The top 10 gift ideas for expectant parents

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Ann Douglas

Being pregnant changes everything about your life, including the types of items that are likely to show up on your holiday wish list this year. While you might be tempted to fill your list with baby-related paraphernalia (everything from clothing to toys to diaper bags!) don't forget to include a few items for yourself, too. After all, there will be plenty of time to go into martyr mode after your baby arrives!

Here are some items you might like to add to your wish list this holiday season.

1. A copy of The Pregnant Woman's Comfort Book by Jennifer Louden. This book is required reading for all moms-to-be who are serious about mastering the art of pampering themselves.

2. A blank book to use as a pregnancy journal. That way, you'll be able to capture your thoughts and feelings about this amazing time in your life.

3. A digital camera or camcorder. If someone in your life is looking to splurge a little, you might ask for an Argus DC 3300 Digital Camera with four hour digital voice recorder. It's a budget-friendly, pocket-sized digital camcorder that is the ideal size to tuck in your labor bag (www.arguscamera.com, $199).

4. A Mother in the Making calendar. The brainchild of first-time mom Leslie Lawrence, the Mother in the Making calendar (www.motherinthemaking.com, $12.95) is designed to encourage you to record your personal thoughts and feelings during the nine-month journey to motherhood. The calendar contains gorgeous color photographs and lots of "from-the-trenches" advice from moms in the know. Of course, if you're into high-tech gizmos, you might want to ask for a Tick Tock Pregnancy Clock (www.munchkininc.com, $30) instead. This duck-shaped electronic gadget features a due date countdown clock, a baby name finder, daily pregnancy tips and more.

5. A maternity/nursing bra or two. A top quality maternity/nursing bra will serve you well down the road and provide you with much-needed comfort today. For the Cadillac of maternity/nursing bras (including some surprisingly funky and sexy numbers!), look for bras from Bravado! Designs (www.bravadodesigns.com, $32).

6. A sexy maternity nightee. A few years ago, there was no such thing as maternity lingerie, but lingerie manufacturers are starting to figure out that pregnant women are, in fact, still sexual beings. If someone wants to pamper you with something slinky and sexy, point them in the direction of the Eberjey Maternity line (www.eberjey.com, $38 to $60).

7. A CD that will prepare you for the joys and challenges of motherhood. Tickle your funny bone by listening to singer/songwriter Nancy White's hilarious ode to motherhood, Momnipotent. You'll want to pay particular attention to "It's So Chic to be Pregnant at Christmas," her humorous take on what it's really like to be mega-pregnant during the holiday season.

8. Home spa essentials. What better way to ward off insomnia and other late pregnancy sleep problems than by finishing off the day with a relaxing massage and some other soothing spa experiences? Either hand your partner a jar of Qiora Slow Down Massage cream (www.qiora.com, $80) or treat yourself to a do-it-yourself massage using the AccuReach Precision Massager (Waterpik, $50), a j-shaped massage device that allows you to hit all those hard-to-reach spots yourself.

And while you're in home spa mode, you'll also want to give your feet a little tender loving care, so be sure to add a Pedicure Foot Spa (Waterpik, $50) to your wish list, too. Other spa-type items that will encourage you to stick with your new "pamper me" program include the Herbal Home Spa by Stephanie Tourles and Norma Pasekoff Weinberg (a guide to some truly decadent home spa treatments) and Your Present: A Half Hour of Peace , a stress-relief CD. Ahhh...

9. A one-of-a-kind fragrance. You may not be able to indulge in fine wine right now, but you can still indulge your taste in the finer things in life by enjoying the luxury of a custom fragrance. Eleuria Inc. will design a custom fragrance that is uniquely you and that even takes into account the fact that you're pregnant. Simply fill out the questionnaire at www.eleuria.com to come up with the unique recipe for your own custom fragrance ($62.50).

10. Comfort kits for labor and beyond. Treat yourself to Special Deliverease (www.fortyweeks.com, $45), a labor comfort kit packed with goodies designed you to cope with whatever challenges Mother Nature throws your way, or Special Momease ($52), a new mother comfort kit designed to nurture you through the rollercoaster ride known as postpartum.

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About the author: Ann Douglas is an award-winning pregnancy and parenting author. She is the author of The Mother of All Pregnancy Books, The Mother of All Baby Books, The Mother of All Toddler Books, The Mother of All Parenting Books, and The Mother of All Pregnancy Organizers (all part of the internationally best-selling The Mother of All® Books series), as well as the two debut titles in the newly launched The Mother of All Solutions series: Sleep Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler: The Ultimate No-Worry Approach for Each Age and Stage (Mother of All Solutions) , and Mealtime Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler, Part of The Mother of All Solutions series: The Ultimate No-Worry Approach for Each Age and Stage (Mother of All Solutions). She is also the co-author of other highly popular titles in the pregnancy and parenting category, including The unofficial Guide to Having a Baby and Trying Again: A Guide to Pregnancy after Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss (both co-authored with John R. Sussman, MD).