ongratulations – you’re pregnant! During these next nine months, you’re going to go through a lot of changes: Physical, emotional and yes, financial.  Time to start stocking up on all the necessities.  But, before you begin to shop for cribs and strollers, you’ll need to take care of your own maternity needs.

Whether you plan on purchasing a maternity wardrobe, or borrowing from friends or family, here are some suggestions that can help you on this journey – some are necessities; some are just nice to have.

Print this checklist to mark your completed items.
An interactive checklist is coming soon!

	Clothing
	The bare necessities include:
	2-3 maternity/nursing bras
	4-5 pair “Granny” panties, or your favorite ones a size larger
	1 transition band (so you can continue to wear your non-pregnancy clothes for a while longer – and wear your larger maternity clothes earlier)
	1-2 pair of maternity jeans (These will even be great for a few weeks after you give birth. You might prefer a pair with stretch in them.)
	3-4 T-shirts
	2-3 soft yoga/sweat/lounging pants
	Sweater (depending on the season)
	1-2 date night outfits
	Comfortable shoes (you might need to get a pair that’s a half size or so bigger due to swelling feet)
	Work wardrobe (if applicable) – Don’t worry if you don’t have 17 suits; your colleagues will likely be forgiving.
	Comfort
	Full length body pillow (to help you sleep comfortably - the safest way is on your left side)
	Pregnancy wedge (for belly support in bed)
	Nausea band or pregnancy pops (for morning sickness.)
	Stretch mark cream or belly oil (for itchy skin, which may occur as your belly expands)
	Visit The Cradle’s Window Shopping / Maternity
	Nutrition
	Prenatal vitamins
	Folic acid (It's best to start taking folic acid one to three months before getting pregnant. It’s recommended you take 400 mcg while trying to get pregnant, and 600–800 mcg while pregnant.)
	Talk to your health care provider about any questions or concerns.
	Know-How
	Pregnancy books:
	The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy, by Vicki Iovine
	What to Expect When You’re Expecting, by Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, Sandee Hathaway
	The Pregnancy Journal, by A. Christine Harris
	The Baby Name Bible, by Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz (or visit our search engine!)
	The Happiest Baby on the Block, by Dr. Harvey Karp, M.D.
	The Expectant Father, by Armin A. Brott (for dad)
	The Sleepeasy Solution, by Jennifer Waldburger and Jill Spivack (to do a little sleep homework in advance)
	Visit The Cradle's Reference Guide: Books, CDs, and DVDs
	Other
	Cord blood banking kit (see also Should I Bank My Baby’s Cord Blood?)
	The Cradle's Hospital Checklist: What to Pack