Why You Should Journal During Pregnancy and New Parenthood: Tips and Prompts
What are the benefits of journaling for new and expecting moms?
Pregnancy and motherhood introduce you to so many new emotions at all ends of the spectrum. Giving yourself an outlet to explore those feelings can help keep them from getting overwhelming. In your journal, you can honestly express your every hope and fear without holding back or worrying what others may think.
Journaling has been shown to help with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. By writing your thoughts down, you can work through issues you’re dealing with and start healing from past emotional or traumatic events. Sometimes, simply writing down what’s bothering you can give you the closure you need to move on.
Your journal is also great for organizing your thoughts, schedule, and baby prep to-do list. Use its pages as a space to set goals, track your pregnancy symptoms and progress, and record special memories.
Journal tips for new and expecting moms
There are no rules for journaling, including how often or how much you write. It’s all about finding a routine that works best for you and sticking with it. For some people, that means buying a personalized pregnancy journal complete with pre-written prompts. Others may have more success typing a few thoughts in their Notes app each night before they go to bed.
Don’t pressure yourself to write down everything. Instead, set a timer for 5 to 10 minutes and jot down whatever’s at the front of your mind. You can always write for longer if you’re feeling inspired.
Resist the urge to edit yourself. You’re not trying to publish a book here. Your journal is all about caring for your mental health, so honest, open reflection is all you need. If you’re having trouble getting started, try using different prompts, listing things you’re grateful for, or even letting your mind wander while you doodle.
Explore your creativity. Channel your experiences into poetry, song lyrics, sketches, or whatever art form you find most inspiring. You never have to show your work to anyone, so let your imagination run wild!
Journal prompts for pregnancy and parenthood
When you’re a new mom, you may have to squeeze your journal practice into the spare minutes between feeding, diaper changes, and household chores. Kickstart your writing brain with these journal prompts for first-time mothers:
- Today, I am proud of myself for…
- My favorite and least favorite parts of my new daily routine are…
- The most surprising thing about being a new parent is…
- Today, my favorite moment with my baby was…
- If I could ask for help with one thing, it would be…
- I wish I had more time for…
- I feel most loved when…
- I can care for my mental health by…
- If I could give one piece of advice to expecting parents, it would be…
Pregnancy has just as many milestones to celebrate and reflect on as new motherhood. Try these pregnancy journal prompts:
- My top symptoms today were…
- I found out something new about pregnancy/childbirth/parenthood today…
- So far, my favorite pregnancy memory is…
- Today, I feel ______ about becoming a parent because…
- Something from my childhood that I want to share with my baby is…
- At my doctor’s appointment today…
- We bought some new things for the nursery today, and it made me feel…
- Today was special because…
- I hope I can teach my baby…
Years from now, you’ll be able to look back through your journal and remember the magical, occasionally-overwhelming time you spent preparing for your first child and adjusting to new motherhood. One day you’ll miss these times, but your journal will always be there to take you on a trip down memory lane.
Here’s our favorite pregnancy journal prompt: “Today, I found out that I’m having a…!” If you’re at least 7 weeks into your pregnancy and still waiting to learn your baby’s sex, our Juno Birch™ Fetal Gender Test can help. Learn more here!
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Please note: JunoDx.com and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
