11 Pregnancy Journals to Document Your Journey
Preparing for a baby can be a whirlwind. Each week brings unique challenges and experiences—both physical and emotional. Jotting down your thoughts and feelings is a great way to document these changes and express yourself. That’s where a pregnancy journal comes in. Sure, you could scribble down your day-to-day musings on any old blank piece of paper—but a pregnancy journal book is a good option for those who need a little extra guidance. The best pregnancy journals include helpful writing prompts, to-do lists, sections to record major milestones and more. Plus, many memory books for prospective parents are designed with top-quality binding, acid-free paper and hard covers to keep your memories safe for years to come.
Whether you’re a mom-to-be eager to record the whole nine months, a first-time dad keeping a meticulous account for their baby or an adoptive parent keen on chronicling their path to parenthood, there’s a journal to suit your needs. Check out our pick of the best journals for every type of family below.
Compendium “Expecting You” Keepsake Pregnancy Journal
First up, is the Best of Pregnancy award-winning journal by Compendium. The gender-neutral hardcover book is filled with inspiring quotes and open-ended writing prompts to guide and inspire reflections. Plus, it’s small enough to slip into a bag so you’ll have it handy whenever inspiration strikes.
Buy it: $15, buybuyBABY.com
Little Pickle Memories Pregnancy Journal
Pegged as one of the best pregnancy journals by Etsy, this inclusive diary is perfect for LGBTQ+ couples, single parents and families who have conceived using a donor or surrogate. It uses gender-neutral language throughout and is filled with beautiful illustrations, fun facts and pages dedicated to each stage of pregnancy. Buying the journal as a gift? You can add sticker sheets and a baby blanket to the bundle for a truly thoughtful present.
Buy it: $29, Etsy.com
Ziri and Zane Keepsake Pregnancy Journal
Capture the highs and lows of your experience with Ziri and Zane’s pregnancy journal. It has a monthly tracker, space for daily reflections, a birth plan template and blank pages to fill with your thoughts and photographs. Better yet, high-quality paper and a spiral-bound spine make this slim volume super-sturdy.
Buy it: $26, Amazon.com
Promptly Adoption History Journal
Adoptive parents hoping to chart their path to parenthood will adore this pick from Promptly. The adoption journal is designed to capture the unique story of each child and family at every stage of life. It opens with a family tree page and has sections devoted to the adoption process, birth and the day you met your child for the first time. There’s also space to fill in details about your kiddo from day one up to the time they reach the age of 18.
Buy it: $38, Promptly.com
Little Planner Studio Pregnancy Journal
How about a personalized pregnancy diary? This handmade planner can be customized to include your family name and baby’s due date on the front cover. Inside you’ll find weekly pages filled with writing prompts, sections devoted to each trimester, registry and hospital bag checklists and so much more.
Buy it: Starting from $37, Etsy.com
As You Grow: A Modern Memory Book for Baby by Korie Herold
Designed by author and illustrator Korie Herold, this pregnancy journal is one of the best we’ve seen. The monochromatic design is elegant and timeless, while the acid-free paper and sturdy linen cover ensure this pick will stand the test of time. Plus, there are pocket dividers to store and organize keepsakes, like baby’s first sonogram print. The memory book tracks all the major milestones from pregnancy right through to your child’s fifth year.
Buy it: $36, Amazon.com
Pearhead Pregnancy Journal
Capture every step of your pregnancy journey with this guided journal by Pearhead. It has a fill-in section for each month, 20 pages for photos and folders for mementos like baby’s hospital bracelet. The best part? You can display a sonogram photo print on the front cover.
Buy it: $14, Target.com
First-Time Dad Journal: Monthly Prompts and To-Dos For Pregnancy And Beyond by Andrew Shaw
Next up is a pregnancy journal designed for first-time dads. This unique parenting planner includes check-ins for each trimester, which explain what’s happening with Mom and baby at each stage—genius! There’s also space for fathers to jot down their thoughts and feelings each month, with the help of writing prompts. We also love that this book includes practical exercises and checklists to help men prepare for parenthood.
Buy it: $15, Amazon.com
Little Pickles Memories Adoption Journal
This journal for adoptive parents has tons of five-star reviews—and with good reason. Designed with all types of families in mind, this book refers to you as ‘parent,’ rather than Mom or Dad, and there’s a space to add your preferred moniker at the beginning. Featuring over 47 illustrated pages, parents can record the adoption process and the major milestones that happened up to the one year anniversary of their child’s arrival.
Buy it: Starting from $29, Etsy.com
Unconditional ROSIE My 9 Month Journey Pregnancy Journal and Baby Memory Book
Capture your memories in full-color with this vibrant pregnancy journal that doubles as a scrapbook. Fill in a fresh page each month using the helpful questions, and see how big your baby is in comparison to fruit and veggies. Each journal page has a section where you can add special photos from your pregnancy, so you can view your progress at a glance.
Buy it: $19, Amazon.com
Chronicle Books Mom’s One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book
Short on time? Take five minutes out of your day to fill in this beautiful journal with one thought, memory or milestone. Spanning five years—from pregnancy to parenthood—this diary is the perfect choice for busy moms.
Buy it: $12, Amazon.com
Plus, more from The Bump:
The Best Pregnancy Books to Answer Your Next Nine Months of Questions
