By Mariel Uyquiengco
In this age of smartphones and tablets, information and tools are literally right on our fingertips. Through the Internet, we now go through different life experiences armed with knowledge and inspiration from people we have never even met. Being pregnant is one such experience. Women previously relied solely on their mothers, sisters, and girlfriends to help them through pregnancy. These days, one’s smartphone can very well be one’s best friend, with the abundance of apps for pregnant women providing a wealth of timely information.
We compiled categories of useful apps for pregnant women and picked specific ones for your consideration. Note that these pregnancy apps will never replace your doctor’s advice, especially in the matter of your health and nutrition. Proceed with care and consult your obstetrician.
Pregnancy Journal
Document every aspect of your pregnancy with a digital pregnancy journal. “Baby Bump,” which is available for both Android and iOS, lets you track your progress and at the same time gives you information based on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Expect to find images of how your baby might already look like every week and receive tips about his development. “Baby Bump” also allows users to track weight, mood, cravings, etc. to give you and your child a glimpse of the time that was! If you upgrade, you can get access to a contraction tracker that will aid you on your big day.
Pregnancy Food Guide
Your nutrition as an expecting mother is of utmost importance as what you ingest during your pregnancy may affect your unborn child. Get quick tips from apps such as “Pregnancy Food No-No’s” (iOS) and “Pregnancy Food Guide” (Android). These are especially helpful when you are out on a restaurant and wondering whether you can have a taste of that yummy blue cheese (the answer is no!).
Pregnancy Exercise
Exercise should be part of a pregnant woman’s daily routine. It is safe and highly encouraged. Get instructions on what you can and cannot do during each of your trimester. “Pregnancy Workout Advisor” features cardiovascular exercises such as wall push-ups, and comes with a weight tracker and a list of activities to avoid. If you are into a more gentle form of exercise, “Pregnancy Care (Prenatal Yoga)” might be for you. It features photos of each pose together with an explanation of how it helps in making you feel more comfortable. The two apps are available for both iOS and Android.
Pregnancy Music
While classical music is claimed to positively affect babies’ brain development, its calming and relaxing effect is enough reason to start enjoying it during your pregnancy. If you do not have your own collection, “Classical Music for Mommies,” provides mommies a wonderful selection of soothing music that will help you manage your stress and stay in calm zone during pregnancy. A stress-free mom is a happy and healthy baby! This app is available for both iOS and Android.
Time Lapse Photo Journal
With all that hard work taking care of yourself and your baby, celebrate pregnancy by making it seem like a breeze with a pregnancy time lapse app. Set iOS-compatible “Watch Me Change” app to remind you to take a picture of your growing belly every day or every week, depending on how often you want to take your photo. At the end of 9 months, the photos are converted into a 10-second video showcasing the beautiful changes that happened in your body. This keepsake will fascinate your child as you watch it together around his birthday.
Pregnancy is a time of extremes for women, as feelings can seesaw from joy to fear in a matter of days. Support is much needed and appreciated. For the modern mom, pregnancy apps can make one’s journey to motherhood less scary and even fun.
Mariel Uyquiengco hopes to inspire parents to be their children’s first and best teacher. She does this through her blog and online children’s book shop www.thelearningbasket.com and by giving parenting seminars about early childhood development, preschool homeschool, and raising children to be readers.