutrients you may not be obtaining from your diet. Studies have found that taking a prenatal vitamin can help prevent your baby from developing disorders, such as neural tube defects. Plus, a prenatal vitamin will keep you in tip-top shape as well.

There’s been some debate as to whether you should take prenatal vitamins with or without DHA. DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid; it’s an Omega 3 fatty acid that has been shown to improve fetal development and decrease the chances of your baby developing neural and mental disabilities.

But, like anything else, too much of a good thing can be bad. Make sure you speak to your provider about which vitamin is appropriate for your personal health conditions.

If you’re looking for recommendations, I love the Rainbow Light Prenatal vitamin. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and the only vitamin to withstand my nausea (barely). The particular one I used did not have DHA, but Rainbow Light does sell a DHA-Prenatal One combo pack.

2 Pregnancy Course or Books

During my first trimester, I was so overwhelmed. As excited as I felt, there was just so much I didn’t know. I mean, I knew the basics (don’t smoke, drink, or eat raw eggs), but what did I do next?

If you’re really wrestling with the big unknowns of pregnancy, I highly recommend investing in some reputable resources. Below are just a couple of my favorite books that can educate you on the important facts of pregnancy.

You’ll also see a pregnancy course listed below as well. Most experts don’t recommend enrolling in a childbirth class until the end of the second trimester/beginning of the third.

Having said that, the Mama Natural Birth Course is the one pregnancy class I would recommend taking now simply because it contains so many helpful tips on how to begin your natural pregnancy right from the start. Plus, later in your pregnancy, you can explore the vast information it contains on how to have an unmedicated childbirth.

Helpful Pregnancy Books

• Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Waiting in Wonder: Growing in Faith While You’re Expecting (Pregnancy Devotional)
• What to Expect When You’re Expecting
• Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
• Real Food for Pregnancy

The Best Online Class for a Natural Pregnancy

• Mama Natural Birth Course (An online course that teaches how to have the best natural pregnancy and childbirth)

RELATED POSTS: The Mama Natural Birth Course Review

PIN THIS POST FOR LATER

3 Big ol’ Tumbler

Have you already had “the talk”? You know, the one your doctor gives you when he takes you aside and says, “Hey, I need you to drink TEN glasses of water a day.”

Yes, it’s true, and no, he’s not talking about a combination of coffee, juice, and tea.

Water is your strongest defense against morning sickness, pregnancy cramps, and premature labor. It’s also the main expressway for nutrients to reach your baby. And (just in case you need more convincing), it’s an excellent preventative against stretchmarks.

Even so, when my midwife quoted me that number, I just about passed out. Prior to pregnancy I literally survived on sweet tea and coffee. I tried to drink the required amount by keeping a water bottle with me at all times. I think I only managed to get in about 32 ounces in a day (I’m also the poster-child for pregnancy cramps, dizziness, and braxton hicks… all signs of dehydration).

It wasn’t until I started breastfeeding that I discovered this neat trick: buy at least a 30z tumbler with a straw.

The tumbler serves a dual purpose: it reduces the number of water bottles you carry around with you and, when combined with a straw, allows you to ingest less air and more water.

4 Caffeine Substitutes

On the topic of liquids, if you’re used to consuming gratuitous amounts of caffeine, you might want to take it down a notch. Most providers suggest reducing your caffeine intake to about 200mg a day or at the absolute maximum 300 mg.

Aside from the major concerns, like a miscarriage or birth defects, there are several reasons to cut down on the caffeine when you’re pregnant. You’ll find that drinking excessive amounts of caffeine can cause insomnia, exasperate heartburn, and produce acids that irritate your stomach.

If you’re like me and still need that little kick in the morning (or afternoon), don’t worry, you still have options.

• Mommee Coffee I love this product because it’s low acid and you can choice how much caffeine you want in each cup. They sell decaf, ¼ and 1/2 caffeine, and full. Plus, beans are organic!
• Peppermint Tea (Make sure you consult your doctor before taking any herbal teas) – Peppermint stimulates you without the caffeine. Plus, it’s an excellent remedy for morning sickness.
• Decaf Coffee
• Chai Lattes Low on caffeine, high in sugar. (My obsession is Big Train Vanilla Chai Lattes…)

5 Morning Sickness Remedies

Even if you’re not prone to morning sickness now, there’s a good chance it’ll hit sometime within the next few weeks. Most morning sickness remedies are pretty inexpensive, so try to stock up on a couple of these first trimester must haves before the occasion arises.

• Tummy drops
• Saltines
• Ginger ale (if you don’t like carbonation, there are several natural ginger tea is a good natural alternative).
• Water
• Peppermint tea
• Acupressure Band

7 Rubber Band

First, let’s talk about what you’re not going to see on this list: a waist-extender! You’ve probably seen these on Amazon or other first trimester must haves posts. Waistband extenders can be handy, but if you can get away with free, then why not?

Cheap and effective, a rubber band can be your ticket to prolonging the use of your non-maternity pants.

To start, loop the rubber band through your button hole so both ends are perpendicular to your body. Loop one end of the rubber band through itself. Then, twist the remaining end of the rubber band around your jean’s button.

Voila! Instant waist extender!

8 Bra Without Underwire

If there was one first trimester must have I regret not getting sooner, it was a wireless bra.

The next few weeks might be a little rough. Your breasts and nipples will probably feel sore as they prepare for the task of nourishing your baby. Even if it’s just temporary, there’s nothing wrong with trading a supported bra for wireless.

If you want to kill two birds with one stone and purchase a maternity bra now, then go for it. There are a couple good maternity bras on Amazon, but in my experience (unless you have small breasts or a big wallet) it can be difficult to find a good, supportive maternity bra without an underwire.

If you do take the regular bra route, I found my favorite non-maternity bra at Victoria’s Secret. I love the support and I still wear it today!

9 Pregnancy Pillow

A pregnancy pillow is essentially a body pillow with a few more curves. It wraps around your back, neck, and legs to improve your posture, relieve pressure from your back, torso, breasts, and inferior vena cava.

Most of that comes into play towards the end of your second trimester, but in my humble opinion, it’s never too early to use a pregnancy pillow. If you’re struggling with back pain, indigestion, digestion issues, or insomnia, a good pregnancy pillow may be just what you need.

You can spend upwards of $100 on a pregnancy pillow, depending on the shape, and materials. Honestly, I spent about half that and was completely satisfied with mine.

10 Coconut oil

Coconut oil is another multipurpose, inexpensive first trimester must have that you’ll use throughout pregnancy and beyond. You can use coconut oil for baby’s cradle cap, your postpartum hair loss, breastfeeding pain relief and hemorrhoids. Ah, yes.

Coconut oil is particularly known for its effectiveness in the prevention of stretch marks.

Over the next few months, your body will be rapidly expanding and stretching. Coconut oil keeps your skin hydrated, increasing its elasticity. Even now, in the first trimester, you can start rubbing the areas that will be prone to stretch marks, such as your stomach, hips, butt, and thighs.

11 Leggings

Calling leggings a pregnancy must have is kind of a misnomer. It’s basically a motherhood essential. You will use leggings throughout your entire pregnancy, your postpartum period, and (let’s be honest), most of your early motherhood days.

Leggings are way cheaper than maternity pants and, depending on which brand you purchase, they can ease some of that pressure from your growing baby bump.

12 Phone App

Downloading a pregnancy app is totally free (most of the time) and can easily become one of the funnest parts of pregnancy. Typically, pregnancy apps will give you a weekly update on your baby’s development, as well as time-appropriate topics to consider. For example, at 20 weeks your app will let you know that your baby is the size of an apple and remind you to go to your anatomy scan.

I downloaded two apps during my pregnancy, the Ovia Baby App and Babycenter App. Post-pregnancy, I discovered the Mama Natural Week-by-Week email updates, which offers a similar service, but with a natural-oriented spin.

13 Probiotics

During pregnancy, your immune system might take a nose dive. Scientists aren’t 100% sure about the cause for this, but many believe that it’s to protect your body from rejecting your baby’s developing cells.

In any event, there’s a good chance you’ll become more susceptible to common cold or flu.

To prevent the perpetual sniffles is your prenatal vitamin and probiotics. Basically, probiotics are composed of “good” bacteria that help get rid of the “bad bacteria”. In addition, probiotics helps you maintain a healthy gut, which can eliminate other early pregnancy symptoms like diarrhea and heartburn.

You can consume probiotics naturally by eating yogurt, kimchi, or sauerkraut, or you can take a probiotic supplement.

13 Daily and Weekly Planner

Is your mental state a little bit foggy?

Pregnancy brain, or momnesia, is an actual phenomenon that occurs in many women. During pregnancy, your body produces excessive amounts of estrogen and progesterone that can affect your spatial memory capabilities. In other words, you might forget the small things like your doctor’s appointment, a new acquaintances name, or where you set down the milk.

If you’ve got the mom brain, it’s time to purchase a planner to help you organize your thoughts! Using a planner is a useful habit to curate, especially postpartum when things get really busy.

14 Healthy Snacks

During the first trimester, you’ll only need to consume about 1800 calories. While this isn’t exactly eating for two, your body can tell you otherwise.

Fill your stomach with healthy, low-calorie foods (as opposed to Grandma’s cookies or glutinous quantities of ice cream like I did). The type of snacks you choose will depend on your individual health concerns, but most pregnant women benefit from leafy greens (like spinach), bananas, kiwi, avocados, nuts and seeds, chicken eggs, grapes, broccoli…you get the idea.

My go-tos were homemade energy bites, yogurt, and smoothies.

15 Rolaids or Zantac

If you’re struggling with acid reflux, you’ll want to keep these first trimester must haves in your bag.

All of the progesterone running through your body relaxes your muscles, preparing your uterus for your developing baby. Unfortunately, it also relaxes the flap between your esophagus and stomach acids.

Rolaids were a godsend for my pregnancy. I simply popped one in about a half-hour before I ate. For those extra difficult days, I took Zantac. Zantac is a class B drug, which means its safe for pregnancy use.

However, any pharmaceuticals probably shouldn’t be your first option. You can prevent heartburn by eating smaller quantities avoiding greasy or spicy foods, and eating meals earlier in the day. If you’re already in the middle of a heartburn episode, lemon water, apple cider vinegar, and peppermint are all great natural remedies as well.

You Have Your First Trimester Must Haves…Now What?

Once you’ve gathered your first trimester must haves, you should really bunker down on what you need to accomplish before the second trimester.

Not entirely sure what that is? Check out my First Trimester Checklist post. It highlights all of the first trimester necessities you’ll need to accomplish!

The first trimester is tough, but hopefully these first trimester pregnancy favorites will help you just as much as they helped me. Just remember, your main priority is taking it easy and letting your body do it’s thing. You will have plenty of strength in the coming months to perform all of your nesting duties.

I hope this post helped. If it did, would you consider taking my quick 1 minute survey? It will give your struggles as a new mom a voice and help me know how to best serve you!

Would you believe that some women don’t even get a positive pregnancy test until they’re 8 weeks along?

Sometimes pregnancy is downright confusing, especially when you’re losing your mind trying to figure out where all of your sudden, weird afflictions are coming from.

In this post, we’re going over the most common and weird very early pregnancy symptoms that could appear before a missed period. Just to give you a little extra insight, we’re also including some epic, strange early pregnancy stories by our favorite mom bloggers.

Are you ready? Let’s dive into the crazy world of pregnancy symptoms!

RELATED POSTS:

• First Trimester Checklist: The To Do List Every New Mom Needs
• First Trimester Cramping: Causes, Remedies, and When to Worry
• The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy Classes: What to Take and When

20 Common and Weird Very Early Pregnancy Symptoms You Need to Know About

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or give out any professional advice for any medical conditions.

Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Implantation Bleeding and Cramps

Just in case you weren’t already second-guessing things, you might experience some period-like spotting and cramps right before you get a positive pregnancy test.

Implantation occurs a few days before your menstrual cycle begins. Your fertilized egg will travel down your fallopian tube and burrow into your uterus. The bleeding and cramps are a  side-effect from the drop in progesterone caused by the event.

I’ve always had irregular periods due to my PCOS so our baby was definitely a surprise! Looking back at it now, I had ALL the symptoms but simply confused them with pms. I had sore breasts, fatigue, cramping etc. It wasn’t until after my first doctors appointment, after finding out that I was pregnant, that the nausea kicked in. I had nausea every day at various times, not just in the morning. It was tough! I had to quit my job because it was so bad. Certain perfumes from my pregnancy days still make me nauseous when I smell them.

Melissa M. | The Dulcet Mama

RELATED POST: First Trimester Cramps: Causes, Remedies, and When to Worry

Nausea

Feeling nauseous for no good reason? This is another clue that you could be carrying a little one!

While the exact correlation between pregnancy and nausea still hasn’t been confirmed, many researchers believe the culprit is a rise in HCG levels (or the pregnancy hormones). Most moms don’t experience nausea until about 6 weeks into gestation, however, many of the mamas on this list report it as one of their first symptoms!

When I found out I was pregnant I was thrilled but morning sickness soon kicked in at six weeks. I constantly felt like I was on a boat! It slowly got worse and I developed migraines and dizzy spells. At our 8 week scan we found out why… we were having twins! I had double the hormones floating around in there. Later on in the pregnancy I developed pre-eclampsia and SPD! The twins ended up being delivered at 36 weeks, still pretty good for twins after everything!

Rebecca | Living with Peas

Fatigue and Exhaustion

From the moment of conception, your body will produce progesterone like crazy. One of the most common side-effects of this hormone is exhaustion.

During my pregnancy, this was a dead-giveaway. The day before I tested positive, I slept a good 14 hours!

“I remember I started falling asleep on the couch in the middle of the day, even while watching my 3 year old. I was so tired I couldn’t help it! I took a pregnancy test and it came back negative. It wasn’t until another 5 days of pure exhaustion that my pregnancy test came back positive. I was about 4 weeks along when I got the positive test.”

Samantha  | Journey to SAHM

Bloating and Weight Gain

Your baby might be the size of a mustard seed right now, but that doesn’t stop your body from announcing your pregnancy to the world!

No joke, I gained 5lbs the first week I was pregnant and grew a baby bump basically the first month of pregnancy! If you’re in the same spot, try a warm (not hot) Epsom salt bath and drink plenty of liquids.

SHORT ON TIME? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER

Breast Changes

Your pre-teen growing pains ain’t got nothing on this. Breast tenderness is a wildly common sign of pregnancy. If you’re used to breast pain during your regular cycle and having trouble differentiating, keep an eye out for these other changes:

• Immediate breast-size increase (due to water retention)
• Darkening nipples and areolas
• Feeling of heaviness
• Leaking

I knew that something was up around 2-3 weeks. My boobs were larger and more sore than they ever were during my pregnancy. The areolas were also much darker and larger than before. I just knew had this feeling and I just knew that I was pregnant. I took a test the day after I missed my period, and sure enough, it came back positive. I believe I was only 4, maybe 5 weeks along at that point.

Mallory Herrera | Mama on Parade

My very first symptom in pregnancy, the one that scream’d “I think I’m Pregnant!” was tender breast! I had never experienced anything like that, even on my period. It happened within days of conception and I’m pretty sure it was the very first symptom I had with each of my pregnancies.

Stormy Stevenson | Pregnant Mama Baby Life

Unusual or Weird Very Early Pregnancy Symptoms

So, let’s say that you’re not experiencing the common stuff yet, but your gut is still telling you that something is just off.

You’re not alone! In fact, below are some strange early pregnancy symptoms stories and other unusual early pregnancy symptoms you should probably be familiar with.

Mood Swings

Pregnancy mood swings are odd. During my own pregnancy, I was incredibly giddy some days and overly whiney others. If you’re starting to notice odd mood changes that don’t typically correlate with your usual cycle, it might be time to whip out the pregnancy test.

My symptom was unnecessary rage that came out of no where. My husband bought the wrong cottage cheese and I literally saw red. I couldn’t believe he could have made such a mistake! I was so angry I had to leave the room so I wouldn’t just berate him. Once I calmed down and realized how stupid it was to be mad over cottage cheese it dawned on me that just maybe I was pregnant. Yep, I was expecting my twins.

Kim | Team Cartwright

Headaches and Migraines

Do you have a strange headache that won’t go away? This can actually be an unusual pregnancy symptom as well. Typically, early pregnancy headaches are caused by the sudden increase in blood flow, dehydration, or progesterone.

Heightened Smell

Are you ready for your new superpower?  Some moms report a heightened sense of smell as one of their first pregnancy symptoms. Be careful though, this can be a blessing and a curse, especially if you develop food aversions!

I woke up, rolled over and asked my husband who was having a bonfire at 7am. He asked me what I was talking about. “I smell wood… like a bonfire… like camping..” I sniffed around the room and realized it was large my antique dresser I was smelling. I knew immediately and went to take a pregnancy test. I can smell EVERYTHING when I’m pregnant.

Megan | Going Crunchy Not Crazy

Bleeding Gums

Many pregnant mamas fight sore and bleeding gums throughout their pregnancy. Once again, hormones and increased blood flow are the cause of this ailment, making the gums more susceptible to gingivitis.

Most women don’t experience pregnancy gingivitis until the second trimester, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll notice it the first week of pregnancy!

Cold and Flu Symptoms

A rite of motherhood is the endless cycle of seasonal bugs. In that aspect, pregnancy is the perfect trial by fire.When you’re pregnant, your immune system takes a nosedive, making you much more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections (which is why it’s absolutely essential that you start taking a prenatal multivitamin now).

For some moms, getting sick is actually a weird very early pregnancy symptom.

I suddenly came down with horrible diarrhea. I got so dehydrated I ended up in the ER. I got a negative pregnancy the week before so when they asked if I could be pregnant I said, “probably not, but I guess it’s possible.” They did some tests including a pregnancy test. Pregnancy test came back positive and so did the parasite cryptosporidium. Apparently when I got pregnant my immune system tanked and allowed the dormant parasite to activate. Therefore, the parasite was my sign of pregnancy!

Siraya Gloudemans | Stay at Home ZooKeeper

Change in Body Temperature

If you’ve been trying to conceive, you’re probably already familiar with basal temperature. A high basal temperature, or resting temperature, earlier in your cycle indicates ovulation. As your cycle progresses and you pass the ovulation phase, your basal temperature lowers.

That is, unless you’re pregnant.

If you’re waking in the middle of the night feeling a little hot or if your basal temperature hasn’t lowered, pregnancy might be the cause.

Digestive Issues – Diarrhea, Constipation, and Gas

Your bowels and bladder might take a hit during pregnancy, even at this stage. Some moms experience constipation, while others have the worst case of upset stomach and diarrhea ever.

My earliest pregnancy symptom was an upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, and once or twice I even vomited! My husband and I were on our honeymoon in the Dominican Republic, and I just chalked it up to a travel bug, without really digging much deeper into it. On the tour bus though I had to actually stop the bus, and get off to vomit on the side of the road. Everyone at our hotel, and even the bus driver kept saying “It must be a baby!” We laughed it off at the time…but they were all right. I guess after the second person said something I should have started to believe it.

Simone Clement | Simone Clement

Heartburn

Are certain foods haunting you at night? Do you feel a burning sensation behind your breastbone after a big meal?

If you’re all of a sudden having heartburn issues, you might be experiencing another weird very early pregnancy symptom. Once again, progesterone is the villain in this scenario. Progesterone relaxes your uterus, allowing your baby to grow over time. However, many other muscles begin to relax as well, namely the valve separating your stomach acid from your esophagus.

If you’re experiencing this early sign of pregnancy, there’s good news: there are several natural remedies you can use to relieve symptoms. I especially love the apple cider vinegar tip from Mama Natural.

On that note, when you’re ready to take a childbirth class, I highly recommend the Mama Natural Birth Course. It’s hands-down, the best pregnancy resource for natural-minded mamas!

RELATED POST: The Mama Natural Birth Course Review

Weird Food Cravings and Aversions

Food cravings and aversions are definitely staples of pregnancy, but did you know that it can actually be one of the first indicators?

That was certainly the case for me. Right away, I had the insatiable need for red meat! This need continued for a good two weeks, until it changed to Mexican food.

My first pregnancy I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I was just after six weeks. I have longer cycles so for me this was about a week late. I really didn’t think I was pregnant when I took the test, but in hindsight there were a few early pregnancy symptoms. The most obvious was that my eating habits changed. One day I really wanted sweet potatoes fries for lunch at work, another day I couldn’t bring myself to eat anything for lunch except carrots covered in ranch…and usually I don’t like ranch.

McKinzie Bean | Today Mommy

Frequent Urination

Frequent urination is sort of an unheard early pregnancy symptom, but it’s actually pretty common. It’s caused by a couple factors, but mostly the HCG hormone increasing blood flow to your pelvis.

Acne

Just like PMSing, the dramatic change in hormones can cause skin ailments. Even if you weren’t prone to acne prior to pregnancy, you might experience it now. Often times, that “glowing” look pregnant women have is actually sweat and excess oil. (#sadbuttrue)

There were two that stood out to me: all day sneezing, and sudden acne all over my scalp and the back of my neck. I remember washing my hair with medicated dog shampoo to try and get rid of the acne! (Clearly desperate!)

Jamie @ Growing Into Momhood

Strange or White Discharge

White discharge in early pregnancy is actually pretty common, but most moms still think of it as an unusual early pregnancy symptom. Probably because it is never talked about.

The technical term for white discharge is leukorrhea. Typically, it’s a little milky with a mild odor. You’ve probably seen it during the ovulation phase of your cycle, but sometimes women notice a dramatic increase in it during the early days of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Brain

The news is out! Pregnancy brain is real and it’s here to stay. For some moms, the brain fog descends almost immediately, once their bodies start to produce the pregnancy hormones. So, don’t worry. You’re not going crazy, but you might be pregnant. 😉

Breastmilk Changes

If you’re a breastfeeding mom and your baby is suddenly rejecting your milk, it could be more than just teething. Some breastfeeding moms notice a distinct change in the taste of their milk as well as their production.

Insomnia

Fatigue tends to get the spotlight, but many women experience insomnia as well.

Hormonal changes can cause insomnia directly, but more than likely it’s a result of your other pregnancy symptoms, such as discomfort, hot flashes, or increased need to pee.

For me, the insomnia seemed to stem from my sudden heartburn symptoms and bloating. If your insomnia continues, do yourself a favor and get yourself a pregnancy pillow. A pregnancy pillow is worth its weight in gold. It’ll your improve comfort, posture, and digestive processes (by helping you sleep on your left side).

Back to You: What Are Your Weird Very Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

So, what do you think? Are you experiencing common or weird very early pregnancy symptoms? What about the strange early pregnancy stories? Anything hit close to home?

The good news is, most of these symptoms occur right before or while pregnancy is detectable. So, if you haven’t taken a pregnancy test yet, now is the time.

I hope this post gave you a little affirmation that you’re not going crazy. Pregnancy is a total rollercoaster and a completely individualized experience. If it turns out that you’re pregnant, I hope you’ll come back and visit me. I have tons of resources I’d like to share with you to help you with your journey through early motherhood.

In the meantime, I would love to hear from you. Please let me know in the comments below!