Just found out you are pregnant! What would be your perfect gift?

[Kezzybear56]

One of my friends has just found out she is pregnant.
She's still trying to get her head round it all. As she is overcome with emotion. Happy, overjoyed, nervous along with the eternal questions, would she make a good mum etc. (Personally I think she would be incredible as she is so warm, so considerate, so thoughtful.)

My question is - What if anything could I get her as a gift? I know the pregnancy is new, so obviously this has to be thoughtful. As I know, up until the 12 weeks scan can be a nervy time. So the gift I want to give, is something that will be supportive and thoughtful. Nothing too full on.

I'm at a loss as what to get her. So I thought I'd put it out into the mums community. As having never experienced pregnancy, I don't know. But I'd like to get her something useful. So...

If you'd just been told by your doctor you were pregnant -

What gift would you want?
What would make you feel loved and supported without feeling pressured?
Is it a gift that you could use throughout your pregnancy?
Or would it be a gift to give you a day to day lift?
Or is it a gift to start you enjoying the pregnancy?

I really don't know. Can anyone help? :)

I didn't expect a gift when I told my best mate I'm pregnant, didn't really need one to be honest. But it's lovely that you want to tiger them something. But I'm at a loss as to what to get her!

Thanks for getting back to me. Is a gift the right thing, I don't know. It sounds a bit over dramatic, I just wanted something to say I'm here for you and thinking of you all. (In a understated way.)

I think a gift would be particularly tricky.

How about taking her out for lunch/afternoon tea and telling her you're excited and there for her and then genuinely BE there for her. Far more valuable than a trinket

I'm 6 weeks along, so I'm probably your target audience, so to speak.

I wouldn't really want a gift as such (though I'm struggling to eat, so if someone came along with the one specific thing I was able to stomach at that moment, that would be great - it's currently Ritz crackers and guacamole ).

Something small like a few posh non-caffeinated teas or cordials would be nice, I think.

I'm going to be popping by once a week to do catch ups and coffee. As she's great fun. I was just trying to think how else I might help. But I take your point. Trinkets never replace human connection. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Then perhaps some anti nausea lozenges if you can get some?

A pack of ginger biscuits and some decaf tea for you both to share?

Or even perhaps a little pamper basket with nice things like a face mask, lip balm, moisturiser etc as pregnancy can have an effect on the skin and she'll probably need something nice to make her feel a bit more human x

EssentialHummus

Ritz crackers and guacamole are my favourite. So that idea would be dangerous. As I'd be eyeing them up and not listening to my friend. But the posh non-caffeinated teas sound good. (So can't mums have caffeine during pregnancy? As I've said, never been pregnant , am I bit naive to does, don'ts, should, shouldn't.) But I'm grateful for you taking the time too share.

6 weeks along. How's it all going? Are you excited? Is it your first? You've got me craving crackers now hahaha!

Ginger biscuits, lovely pregnancy body cream or a cinema voucher. If she's anything like me, she'll live in the cinema while she's pregnant for a booze free way to socialise!

Mungobungo
Thank you so much for the suggestion. De caffeinated tea stuff would be great.As she was a bit of a caffeine head.( Aren't we all.)

I love the idea of a pamper basket. If as you say 'it will make her feel a little more human'. As I can only imagine the rollercoaster of emotions she will be going through. But it is all very exciting.

As I say, thank you for sharing. I will fess up to my mate and say the ideas didn't come from me. I'm sure she'd guess anyhow.

MoreBushThanMoss. With so many great films on at the moment, I'd be tempted to stay in the cinema with her. We could put our feet up, wear elasticated pants and watch Fabulous Beast, La La Land and Star Wars whilst munching on ginger biscuits and gulping down de-caff tea. Great idea.
Did it keep your mind off the booze?

kezzy

Don't tell mumsnet (who often don't approve) but did have a glass of red twice a week, from 16 weeks. and went to the cinema.

It was a great way To hang out with my friends with no kids who still go clubbing before I totally fell down the baby rabbit hole for a bit.

Should NOT have gone to see Room however when I was 4 months pg

I can't speak for anyone else, but I feel generally fine, interspersed with bouts of nausea. I haven't mentally connected the fact that I'm pregnant with the idea that there'll be a new little person around soon.

Yy to limiting caffeine- I think you're allowed about a cup a day, maybe two? Teapigs do lovely caffeine-free teas in different flavours (including a chocolate one!) so that may be something to try.

I would have loved the Decaf tea, ginger biscuits and cinema voucher ideas - very thoughtful

A nice cake & cuppa tea in a nice tea shop. (I chugged caffeine in pregnancy, it was great, but can be caffeine-free)

For me another kind of gift would be silly. Baby is not real & safe until you get home ok from hospital with healthy baby.

Nothing! Noone needs a pg gift. Fgs don't buy anything for the baby!!

In all honesty the best thing my mates done for me is give me time and a listening ear, when I just needed a cry or a laugh, my anxiety has been through the roof and her support has been invaluable.
So just keep being a cracking mate really ☺

MoreBushthan Moss - Glass of wine and cinema sounds good. Always great to catch up with the girls. Personally I'd fall fast asleep given half a comfy chair and a glass of wine. Especially cinema seats nowadays.

EssentialHummus - Teapigs are those cute bags in the fancy packaging. Didn't realise they do de caff. off to buy some. Especially if there is a chocolate option. Yes please.

It must be strange being pregnant. As I can't imagine at what point does it become real. I guess its a different experience for each and everyone of us. But the idea, that we as humans can create life (which seems so normal) seems utterly extraordinary.

Firawla - I'm with you with decaf tea pigs and ginger biscuits, plus cinema.
Now..............what to watch.

lljkik - thanks for your comment. Baby and mum safe and home is of course so so important. So totally get your point. I was just curious as I'm not a mum too see if I could do anymore to help. (As I'm so excited for my friend.)

DamsonGinismything - Sounds like you've a great bunch of mates. I think I'll try and play it by ear. Be like your mates, around to share and support. But also keep an ear out if my mate needs an emergency Teapig or trip to the cinema. Thank you all for your feedback.
It is unnerving coming on hear, not knowing the kind of reaction I may get. As I'm not even pregnant. But I'm just trying to play my small part. With being supportive without being to annoying or overbearing.

My work friends got me some 'mum to be' toileteries. There was cooling foot gel in there - total life saver!

My sister brought me some stretch mark cream and some pregnancy vitamins. I havnt forgotten that gesture many years later however it's quite a personal thing.

What a lovely idea to treat your friend Kezzy!

I personally would prefer something not specifically pregnancy related until 12 weeks... this comes with the hindsight of having losses... in my first I got really excited even stocking up on vits, creams but having that around made it difficult after.

Having said that I'm certainly not trying to put any worries into you! Just offering my perspective!

However what I would have appreciated as a treat would be a supply of nice non alch drinks/cordials, posh snack bars, flowers or as others have said a nice relaxed trip out with you to celebrate! And then something more preg related as a suprise on 12/20 week scan

... Having said that I wouldn't have expected anything... all presents are always a suprise and greatly appreciated.