Pregnancy is an exciting period in a woman’s life that brings many challenges and joys. It may seem like it’ll never end but, at the same time, it can feel as if it went by in a flash. As you get ready to welcome your baby into the world, the one thing you should definitely do is create a few precious pregnancy keepsakes that will keep you connected to that special period in your life.
Whether it's a photographic record of your pregnancy progress, a journal of your emotions and thoughts, a box of mementoes or a music mix tape of your favourite tunes during the pregnancy, these keepsake items will take you back through each mum-to-be milestone and let you share them with your child someday.
If you’re stuck on pregnancy keepsake ideas, we list some great and practical creations to cater to every budget and taste.
The Pregnancy Test:
Holding on to the plastic stick of your pregnancy test may sound off-putting at first, but many women decide to keep it as a very important memento given it’s the first solid proof of their pregnancy, especially if it has been a long awaited pregnancy.
Photo Diary:
Keeping a photo diary of your pregnancy from about week 12 is a great way to document the entire pregnancy. You can get a professional to snap your preggie photo or your significant other can do it as well on a weekly basis. Once your child is born, you can flip through the pictures of your blooming bump all the way to the day that the baby is born.
3D/4D Scans:
One moment no parent ever forgets is the first time they saw their baby on the monitor. Throughout your pregnancy you get scans; however the most popular scans to keep and the ones that are the most memorable are at 12 and 20 weeks (first time you see the baby and first time you get to see features forming). In addition to the plain 2D picture, you can also get 3D or even fancier 4D images. Such a package will be your keepsake forever!
Heartbeat Teddy Bear:
Another great pregnancy experience is hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. That’s when it all becomes very real and is a deeply emotional moment every mother who cherishes this moment forever. One way to hold on to that lovely sound long after your doctor’s appointment has ended is to get a heartbeat teddy bear. This little soft toy will hold a recording of your baby's heartbeat which you can hear by squeezing the heart-shaped recorder. It will then be captured in the form of a precious recording for you to enjoy any time you wish.
When you get home, place the heart recorder into your heartbeat soft animal toy and with every squeeze, you’ll hear the baby's heart. With a wide choice of animals to choose from, everyone will enjoy a cuddle, from you to your baby and their siblings.
Bump Art & Cast:
A great addition to your pregnancy photo diary can be by arranging for an artistic photoshoot – emblaze your baby bump in amazing body art! Lots of artists out there will be happy to do you the service of painting your bump-art vision on your belly.
Another way to go is to create a life-sized reminder of your gorgeous belly by having a bump cast made. You get the kit online that also include a choice of colours to help you create a true masterpiece!
Letters to the Baby:
Writing a journal for yourself can be a very cathartic experience but writing one to your unborn child takes the emotional content to a whole new level. Selecting a special kit to write letters to your baby will entice and encourage you to share your thoughts and emotions with your baby so when they grow up one day, they’ll have a loving and lasting memory.
Mix Tape:
If you love listening to music and you play it often to soothe your thoughts, compile the ones you played the most during your pregnancy and make a mix tape. Music is very powerful in evoking vivid memories so you can certainly count on going down the memory lane back to your pregnancy every time you listen to them. Also, as your baby grows, you’ll be able to share these tunes with them and let them know what kind of music they were listening while being in your tummy.
Box of Mementoes:
If you like to keep things neat, tidy and in one place, compiling a box of mementoes together can also be a great idea for a pregnancy keepsake. Fill your special box with all of the above – the pregnancy tests, scan pics, photographs, letters, mix tapes and more. Once your baby is born, throw in their hospital name band, their first clothes and a record of their earliest milestones. Such a box will become a true treasure chest once they grow up!
There are many ways to save the beautiful memories of your pregnancy and keep them for you and your child to enjoy. As years go by and your child grows, you’ll both appreciate those special keepsakes that will instantly teleport you back to the time your babies were still inside your tummy.