Is there anything you wish a friend would have done for you without having to ask?

[MonacoMonaco]

Hi ladies and gents!

The title says it all really.

A friend has recently discovered she is pregnant, I am absolutely over the moon for them both! I just wondered if there's anything, during your pregnancy, which you'd wish a friend would have done for you without asking them? Or anything I could prepare for her? I am already buying little bits and bots without telling her as I don't want to put any pressure on them but am trying to plan/help as much as I can!

Thanks in advance.

PS: I'm a guy if that helps and I don't have any children myself.

I don't really have anything to suggest but just wanted to say that's so lovely and thoughtful of you!
My friend was so excited for me when I found out I was pregnant and she has been so sweet she downloaded an app which tells you how big the baby is each week by size of fruit, animal or sweet, and each week she buys me either the fruit or sweet of what size it is that week!
It's such a small thing and nothing to do with anything I want or need but I really look forward to getting it each week and we get a little more excited every time!!
Oh and just a little tip, don't not invite her to something just because it involves alcohol or because you don't think she'll want to whilst pregnant, even if she doesn't want to she will most probably still appreciate the invite, I know I do!
You sound like a lovely friend 🤗

Right now I'd love it if a friend asked me to go out! They keep thinking that because I'm pregnant and can't drink I don't want to go anywhere.... I would be very happy sitting watching them have a few bevs or going to the cinema or generally them just agreeing to seeing me without it seeming like a favour😂

You sound like a lovely friend, she's lucky to have you 😃

You're such a thoughtful friend, she's so lucky! I wish I had asked people to text me while I was at work and remind me to keep drinking!!!

I think I would feel overwhelmed if a friend bought lots of gifts. I would worry about what to give back in return.

I think company (going out) and someone to talk to, especially after the baby comes, it can be really really lonely.

When my friend had her baby after her husband returned to work we had arranged for me to visit. I planned on staying a couple of hours max but when I got there she looked like shit house was a tip and she was so emotional. So I sent her to bed! I absolutely insisted she went to bed no arguments, she breastfed her baby so I just took him into her every time he wanted a feed and took him away again and she went back to sleep. I cleaned the house while she was asleep did some washing and made her some food. She went to bed at 11am and got up at 6pm I wasn’t in any rush to get home and was happy for her to sleep as long as she possibly could.
She tells me all the time how grateful she was for that because on that particular day she wasn’t coping well at all and was desperate for some sleep. I’m currently 33 weeks pregnant with my first baby and she keeps saying she will be around to return the favour and that what I did that day was better than any gift anyone could have got her.

Wow harrypotterfan that is genuinely the best gift I can think of!

So nice of you! I would just say organise things that don’t centre on drinking and pubs... some of my friends don’t understand that it’s not really the same sitting with a lemonade! Planning nice trips to cinema or tea and cake!

I think someone looking after your baby so you can sleep is the best gift ever.

I loved it when friends came round after baby was born and husband was back to work. The best visits were when they brought lunch, held the baby so I could shower. One friend put a load of washing on, got it out and tumble dried it for me. Another brought dinner and held baby so I could eat. Another came round with snacks and made bed, put me in bed and made me comfortable. All the little things. You sound like a wonderful friend, she is lucky to have you.

My friends have been lovely while I have been pregnant. None of them have kids and they have a very active social life but the little things have meant a lot. Someone organised their birthday meal early evening because they knew I was too exhausted to be out late and drive home and on another occasion we went to a gig and my friends insisted on gong in much earlier than normal so we could get seats. We've aksi done lunches out rather than crazy nights out - all at their suggestion. They sound like small things but they take away any awkwardness of me having to ask ppl to do things differently or having to miss out.

For me it's about being able to still be me and not just the 'pregnant friend'. I wouldn't want gifts or anything like that. But everyone is different and I'm sure some people would love that.

Ps you sound like a great friend

I’d have found lots of gifts overwhelming and too much. Company, and take her food for lunch once the baby is born and she’s alone with him/her in the day.